Solar Permit in Town of Hempstead, New York
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing a rooftop or ground mounted solar photovoltaic system or a battery power wall.
Issued byTown of Hempstead Department of Buildings
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Solar photovoltaic installations are filed as building permits with the Department of Buildings, which publishes a solar filing instruction sheet. The application takes the Long Island Unified Solar Energy System Fast Track Permit Application, a notarized Affidavit of Property Owner, a recent unaltered survey, a plot plan showing panel locations, a Design Professional's Certificate of Compliance, a Consent for Inspection form, a Solar Acknowledgment form and a Solar Without Examination form. A letter from a professional engineer certifying the installation will withstand sustained wind speeds of up to 125 mph is required, and a contractor installing on a residential dwelling needs a home improvement license plus proof of workers compensation and liability insurance. An electrical inspection is required, and ground mounted systems must also meet Building Zone Ordinance requirements.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
New York's owner-builder rule (Inside New York City: NYC Admin. Code 28-104.1, 28-105.1, 28-105.4, 28-105.5.1, 28-401.3 (definition of "general contractor"). Outside New York City: N.Y. Exec. Law 381(2); 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1).) sets what you may do on your own home without hiring anyone. Read the statute.
When a permit is usually needed
Before installing a rooftop or ground mounted solar photovoltaic system or a battery power wall.
What a solar permit costs in Town of Hempstead
How Town of Hempstead compares in New York
No New York jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | Permit required | ...permit fee schedule flat fee line "Alternative energy systems" $75.00 on... |
| New York City | It depends | ...dwelling that means Table 28-112.2 item 11: minimum filing fee $170.00... |
| Rochester | Permit required | The Solar JULY 2026 packet states "Unified Fee $100" by check or money order... |
| Town of Brookhaven | Permit required | See schedule |
| Town of Hempsteadthis page | Permit required | The flat solar fee is gone |
How to apply in Town of Hempstead
In Town of Hempstead, a rooftop solar PV permit application is a combined structural and electrical plan set: a site plan and roof framing details proving the array's mounting can carry its added loads, plus a one line electrical diagram covering listed modules and inverters, disconnects, and the rapid shutdown design. Utility interconnection is a separate approval that runs in parallel with the permit.
What most solar permit applications include:
- Both a building permit and a separate electrical permit are required, since the array must be designed and installed to the residential code's solar provisions and to the National Electrical Code (IRC R324.3).
- For Town of Hempstead, the plan set identifies listed equipment: PV modules listed to UL 1703 (or both UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2), and inverters listed to UL 1741, with grid-tied inverters listed for utility interaction (IRC R324.3.1).
- Structural drawings show that the roof framing is designed to structurally support the array and withstand the gravity loads it adds (IRC R324.4.1).
- For Town of Hempstead, the site plan lays out roof access pathways at least 36 inches wide, plus a ridge setback sized to how much of the roof the array covers, so firefighters retain pathways and ventilation access (IRC R324.6.1, IRC R324.6.2).
- For Town of Hempstead, the one line electrical diagram shows the rapid shutdown method and the location of its single initiation device, since one control point must bring all system conductors down to safe levels (NEC 690.12, NEC 690.56(C)).
- Interconnecting the array to the utility grid at a defined point of connection is a separate application process from the local building or electrical permit and must be approved before the system can operate (NEC 705.12).
- Some permitting offices route applications through SolarAPP+, an automated review platform that checks the plan set against code requirements and issues eligible permits instantly (DOE SolarAPP+).
General submittal guidance from IRC 2021 R324 (Solar Energy Systems) and NEC 2020 Article 690 (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) and Article 705 (Interconnected Power Production Sources). Source. Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings sets the exact checklist for Town of Hempstead.
