How long does a solar permit take?

Solar permit timelines vary depending on the AHJ and the completeness of the permit set. Some jurisdictions approve in days, while others take weeks due to workload and documentation requirements.

What is included in a solar permit package?

A solar permit package typically includes a site plan, electrical single-line diagram, equipment datasheets, labeling details, and structural information. Many AHJs also expect rapid shutdown documentation and clear conductor and overcurrent details.

Do I need a PE stamp for a solar permit?

Some AHJs require a PE stamp for commercial systems, certain roof types, high-wind or high-snow zones, or projects with structural complexity. Confirm local solar permit requirements before submitting to avoid resubmittals.

What causes most solar permit rejections?

Common rejection reasons include missing electrical details, mismatched equipment cut sheets, incomplete structural documentation, and labeling or rapid shutdown errors. A consistent solar permitting process and permit-ready plan sets reduce back-and-forth.

How much does a solar panel permit cost?

Solar panel permit cost varies by AHJ and project scope. Residential permit fees are often a few hundred dollars, while commercial permits can be higher due to additional plan review and engineering requirements.

What is a PV permit package?

A PV permit package is the documentation set submitted for approval, often including PV system design details, electrical diagrams, site layout, and equipment specifications. Many contractors use solar permitting services to standardize the package and reduce corrections.

Do solar permitting services help commercial projects too?

Yes—commercial solar permitting often involves more complex electrical and structural details, plus stricter utility and AHJ requirements. Commercial solar permit services can help assemble consistent permit plans and drawings and coordinate required engineering review.

How To Get a Solar Permit: Solar Panel Permit Requirements

Q: What permits do I need to install solar panels?

Most projects need an electrical permit and a building permit for solar panel installation, though requirements vary by AHJ. Some locations also require fire review, zoning approval, or utility documentation as part of the solar permit application.

Sarah Lozanova
Jan 26
8 min read

Updated: Feb 1

Table of Contents

-- What Is a Solar Permit?

-- Solar Panel Permit Requirements

-- Submitting a PV Permit Application

-- What Delays Solar Permit Approvals

-- Commercial Solar Permitting

-- Solar Permitting Services

-- FAQs on Solar Permitting

Before breaking ground on a new installation, contractors must secure a solar permit from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Because solar panel permit requirements and building codes vary significantly across different municipalities, understanding local rules is essential for project success. Zoning laws, fire codes, and utility standards all influence whether a project is approved on the first submission.

In many regions, the solar panel permit cost and review timeline can heavily impact project budgets. While some jurisdictions have implemented streamlined digital workflows for solar permitting, others still rely on manual reviews that can take several weeks. Navigating these administrative differences correctly is the key to ensuring a smooth installation and avoiding costly project delays.

GreenLancer has supported thousands of contractors with professional solar permitting services since 2013. We have direct experience managing solar permit packages in all 50 states and understand exactly what AHJs look for during review. Our expertise helps you reduce soft costs, avoid frustrating resubmittals, and move your projects toward installation faster.

What Is a Solar Permit: Understanding the Solar Permitting Process

A solar permit is the formal approval required from your local AHJ before a solar installation can move forward. It typically covers both electrical and structural safety, ensuring the system complies with building and fire codes. Installers usually submit a full solar permit package, which includes site plans, wiring diagrams, and equipment details.

You’ll need a solar panel permit for most projects, whether it’s a rooftop residential array, a ground-mount system, a carport installation, or when adding batteries and backup generators. Even electrical service upgrades tied to solar require permitting.

Once approved, the permit allows the installation to begin. After the system is built, the AHJ will return for inspection to confirm compliance. Passing this inspection is the final step before energizing the system and moving toward interconnection.

Solar Panel Permit Requirements: What Most AHJs Require

Every Authority Having Jurisdiction has its own checklist, but most solar panel permit requirements follow a similar pattern. Having a complete solar permit package ready helps reduce review time and avoid costly resubmissions.

Core Documents

Most permit reviewers expect to see:

Site plan & roof layout showing setbacks, fire pathways, and equipment placement
Electrical one-line and three-line diagrams that detail the PV system wiring
Module, inverter, and racking spec sheets with engineering and attachment details
Structural load calculations covering dead/live loads, wind, snow, uplift, and pull-out forces
Rapid shutdown and labeling plan to meet NEC requirements
Battery integration details (if applicable), including UL listings, clearances, and disconnects

Variants by Project Type

Permit requirements can shift depending on the system:

Residential vs commercial projects may have different plan reviewers, thresholds for PE stamps, and fire department access standards
Ground-mounted systems often need foundation details, geotechnical reports, fencing, and additional NEC 690/705 compliance notes

Common Local Add-Ons

Some jurisdictions ask for extra documentation, including:

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) materials for fire resistance
Historic district design reviews if the project is in a protected area
Coastal wind zone calculations where high-speed wind events are common

With over a decade of experience, GreenLancer helps streamline the solar permitting process so you can scale your operations without unnecessary delays or compliance risks. Whether you're tackling a single rooftop or a portfolio of projects, our team ensures your solar permits are accurate, code-compliant, and submitted on time.

