San Diego Solar Permits

According to Cal Fire’s Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guidelines below are illustrations of currently enforced fire setbacks/pathways for residential solar system installations. Any roof with pitch equal or less than 2 in 12 (9.46 degrees) doesn’t require any setbacks/pathways.

Full text of the California Residential Code regarding the access and pathways for residential – single and two family dwellings:

R324.6 Roof access and pathways

Roof access, pathways, and setback requirements shall be provided in accordance with Sections R324.6.1 through R324.6.2.1. Access and minimum spacing shall be required to provide emergency access to the roof, to provide pathways to specific areas of the roof, to provide for smoke ventilation opportunity areas, and to provide emergency egress from the roof. 

Exceptions:

1. Detached, nonhabitable structures, including but not limited to detached garages, parking shade structures, carports, solar trelisses, and similar structures, shall not be required to provide roof access.
2. Roof access, pathways, and setbacks need not be provided where the fire code official has determined that rooftop operations will not be employed.
3. These requirements shall not apply to roofs with slopes of 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2: 12) or less.

R324.6.1 Pathways

Not less than two minimum 36-inchwide (914 mm) pathways on separate roof planes, from lowest roof edge to ridge, shall be provided on all buildings. At least one pathway shall be provided on the street or driveway side of the roof. For each roof plane with a photovoltaic array, a minimum 36-inch-wide (914 mm) pathway from the lowest roof edge to ridge shall be provided on the same roof plane as the photovoltaic array, on an adjacent roof plane, or straddling the same and adjacent roof planes. Pathways shall be over areas capable of supporting fire fighters accessing the roof. Pathways shall be located in areas with minimal obstructions such as vent pipes, conduit, or mechanical equipment.

R324.6.2 Setback at ridge

For photovoltaic arrays occupying not more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear set back is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge. For photovoltaic arrays occupying more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear set back is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.

R324.6.2.1 Alternative setback at ridge

Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed within the dwelling in accordance with NFPA 13D setbacks at ridges shall conform with one of the following:

1. For photovoltaic arrays occupying not more than 66 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.
2. For photovoltaic arrays occupying more than 66 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.