Where to apply in Town of Hempstead:
Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings
- One Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550
- Phone: 516-538-8500
- Email: TOHBuildingQuestions@hempsteadny.gov
Solar Permit in Town of Hempstead compared with nearby New York localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each New York schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Hempstead | Permit required | Any size | The flat solar fee is gone | |
| Buffalo | Permit required | Any size | ...building permit fee schedule flat fee line "Alternative energy systems" $75.00 on... | |
| New York City | It depends | solar landscape lights are the only solar work DOB exempts from permit | ...three-family dwelling that means Table 28-112.2 item 11: minimum filing fee $170.00... | |
| Rochester | Permit required | Any size | The Solar JULY 2026 packet states "Unified Fee $100" by check or money order payable to... | |
| Town of Brookhaven | Permit required | Any size | See schedule |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Town of Hempstead, inspectors verify the installed array against the approved plans, and some agencies run a rough check of roof attachments and penetrations while they are still exposed before the wiring and roofing close them in. The final inspection confirms rapid shutdown, disconnects, grounding, and required labels are installed correctly, and the system cannot be energized until the utility separately approves interconnection.
- In Town of Hempstead: where an agency runs a rough or pre-inspection, it checks the array's roof penetrations while they are still exposed, confirming they are flashed and sealed (IRC R324.4.3).
- In Town of Hempstead: the inspector confirms whether rapid shutdown is required, how it is accomplished, and that it is properly identified (NEC 690.12, NEC 690.56(C)).
- In Town of Hempstead: pV disconnecting means must be permanently marked and installed where they are readily accessible, which the inspector confirms in the field (NEC 690.13).
- In Town of Hempstead: bonding and grounding of the array, including every exposed non current carrying metal part and the grounding electrode system, is checked before sign off (NEC 690.43, NEC 690.47).
- In Town of Hempstead: at the service equipment, the inspector looks for the required rapid shutdown placard, a labeled diagram showing the initiation device's location in the specified colors and letter sizes (NEC 690.56(C)).
- In Town of Hempstead: utility interconnection is inspected and approved separately from the local building department's sign off, and the system cannot be energized until both approvals are in hand (NEC 705.12).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Town of Hempstead permit portal or by phone at 516-538-8500.
Inspection sequence from NEC 2020 Article 690 (690.12 rapid shutdown, 690.13 disconnects, 690.43/690.47 grounding, 690.56 labeling) and IRC 2021 R324.4.3 (roof penetrations). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Solar Permit checklist for Town of Hempstead
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing a rooftop or ground mounted solar photovoltaic system or a battery power wall.
- Budget the fee. The flat solar fee is gone. Local Law No. 20-2024 (adopted 3-12-2024, effective 4-2-2024) amended Town Code 86-11EE to read: "The fee for an application to install a residential solar photovoltaic system or power wall shall be determined by the estimated cost of construction and no longer subject to a fee cap." Solar applications are therefore charged the ordinary building permit fee under 86-11C(1): $200 residential for an estimated cost up to $1,000, then $200 plus $18 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. The $300 solar panel and $200 power wall caps set by Local Law No. 93-2022 no longer apply, and the older $100 cap from Local Law No. 90-2016 is two amendments out of date. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Town of Hempstead, a rooftop solar PV permit application is a combined structural and electrical plan set: a site plan and roof framing details proving the array's mounting can carry its added loads, plus a one line electrical diagram covering listed modules and inverters, disconnects, and the rapid shutdown design. Utility interconnection is a separate approval that runs in parallel with the permit. Start at the Town of Hempstead permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings. Phone: 516-538-8500. Address: One Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550.
- Plan for inspections. In Town of Hempstead, inspectors verify the installed array against the approved plans, and some agencies run a rough check of roof attachments and penetrations while they are still exposed before the wiring and roofing close them in. The final inspection confirms rapid shutdown, disconnects, grounding, and required labels are installed correctly, and the system cannot be energized until the utility separately approves interconnection.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a solar permit in Town of Hempstead?
