Residential Solar Permit

Applications for a residential solar permit are submitted through the online permit portal. Applicants may also choose third-party plan review and inspection; see the third-party review and inspection guidelines (PDF, 225 KB). Related resources:

• Solar technical bulletin (PDF, 62 KB)
• Guidelines for demonstrating proof of competence

Review Requirements

Provide the following before a residential solar permit can be issued:

1. Location: The property address must already exist in the permit system. If you cannot find it, contact Building Inspections.
2. Type of work: Give a short description of the project, along with square footage and project valuation where they apply.
3. Contacts: List everyone involved, such as the applicant, contractor, property owner and architect. The applicant needs an account on the online permit portal, and the contractor must hold a general contractor registration with the city.
4. More information: Describe the work in detail. For photovoltaic (PV) systems, include the number of panels, the panel make and model, PV output in watts, total system size in kilowatts, inverter and battery storage details, how the system interconnects, the roof mounting or attachment method, and contact information for the installer.
5. Attachments (plans required at submittal):
   • Architectural and structural plans: follow the standard plan guideline for PV installations (PDF, 122 KB). Every installation must include, at a minimum, a floor plan or roof plan showing where all equipment will go, plus any mounting plans.
   • MEP plans (mechanical, electrical and plumbing): electrical drawings for the system, and plans showing how any electrical, mechanical or plumbing work for a backup system will be installed.
   • Other supporting documents: for example, equipment and manufacturer specifications, load calculations and the third-party review compliance form (PDF, 143 KB).

Help by Phone or in Person

Staff can help you with your online application over the phone or at City Hall.

• Call (555) 010-2235
• Email [email protected]
• Office: Building Inspections Division, City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, Fredville, TX 75999
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fees

• You apply and pay through the online permit portal.
• The portal's fee estimator can give you an estimated cost for a residential solar permit.
• See also building permit fees.

Inspections

• Inspections follow the 2021 International Residential Code and the city's Unified Development Code (UDC).
• Do not continue work past any inspection point until that inspection has been approved (2021 IRC, Section 109.4).
• The permit holder or an agent is responsible for requesting each inspection through the online permit portal when the work is ready, and for providing access to the work and the means to inspect it.
• Building Inspections may also make or require any other inspection needed to confirm compliance with adopted codes and other laws the city enforces, in addition to those listed in IRC Sections R109.1.1 to R109.1.4.
• Other forms and reports may be required during inspection. For convenience, the city provides an inspection attachment guide (PDF, 532 KB), a solar power system inspection guide (PDF, 95 KB) and the third-party inspection guideline and form (PDF, 170 KB).

Fredville is a demonstration city built by Talk to Fred. Names, numbers and details on this page are sample content.