Create a GreenLancer account to start shopping for affordable, scalable solar permit solutions today.

How to Submit a Solar Panel Permit Application

The journey from a signed contract to a Notice to Proceed (NTP) depends entirely on how efficiently you navigate the solar permitting process. While every jurisdiction has its own quirks, most follow this standard sequence for a successful solar panel permit application.

🟩 Step 1: Complete the Solar Permit Application

The process begins with the official application form provided by your local AHJ. This document captures essential project metadata, including the system size (kW), property zoning, and primary contractor contact information.

🟩 Step 2: Develop Detailed Solar Permit Plans

In this stage, you create the visual blueprint of the project. Your solar permit plans must include a comprehensive site plan and solar panel layout. These documents illustrate the exact placement of modules on the property, ensuring all fire setbacks and orientation requirements meet local building codes.

🟩 Step 3: Finalize Solar Permit Drawings and Engineering

Reviewers require technical solar permit drawings that detail the "bones" of the system. This includes:

Structural Drawings: Verified roof load specifications and engineering calculations to ensure the building can support the weight of the array.
Electrical Diagrams: Professional one-line or three-line diagrams showing the PV system’s connection to the inverter and the main service panel.

🟩 Step 4: Compile the Equipment Spec Sheets

Your PV permit package must include manufacturer specification sheets for all major components. This confirms to the inspector that your modules, inverters, racking, and rapid-shutdown devices are UL-listed and compliant with the current National Electrical Code (NEC).

🟩 Step 5: Verify Licensing and Insurance

To authorize solar permit services, most municipalities require a copy of the contractor's active license and proof of general liability insurance. Some jurisdictions may also require a specific electrical or solar specialty license.

🟩 Step 6: Pay the Solar Panel Permit Fee and Submit

The final administrative hurdle is the solar panel permit cost. Fees vary—some AHJs charge a flat rate, while others base the cost on the total valuation of the project. Once the fee is paid and the application is submitted, the AHJ begins its formal review.

🟩 Step 7: Receive Approval and Notice to Proceed

Once the AHJ approves your solar permit package, you receive the physical permit. For many contractors, this approval serves as the internal Notice to Proceed, signaling that the crew can safely begin the installation without the risk of "stop-work" orders.

This need for administrative accuracy isn't unique to solar; it's just as critical when finalizing basement remodeling permit plans to ensure every structural and electrical detail meets local building codes before framing begins.

Timelines, Costs & What Delays Solar Permit Approvals

Getting a solar panel permit approved isn’t always quick. Actual timelines and costs depend on the jurisdiction, but SolarTRACE and NREL data show wide variation across the U.S. Being prepared with a complete solar permitting package is the best way to prevent delays.

Typical Timelines

Same-day approvals: Some AHJs using SolarAPP+ or streamlined programs
3–7 business days: Standard residential reviews in most metro areas
2–3 weeks: Larger commercial systems or jurisdictions requiring PE stamps and fire reviews

Typical Costs

Flat permit fees – Common for residential rooftop systems
Valuation-based fees – Tied to system cost or size
Plan check fees – Added when a detailed structural or electrical review is required
Re-inspection fees – Charged if initial submissions are incomplete or corrections are missed

Top 10 Drivers of Solar Permit Delays

Even experienced installers encounter friction during the solar permitting process. The most frequent reasons a solar permit application is flagged or denied include:

Missing PE Structural Calculations: Failing to provide professional engineer (PE) stamps for load-bearing capacity is the top reason for a "correction required" status.
Inaccurate Solar Permit Drawings: Discrepancies between the site plan and the actual electrical one-line diagrams lead to immediate rejection.
Incorrect Conductor or OCPD Sizing: Electrical reviewers frequently flag mismatched wiring or overcurrent protection devices (OCPD) that don't meet NEC 690/705 standards.
Incomplete Equipment Spec Sheets: Submitting outdated or partial datasheets for modules, inverters, or racking systems.
Fire Access Violations: Failing to account for the specific 3-foot rooftop pathways and setbacks required by local fire codes.
Omitted Rapid Shutdown Details: Not including a compliant rapid shutdown plan—a critical safety component for both residential and commercial solar permitting.
Vague Labeling Plans: Missing or incorrectly worded safety labels on the electrical drawings.
Battery Storage Oversights: Overlooking specific clearance, ventilation, or disconnect requirements when adding energy storage to a PV permit package.
Insufficient Anchorage Details: Providing vague attachment specs that don't account for local wind speeds or snow loads.
Administrative Mismatches: Simple errors like an expired contractor license or a mismatch between the license holder and the permit applicant.

