Glendale · Solar permits
Solar permits in Glendale
How to install a solar in Glendale: permit pathway through Glendale Community Development Department, drawings required, local watch-outs, and a free address-level wizard for your Glendale lot.
Glendale context
Glendale's ADU ordinance lives in Glendale Municipal Code Title 30. The city is geographically split by the 134 freeway: south of the 134 is denser, more walkable, and largely on the flats; north of the 134 climbs into the Verdugo foothills with hillside-area rules. Plan check is typically 45-60 days for ADUs from a complete submittal. The city maintains an online portal for ADU submittals.
- Permit agency
- Glendale Community Development Department
- Median lot size
- 6,800 sqft
Drawings you'll need to submit
Most LA rooftop solar permits issue same-day via SolarAPP+. We generate the site plan + roof plan + fire setbacks — free.
- Site plan (parcel layout + setbacks)
- Roof plan
- Panel layout diagram
- Fire-setback diagram (ridges + eaves)
- Single-line electrical
PermitPathLA generates the site plan free from your Glendale address. The other drawings come from your architect or plan firm — we list pre-approved options in the wizard.
Glendale watch-outs for solar
Overlays that hit a meaningful share of Glendale lots
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)~22% of parcels
Verdugo foothill parcels north of Mountain Street + the Chevy Chase area sit in the VHFHSZ. Chapter 7A construction adds roughly 7% to build cost.
Hillside Development Standards (HDS)~28% of parcels
Slopes over 25% trigger lot-coverage + ridgeline-protection rules + a geotech / soils report. Common combo with VHFHSZ.
Adams Hill conservation overlay~4% of parcels
Small but architecturally-protected pocket east of downtown. Exterior-visible ADUs face design review for compatibility with historic Craftsman / California-bungalow patterns.
Local quirks
Verdugo hillside requires a soils report
If your lot is north of Mountain Street and slopes more than 25%, expect to budget $3,000-$8,000 for a geotechnical / soils engineering report before the building permit issues. Adds 4-8 weeks to your schedule.
Glendale Unified school fees apply
Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) charges school facility fees on new ADUs over 500 sqft, typically around $4.79/sqft.
South Glendale walkability supports the transit parking exemption
Lots in central + south Glendale within 0.5 mi of a major transit corridor (Brand Blvd, Colorado Blvd, the Beeline trunk routes) qualify for the state Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) parking exemption. Confirm with Community Development for your specific parcel.
Run your Glendale address through the wizard
We pull your parcel polygon from county GIS, apply Glendale ordinance + state baseline rules, generate the site plan, and walk you through the Glendale Community Development Department submittal. Free, no signup.