California bill could make remote solar inspections possible statewide

California lawmakers have passed a bill, AB 1738, that would let cities and counties offer remote inspections for home solar panels, battery storage, heat pump water heaters, heat pump heating and cooling systems, and new roofs. Instead of waiting for an inspector to show up in person, a homeowner or contractor could get the work checked over video or photos. The bill now goes to Governor Gavin Newsom for signature.

The idea is to cut the wait and cost tied to permitting. A study cited by the bill's supporters found contractors in California typically wait two to six hours for in-person inspections, which adds to the price of home upgrades. Nineteen California jurisdictions already allow remote inspections for some projects, including Los Angeles County, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, Santa Rosa, and Placer County. In Los Angeles County, 20 to 40% of inspections are now done remotely, most often for water heaters, solar and battery systems, electrical work, and minor plumbing or mechanical jobs.

If signed, AB 1738 would let any city or county in the state offer this option, though each local building department would decide for itself whether to use it, and inspectors could still require an in-person visit if needed. For homeowners planning a solar, heat pump, or roof project, this could mean less time waiting around for a scheduled inspection, but whether it applies depends on whether your local jurisdiction chooses to adopt it.