Commercial Solar Permit Services & Complex Project Requirements

Commercial projects come with more complexity than a typical residential solar permit. AHJs often have stricter review thresholds and require additional documentation to ensure safety and code compliance.

Trigger thresholds: Larger systems often require professional engineer (PE) seals, special inspections, and detailed fire access lanes to satisfy local code requirements.

Parking canopies: Solar carports and canopies demand foundation calculations, wind exposure analyses, and integration of lighting circuits. These structures are scrutinized more heavily than standard rooftop systems.

Coordination: A commercial solar permit usually involves multiple stakeholders. Contractors must work closely with the AHJ, fire marshal, utility (for pre-application or interconnection approvals), and property owners/landlords to align on design and execution.

Scalable Solar Permitting Services

Outsourcing to professional solar permit services is the most efficient way to keep a project moving, especially after a permit denial. GreenLancer provides a nationwide network of experts specializing in solar design and permitting to help you resolve challenges and scale your operations quickly.

GreenLancer can help you:

Review Local Requirements: Our design partners analyze specific solar panel permit requirements to identify why an application was flagged. We provide expert guidance on revising plans to meet evolving local codes and zoning regulations.
Optimize Solar Permit Drawings: If a system design is the bottleneck, we provide updated solar permit plans that satisfy the AHJ. We ensure every set aligns with the latest structural, electrical, and fire safety standards.
Compile a Complete PV Permit Package: A common cause of delays is incomplete paperwork. We assist in gathering all necessary solar permit drawings, engineering calculations, and equipment specs to ensure your submittal meets every item on the local checklist.
Support Large-Scale Growth: From residential rooftops to commercial solar permitting, our platform is built to handle high-volume requests with consistent quality and turnaround times.

Streamline Your Workflow with Professional Solar Permitting Services

Successfully navigating the solar permitting process starts with understanding the specific solar panel permit requirements in your area. Each AHJ may have different rules for siting, structural review, and electrical compliance. Before starting any installation, review applicable solar permit requirements to avoid delays and design revisions.

For contractors working across multiple regions, keeping a running list of local solar permit processes and required documentation can streamline operations and reduce project timelines. Staying current with new permitting regulations and building code updates ensures compliance and improves the efficiency of your installations.

GreenLancer connects you with a nationwide network of licensed engineers and solar permitting experts. We specialize in preparing permit-ready solar plan sets, delivering professional engineering stamps, and navigating AHJ-specific solar panel permit requirements nationwide.

Fill out the form below to connect with a GreenLancer representative.

FAQs about Solar Permitting

What permits do I need to install solar panels on my property? Most jurisdictions require a combination of a building permit and an electrical permit. You must submit a complete solar permit package to your local building department to ensure the system meets safety codes.

How long does the solar permitting process usually take?

The timeline varies from a few business days in streamlined jurisdictions to several weeks in areas requiring manual reviews. Being prepared with accurate solar permit plans is the best way to avoid long wait times and technical corrections.

What are the standard solar panel permit requirements for residential projects?

You generally need a site plan, electrical diagrams, and manufacturer spec sheets. Some areas also require structural engineering calculations to prove the roof can support the added weight.

How much does a typical solar panel permit cost?

The solar panel permit cost depends on your local municipality's fee schedule. Some cities charge a flat rate while others base the fee on the total value of the solar installation.

Why should I use professional solar permitting services?

Professional PV permit services reduce the risk of permit denials and costly project delays. Experts ensure your solar permit drawings are code-compliant and ready for immediate AHJ approval.

What is included in a standard PV permit package?

A standard package contains a detailed site layout, electrical one-line diagrams, and structural mounting details. It also includes the specific technical data for your panels, inverters, and racking system.

Is commercial solar permitting different from residential permitting?

Yes, commercial solar permitting often involves stricter fire safety codes and professional engineering stamps. These larger projects usually require more complex solar design and permitting documentation to satisfy utility and building officials.

What is the final step after submitting a solar permit application?

Once the AHJ approves your application, you receive a permit to begin the installation. After the work is finished, an inspector will verify that the build matches your solar permit plans before you can energize the system.