Do I Need An Electrician?
Permits›Installing Solar Panels
Permit Required

Do you need a permit to install solar panels?

Installing a rooftop or ground-mount solar PV system.

The general rule

Permit Required under the general IRC R105.1 baseline. Rooftop solar requires an electrical permit and often a structural permit.

This is a general starting point. Your city may have its own rule — always confirm locally. Verified city rules are listed below.

Verified rules by city

CityPermit?Verified
Austin, TXPermit Required2026-06-26
Chicago, ILPermit Required2026-06-26
Dallas, TXPermit Required2026-06-26
Denver, COPermit Required2026-06-26
Houston, TXPermit Required2026-06-26
Los Angeles, CAPermit Required2026-06-26
New York, NYPermit Required2026-06-26
Phoenix, AZPermit Required2026-06-26
San Diego, CAPermit Required2026-06-26