California moves to cut red tape for heat pumps, solar, and more

Two bills awaiting Governor Newsom's signature could make it cheaper and faster for California homeowners to install heat pumps, heat-pump water heaters, rooftop solar, and home batteries. Newsom has until September 30 to sign the Heat Pump Access Act (SB222) and the Remote Virtual Inspections Act (AB1738). Together, analysts say the bills could save homeowners hundreds of dollars, and in some cases more than $1,000, per project.

The Heat Pump Access Act would replace inconsistent permitting rules across roughly 600 California cities and counties with a single statewide standard. Larger cities and counties would have to offer expedited or instant permitting by July 2028, limit projects to one permit instead of several, and cap permit fees at $150 for a heat-pump water heater and $200 for a heat pump. It would also stop homeowners associations from blocking or delaying these installations — one HOA held up a retiree's heat pump for seven months, costing her nearly $6,500 in incentives.

The second bill would let homeowners request a remote inspection — done over a video call instead of an in-person visit — for heat pump, solar, and battery projects. In-person inspections often mean waiting hours for a check that takes minutes, adding an estimated $600 to $1,000 to project costs. Larger cities and counties would need to offer this option by January 2028, though inspectors could still require an in-person visit if needed. Several other states have passed similar streamlining laws for solar and battery permitting, and supporters expect more to follow if California's bills become law.