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Seattle has created a guide to help home and business owners install a solar electric system. The guide gives advice and outlines important steps to take to install a solar PV (photovoltaic) system.

The guide includes electrical, building, land use, and set-back yard permit requirements. Any solar electric project must obtain an electrical permit secured by an electrical contractor. An electrical permit fee is approximately $239 (3/4 base + $65.65 admin fee) if you system size is less than 7.7 kW.

A building permit is not required under the following conditions:

• The solar electric (photovoltaic) system is designed and proposed

Pima County has outlined its solar and wind permitting standards. The general requirements include a site plan and cut sheets for all system equipment. For solar photovoltaic (PV) systems a one line diagram with conductor and conduit sizes and types must be included. Click here for more information on solar PV system requirements. Solar hot water systems require a solar hot water schematic which includes the temperature relief valve. Wind energy systems are allowed one tower per residential lot.

It should be noted that depending on the project scope, your application may require prior approval from Regional Flood Control District

The City of Tucson has several permits that are needed for the authorization of solar farms. This table provides the information about regulations that will most likely be needed in order to develop a large solar facility.

Examples of permits include a groundwater / surface water management permit, a site plan / development plan review, a engineering preconstruction, and an electrical permit. Permits can last 1 day or 14 months depending on the individual permit.

It should be noted that some permits on this table will not be needed, and many can be approved during the processing of other permits

The City of Phoenix offers permitting plans for solar PV. The specifics of the permitting plans can be found in the city’s application found here. For all the options below the existing electric service is to remain and the installer must be present for the inspection.

• Option A - Over-the-Counter Review : $600 Plan Review and 3 Inspections
• Option B - Over-the-Counter Review : $450 Plan Review and 2 Inspections
  
• Option C - No Plan Review : $375 Administrative Fee and 2 Inspections
  
• Option D - Over-the-Counter Review : $300 Plan Review and 1 Inspection
  

Further, the City of

Under Miami-Dade's current permitting process PV projects may be permitted by submitting required documents through the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Plan Status and Application Submittal Portal.

Applicants seeking a permit for a solar PV system in Miami-Dade are required to submit the following items at the time of permit application:

• A completed Building Permit Application signed and notarized by the property owner and contractor.
• A completed Electrical Fee sheet signed by the contractor with the Electrical Category 34- Solar Photovoltaic information completed.
• Plans which contain all drawings and supporting documents in PDF format based on the

The Land Development Code for Hillsborough County outlines the appropriate uses and guidelines for the operation of a solar energy production facility and a wind energy conversion system (WECS).

For a solar facility in an agricultural zone, the proposed lot size shall be a minimum of five (5) acres. There should be a setback of 50 feet from all boundaries of the site. The solar panels should be ground mounted and have a maximum height of 15 feet.

Ground-mounted facilities must be enclosed with a fence. On-site power lines and interconnections shall be placed underground. Facilities will be considered abandoned

This ordinance is intended to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens by removing barriers to the installation of alternative energy systems and encourage the installation of rooftop photovoltaic solar systems.

There are no standards or guidelines within the code of ordinances that can prohibit the installation of rooftop solar systems as accessory equipment on residential or commercial buildings.

The height of the rooftop photovoltaic solar systems cannot be higher than the roofline (top of the roof). For flat roofs, the system cannot be greater than five (5) feet above the roof.

The permit does not guarantee

The purpose of this policy is to help define appropriate locations for solar energy systems, to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, and to promote safe and effective use of solar energy to increase opportunities for renewable energy generation.

In general, solar energy systems are allowed in all zoning districts. Solar energy system must comply with the minimum yard requirements of the district where they are located. Screening of solar energy systems is not required. All lots in subdivisions of forty (40) acres or more shall be platted in an orientation to maximize solar exposure.

For building-mounted solar energy systems, the

The City of Chicago has published a solar zoning policy to illustrate and streamline the requirements for zoning review of solar PV systems within the city. The published policy consists of guidelines and is not an ordinance; the City reserves the right to deny zoning approval to any PV system even if it meets the requirements listed in the policy.

Commercial Solar Energy Conversion Systems

Commercial solar energy conversion system uses shall comply with all of the requirements of this section. Such uses are not allowed on any land designated Agriculture—Large scale (over 10,000 sq ft). Such uses may be allowed on lands with a general plan designation of Agriculture—Medium scale (between 2,400 and 10,000 sq ft), provided that the subject lot is deemed by the decision-maker to be of marginal quality for agricultural purposes. 

The systems are not allowed on any land located within the -d 1 (Santa Clara Valley Viewshed) and -d 2 (Milpitas Hillsides) design review combining