Santa Cruz County - Solar Access Protection

Santa Cruz law aims to protect and encourage the successful use of solar energy in residential construction by requiring that solar energy systems be protected from shading by vegetation and structures. 

The County's Building Regulations Code requires that any obstructions of solar access to a registered solar energy system be mitigated to the maximum extent feasible during the review of any permit to construct a building, wall, fence or other structure, or part of structure on a property that could have an impact on the system. The Code also contains a provision to protect registered systems from shading by vegetation on neighboring property.