Solar Permit in El Paso, Texas
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing solar panels, solar shingles, or a solar heating system inside the City of El Paso
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
The City of El Paso issues a dedicated solar permit: its Citizen Access portal carries "Building/Solar Panel/NA/NA" as its own Building record type, and the adopted FY 2026 fee schedule prices solar under building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing headings. Solar shingles are billed on a separate building-permit line from solar panels, which are billed as an electrical item. Because a photovoltaic install is electrical work, the city's rule that only a contractor registered with the City may be issued a trade permit applies. These rules apply inside El Paso city limits only.
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?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
When a permit is usually needed
Before installing solar panels, solar shingles, or a solar heating system inside the City of El Paso
What a solar permit costs in El Paso
How El Paso compares in Texas
No Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | Permit required | Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective June 1, 2026... |
| Austin | Permit required | Solar permits carry a $32.47 intake fee plus a $111.66 auxiliary power... |
| Corpus Christi | Permit required | The FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule publishes no solar line item. |
| Dallas | Permit required | No solar-specific line |
| El Pasothis page | Permit required | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, prices solar... |
| Fort Worth | Permit required | The Schedule of Mechanical Fees, Table 1-H, carries a "Solar energy system:... |
| Houston | Permit required | Solar panel permit fee is $91.06 plus the $33.56 administrative fee, with plan... |
How to apply in El Paso
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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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. City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop) sets the exact checklist for El Paso.
Where to apply in El Paso:
City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop)
- One Stop Shop, 811 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901
- Phone: 915-212-0104
- Email: OSSHelp@elpasotexas.gov
Inspections and closing out your permit
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.
- 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).
- 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)).
- PV disconnecting means must be permanently marked and installed where they are readily accessible, which the inspector confirms in the field (NEC 690.13).
- 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).
- 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)).
- 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 El Paso permit portal or by phone at 915-212-0104.
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 El Paso
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing solar panels, solar shingles, or a solar heating system inside the City of El Paso.
- Budget the fee. FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, prices solar across four trades: Building Permits "Solar Shingle per 100 sq. ft." is "$14 per sq. ft. plus base fee plus applicable technology fee"; Electrical Permits "Solar panels, ea." is "$14 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee" and "Solar heating systems" is "$24 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee" (electrical base fee, each, non-refundable, $110); Mechanical "Solar Systems (excluding duct work)" is "$36 plus base fee and applicable technology fee"; Plumbing "Solar panels, ea." is "$13.76 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee" and "Solar heating systems" is "$24.35 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee.". Official fee schedule.
- Apply. 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 El Paso permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop). Phone: 915-212-0104. Address: One Stop Shop, 811 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901.
- Plan for inspections. 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 El Paso?
- The City of El Paso issues a dedicated solar permit: its Citizen Access portal carries "Building/Solar Panel/NA/NA" as its own Building record type, and the adopted FY 2026 fee schedule prices solar under building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing headings. Solar shingles are billed on a separate building-permit line from solar panels, which are billed as an electrical item. Because a photovoltaic install is electrical work, the city's rule that only a contractor registered with the City may be issued a trade permit applies. These rules apply inside El Paso city limits only. Always confirm with the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop) before starting.
- How much does a solar permit cost in El Paso?
- FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, prices solar across four trades: Building Permits "Solar Shingle per 100 sq. ft." is "$14 per sq. ft. plus base fee plus applicable technology fee"; Electrical Permits "Solar panels, ea." is "$14 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee" and "Solar heating systems" is "$24 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee" (electrical base fee, each, non-refundable, $110); Mechanical "Solar Systems (excluding duct work)" is "$36 plus base fee and applicable technology fee"; Plumbing "Solar panels, ea." is "$13.76 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee" and "Solar heating systems" is "$24.35 based on quantity plus base fee and applicable technology fee.". See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a solar permit in El Paso?
- You can apply through the El Paso permit portal or contact the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a solar permit themselves in El Paso?
- Under Texas law (Tex. Occupations Code 1305.003(a)(6), 1301.051; Tex. Local Government Code 233.157(c)): Texas licenses individual construction trades rather than general contractors, so no state statute requires a license to act as your own general contractor on your own house. For electrical work, the state licensing law does not apply to work performed in or on a dwelling by a person who owns and resides in it, but only where no municipal ordinance specifically regulates that work, so city electrical licensing and permit rules still control inside city limits (Occupations Code 1305.003(a)(6)). For plumbing, a property owner does not need a state license to perform plumbing in the owner's homestead (Occupations Code 1301.051). In opt-in counties' unincorporated areas, an individual who builds their own house or acts as their own contractor is exempt from the Class C misdemeanor penalty for inspection notice failures if they intend to use the home as their primary residence (Local Government Code 233.157(c)). None of these exemptions waive local permit or inspection requirements where they apply. Confirm how El Paso applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in El Paso
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Replacing a switch, receptacle, fuse, fan, light fixture, or similar equipment without altering the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing system is exempt. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Electrical Permits:... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Masonry walls and fences are measured against 42 inches in height; chain link fences are measured against a separate and higher trigger of 6 feet in height. The material determines which of the two applies. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Building Permits:... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Mechanical: "Base fee... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Concrete work more than 30 inches above grade, or concrete that will support a structure, requires a permit; a detached patio cover is permitted under the city's porches and canopies entry. | FY 2026 Schedule C has no line item named "patio" or "patio cover." The closest... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Plumbing: "Base fee, ea. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Pools and ponds over 24 inches of depth require a permit, as do above ground pools containing 5,000 gallons of water or more. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections: Building Permits line... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | The 25 percent is a share of the residential roof covering being replaced, measured across the roof rather than as an area in square feet or a count of squares. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Building Permit line... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | The exemption covers accessory storage buildings or structures of less than 200 square feet of floor area, and is limited to one such accessory structure per site. | FY 2026 Schedule C has no line item named "shed" or "accessory structure." The closest... |
Solar Permit in other Texas localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not El Paso documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Permit office
City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop)
915-212-0104Permit portalCompare
Solar Permit across Texas