San Marino Overcharging for Solar Permit Fees

San Marino is number three in a list of 42 Los Angeles County cities overcharging for residential solar installation permit fees, according to a new Sierra Club report referenced in the Los Angeles Times.

“The residential permit process for a 3 kilowatt solar installation runs an average of $512, the group said. Los Angeles’s rate is $248--down from $308 in 2009,” the LA Times reported.

San Marino is ranked as having the third highest fee in the county at $1,088 (see table to the right), behind Irwindale and Lawndale.

“High fees can discourage businesses and residences from making good, long-term, high-yield investments in solar power,” the Sierra Club report noted.

It is unclear why San Marino charges the current amount for residential solar permit fees.

Patch is following up on this story and will provide information behind the reason for San Marino’s high fees as it becomes available.