- Solar photovoltaic installations are filed as building permits with the Department of Buildings, which publishes a solar filing instruction sheet. The application takes the Long Island Unified Solar Energy System Fast Track Permit Application, a notarized Affidavit of Property Owner, a recent unaltered survey, a plot plan showing panel locations, a Design Professional's Certificate of Compliance, a Consent for Inspection form, a Solar Acknowledgment form and a Solar Without Examination form. A letter from a professional engineer certifying the installation will withstand sustained wind speeds of up to 125 mph is required, and a contractor installing on a residential dwelling needs a home improvement license plus proof of workers compensation and liability insurance. An electrical inspection is required, and ground mounted systems must also meet Building Zone Ordinance requirements. Always confirm with the Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings before starting.
- How much does a solar permit cost in Town of Hempstead?
- The flat solar fee is gone. Local Law No. 20-2024 (adopted 3-12-2024, effective 4-2-2024) amended Town Code 86-11EE to read: "The fee for an application to install a residential solar photovoltaic system or power wall shall be determined by the estimated cost of construction and no longer subject to a fee cap." Solar applications are therefore charged the ordinary building permit fee under 86-11C(1): $200 residential for an estimated cost up to $1,000, then $200 plus $18 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. The $300 solar panel and $200 power wall caps set by Local Law No. 93-2022 no longer apply, and the older $100 cap from Local Law No. 90-2016 is two amendments out of date. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a solar permit in Town of Hempstead?
- You can apply through the Town of Hempstead permit portal or contact the Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a solar permit themselves in Town of Hempstead?
- Under New York law (Inside New York City: NYC Admin. Code 28-104.1, 28-105.1, 28-105.4, 28-105.5.1, 28-401.3 (definition of "general contractor"). Outside New York City: N.Y. Exec. Law 381(2); 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1).): New York State sets no owner-builder rule at all outside New York City. Executive Law 381(2) puts administration and enforcement in the hands of each local government, and 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1) only requires each authority having jurisdiction to make building permits mandatory for work that must conform to the codes, leaving who may apply to local law. The state licenses no general contractors and imposes no owner-builder affidavit, disclosure form or post-permit sale restriction of the kind Florida uses, so whether a homeowner may pull the permit is a question for the specific city, town, village or county. New York City is the genuine outlier. Administrative Code 28-105.1 makes the work itself unlawful without a written permit, and Administrative Code 28-104.1 bars the department from issuing that permit until it approves the required construction documents, which must be prepared by or under the supervision of a registered design professional, meaning a licensed architect or engineer, as required by the code. A homeowner therefore cannot self-prepare and file the plans for permit-requiring work in New York City even though Administrative Code 28-105.5.1 defines the permit applicant as the person who performs the work or retains a subcontractor, and even though the general contractor registration definition in Administrative Code 28-401.3 expressly excludes an individual who constructs a residential structure of no more than three dwelling units for his or her own occupancy. Note that Administrative Code 28-105.4 exempts minor alterations and ordinary repairs from the permit requirement entirely, so the design professional bottleneck applies only to work that needs a permit in the first place. Confirm how Town of Hempstead applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Town of Hempstead
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
None of the 7 project types verified for Town of Hempstead carry a size or scope threshold. See the Permit needed column for each project's own answer, since there is no threshold to compare here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | ...Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | ...is part of a larger job, the building permit fee under 86-11C(1) applies, at $200... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | ...as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (adopted 3-12-2024, effective 4-2-2024): $200... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | ...12-6-2022, effective 12-22-2022) and not changed by the 2024 amendment: $300 for an... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | ...a permit to install any new plumbing or drainage work is a minimum of $70, plus an... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | ...Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200... |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | ...Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200... |
Solar Permit in other New York localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Town of Hempstead documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this solar permit page for Town of Hempstead was verified. 2 official sources: hempsteadny.gov, viewpointcloud.blob.core.windows.net; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Solar Permit requirements across New York localities