Glendale · Building on your lot

Solar panels and EV chargers in Glendale

Glendale's own rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Glendale Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Glendale's code says

Glendale code What Glendale's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	Not allowed in the street front setback, except over a building already there and up to 1 foot beyond it. Applies: A building in the street front setback by variance, administrative exception or nonconforming status. § 30.30.050 · code text solar energy equipment may extend over those portions of the building that are located within the street front setback area and may extend a maximum of one foot beyond the perimeter of those portions of the building that are located within the street front setback area. Not allowed in the street side setback, except over a building already there and 1 foot beyond it. Applies: A building in the street side setback by variance, administrative exception or nonconforming status. § 30.30.050 · code text solar energy equipment may extend over those portions of the building that are located within the street side setback area and may extend over one foot beyond the perimeter of those portions of the building that are located within the street side setback area. The required interior setback is reduced by 30% for solar energy equipment. § 30.30.050 · code text The required interior setback shall be reduced by 30% or as follows: If a building is located within the interior setback area by variance, administrative exception, or nonconforming entitlement, solar energy equipment may extend over those portions of the building that are located within the interior setback area and may extend a maximum of one foot beyond the perimeter of those portions of the building that are located within the interior setback area. May extend over a building already in the interior setback and up to 1 foot beyond it. Applies: A building in the interior setback by variance, administrative exception or nonconforming status. § 30.30.050 · code text solar energy equipment may extend over those portions of the building that are located within the interior setback area and may extend a maximum of one foot beyond the perimeter of those portions of the building that are located within the interior setback area. At most 15 feet high. Applies: Detached solar energy equipment. § 30.30.050 · code text Solar energy equipment that is detached shall not exceed a height of 15 feet. At most 15 feet above the building's allowable height. Applies: Solar energy equipment attached to a building. § 30.30.050 · code text Solar energy equipment that is attached to a building shall not exceed a height of 15 feet in addition to the allowable height of the building. At most 15 feet above the building's height. Applies: The building height was approved by variance or administrative exception, or is nonconforming. § 30.30.050 · code text Solar energy equipment that is attached to a building shall not exceed a height of 15 feet in addition to the height of the building when the building height is approved by variance or administrative exception, or when the building height has a nonconforming status. At most 15 feet above the allowable height of the deck or pool. Applies: Solar energy equipment attached to a deck or pool. § 30.30.050 · code text Solar energy equipment that is attached to a deck or pool shall not exceed a height of 15 feet in addition to the allowable height of the deck or pool. At most 15 feet above the height of the deck or pool. Applies: The deck or pool height was approved by variance or administrative exception, or is nonconforming. § 30.30.050 · code text Solar energy equipment that is attached to a deck or pool shall not exceed a height of 15 feet in addition to the height of the deck or pool when the deck or pool height is approved by variance or administrative exception, or when the deck or pool height has a nonconforming status. Allowable lot coverage increases by 30%, for solar energy equipment only. Applies: Where lot coverage standards apply. § 30.30.050 · code text Where lot coverage standards are applicable, an increase of 30% to the allowable lot coverage shall be permitted.
Solar permit process	Solar energy equipment is not subject to development plan review. § 30.30.050 · code text Solar energy equipment shall not be subject to the development plan review process of Section 30.15.040(F) in this title.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Glendale?

Glendale's code: Solar energy equipment is not subject to development plan review. (§ 30.30.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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Glendale Municipal Code — full text