Government Code section 66475.3

For divisions of land for which a tentative map is required pursuant to Section 66426, the legislative body of a city or county may by ordinance require, as a condition of the approval of a tentative map, the dedication of easements for the purpose of assuring that each parcel or unit in the subdivision for which approval is sought shall have the right to receive sunlight across adjacent parcels or units in the subdivision for which approval is sought for any solar energy system, provided that such ordinance contains all of the following:

(1)

Specifies the standards for determining the exact dimensions and locations of such easements.

(2)

Specifies any restrictions on vegetation, buildings and other objects which would obstruct the passage of sunlight through the easement.

(3)

Specifies the terms or conditions, if any, under which an easement may be revised or terminated.

(4)

Specifies that in establishing such easements consideration shall be given to feasibility, contour, configuration of the parcel to be divided, and cost, and that such easements shall not result in reducing allowable densities or the percentage of a lot which may be occupied by a building or a structure under applicable planning and zoning in force at the time such tentative map is filed.

(5)

Specifies that the ordinance is not applicable to condominium projects which consist of the subdivision of airspace in an existing building where no new structures are added.
For the purposes of this section, “solar energy systems” shall be defined as set forth in Section 801.5 of the Civil Code.
For purposes of this section, “feasibility” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 66473.1 for the term “feasible”.

Source: Section 66475.3, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=66475.­3.­ (accessed May 12, 2025).

Last Updated

May 12, 2025

§ 66475.3’s source at ca​.gov