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California / Local permit guide

Novato Solar Permit Guide

Your local requirements. The official sources. A clearer next step.

Permit authority
City of Novato Building DivisionSource linked
Electric utility
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)Source linked
Review time
Same-day review for eligible expedited-permit projectsNo verified standard-path permit timeline is available.See source scope and conditions below.
See your permit path

Marin County · Explore related utility guides

Novato Solar Permit Checklist
Printed from mygridpermit.com/california/novato/solar-permit-guide/ · Last verified 2026-08-09 · City of Novato Building Division / PG&E · Verify current requirements before relying on this checklist. Programs and fees change.
Source healthLast verified 2026-08-097 official sources5 of 6 core facts verified
Jump to a section
Informational only. This page is not legal, engineering, or permit advice. Every fact below links to the official source it came from and shows how confident we are in it. Verify current requirements with City of Novato Building Division and PG&E before making a decision.

Research coverage

Your permit path,
at a glance.

This shows what GridPermit has verified for Novato. It does not show the status of a specific project.

  1. 01Permit authorityCity of Novato Building DivisionAuthority sourced
  2. 02DocumentsChecklist includes conditional itemsConditions apply
  3. 03InspectionInspection guidance for NovatoSteps sourced
  4. 04Utility & PTOPacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)Utility path sourced

01 / Know your path

Two approvals.
One project.

Local authority

Permit & inspection

City of Novato Building Division

Local requirements
Electric utility

Interconnection & PTO

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

Utility requirements

A local permit and utility permission to operate are different approvals. Check the local sequence and requirements below.

How to read this guide

GridPermit collects California residential solar and permitting facts directly from official sources (city, county, and state government sites, utilities, and public utilities commissions) and shows only what we can verify, with a confidence score and a link to where it came from. Nothing here is estimated or inferred beyond what's stated below. See our methodology for the rules this page follows.

Permit timeline

Same-day review for eligible expedited-permit projects

No verified standard-path permit timeline is available.

The City's own Residential Solar page describes Solar APP+ as providing 'instantaneous review' and states it 'Expedites installation with instant City permit issuance.'

Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.8)

Source(s): Residential Solar

Battery/solar incentive program on record

California SGIP - current category and budget check required

New applications and waitlist applications for ratepayer-funded SGIP budgets closed on December 30, 2025. New AB 209 applications have a June 30, 2028 deadline. The 2026 SGIP rate table publishes $3.10/W for solar and $1.10/Wh for storage in applicable Residential Solar and Storage Equity categories. Household eligibility and live budget availability vary by category and program administrator; check the official Program Metrics tracker before relying on an incentive.

Status on file: unknown. Verify current status before relying on this.

Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.9)

Source(s): About, 2026 Self-Generation Incentive Program Handbook, SGIP Program Metrics and Incentive Step Tracker

02 / Prepare your application

What you need.

0 of 4 markedSaved only on this device; not confirmation of permit readiness.

Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.85)

Source(s): Residential Solar

Permit fees

Not yet verified.

Rebates on record

Rebates on record

Not yet verified.

Utility and generation supplier

Utility

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

Novato is a well-documented Marin County city within PG&E's core Northern California service territory.

Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.9)

Source(s): Residential Solar

Generation supplier

MCE (Marin Clean Energy) (Community Choice Aggregator)

MCE's own service-area page confirms Novato as one of Marin County's member communities. PG&E continues to deliver the power and provide billing/customer service.

Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.85)

Source(s): Service Area

Interconnection

https://www.pge.com/en/save-energy-and-money/rebates-and-incentives/nem.html

PG&E's own utility-wide Net Energy Metering (NEM) program page.

Confidence: Medium (0.55)

Permit authority

City of Novato Building Division

Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.9)

Source(s): Residential Solar

Permit page: https://www.novato.gov/government/community-development/building-division/residential-solar

Inspection steps

  • Contractors must first obtain and pass a final inspection from the Novato Fire Protection District (call 415-878-2623, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; minimum 48 hours' notice) before requesting a City inspection
  • Once the Fire final inspection has passed, schedule the City of Novato Building inspection via the online permit portal
Sources & confidence

Confidence: High (0.8)

Source(s): Residential Solar

Eligibility constraints

  • Property types: residential
  • Max system size (AC): Not yet verified.
  • Max system size (DC): Not yet verified.
  • Max thermal capacity: Not yet verified.
  • Program/pathway: SolarAPP+ (licensed contractors) or Standard Building Permit (owner-builders/non-licensed)
  • Other conditions:
    • Approved contractors may apply online via SolarAPP+; owner-builder/non-licensed applications must go through the Standard Permit process
Sources & confidence

Confidence: Medium (0.75)

Source(s): Residential Solar

Official contacts

Official contacts

Confidence: High (0.85)

Need a solar installer who handles permits in Novato?

EnergySage is an independent solar marketplace where you can request property-specific pricing from installers familiar with local permitting.

Compare quotes from solar installers →

You'll continue on EnergySage's website. GridPermit links to EnergySage as an independent third-party resource. This link is not currently tracked for compensation.

Official sources

Official sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What utility serves solar customers in Novato, California?

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is the interconnection and distribution utility for Novato. The default electricity generation supplier is MCE (Marin Clean Energy), a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA), separate from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).

How long does an expedited-eligible residential solar permit take in Novato?

The City's own Residential Solar page describes Solar APP+ as providing 'instantaneous review' and states it 'Expedites installation with instant City permit issuance.' No verified standard-path permit timeline is available.

What documents are required for a solar permit in Novato?

Commonly required documents include: SolarAPP+ checklist; Solar plan set; Specification sheets; Active Novato Permits account (contractor).

Who do I contact about solar permits in Novato?

City of Novato Chief Building Official, phone 415-899-8989, email permitinfo@novato.gov.

Disclaimers: This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal, engineering, financial, tax, or permit advice. GridPermit is not a solar installer, contractor, engineering firm, public utility, or government agency. Requirements, fees, and program terms change. Verify current requirements with City of Novato Building Division and PG&E before starting a project. Last verified 2026-08-09.

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