Virginia / Arlington County

Solar Permit in Arlington County, Virginia

By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-19 · 3 official sources

Verified against official sources Confirmed on official page

Permit required

Quick answer

Installing a solar photovoltaic system on a single family home or townhome in Arlington County requires both an electrical permit and a building permit from the Inspection Services Division, applied for through Permit Arlington. The county notes this dual permit requirement resulted from a building code change. An electrical wiring diagram, panel attachment details and manufacturer specifications for the PV system must be available on site for the inspector, and townhome installations face firewall clearance rules. A Dominion Energy interconnection agreement is needed to connect to the grid.

Typical threshold: Residential solar electric systems require both an electrical permit and a building permit; no size exemption is published.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Arlington County permit portal

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?
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When a permit is usually needed

Any solar photovoltaic system installation

What solar permit costs in Arlington County

Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; paid online through Permit Arlington (eCheck free, cards 2.35 percent fee).

Official fee schedule

How Arlington County compares in Virginia

No Virginia jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.

JurisdictionPermit needed?Typical fee
Arlington Countythis pagePermit requiredFees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;
Chesterfield CountyPermit requiredNo solar-specific line;
Culpeper CountyPermit requiredResidential solar PV permit fees are $500 or less
Fairfax CountyPermit requiredSee Fairfax County LDS fee schedule for current solar permit fees
Fauquier CountyPermit requiredNo solar-specific line;
Henrico CountyPermit requiredResidential solar needs only an electrical permit with no separate building p...
Loudoun CountyPermit requiredBuilding permit fee is $230 and electrical permit fee is $70 for rooftop syst...

How to apply in Arlington County

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. Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division sets the exact checklist for Arlington County.

Where to apply in Arlington County:

Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division

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.

  1. 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).
  2. 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)).
  3. PV disconnecting means must be permanently marked and installed where they are readily accessible, which the inspector confirms in the field (NEC 690.13).
  4. 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).
  5. 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)).
  6. 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 Arlington County permit portal or by phone at 703-228-3800.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a solar permit in Arlington County?
Installing a solar photovoltaic system on a single family home or townhome in Arlington County requires both an electrical permit and a building permit from the Inspection Services Division, applied for through Permit Arlington. The county notes this dual permit requirement resulted from a building code change. An electrical wiring diagram, panel attachment details and manufacturer specifications for the PV system must be available on site for the inspector, and townhome installations face firewall clearance rules. A Dominion Energy interconnection agreement is needed to connect to the grid. Always confirm with the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division before starting.
How much does a solar permit cost in Arlington County?
Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule; paid online through Permit Arlington (eCheck free, cards 2.35 percent fee). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a solar permit in Arlington County?
You can apply through the Arlington County permit portal or contact the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
Can a homeowner pull a solar permit themselves in Arlington County?
Under Virginia law (Va. Code 54.1-1101(A); 13VAC5-63-80 (USBC Sections 108.3, 108.4)): Yes. Va. Code 54.1-1101(A) exempts any person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by them and for their own use during any 24-month period. The exemption covers the whole licensing chapter, including tradesman licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, so it reaches trade work on the owner's own primary residence. Under the USBC the permit applicant may be the owner or the owner's agent, and an applicant may file a written statement that they are not subject to licensure instead of proof of license. Limits: one primary residence per 24 months, for the owner's own use; rental and investment property work is not covered. Confirm how Arlington County applies this before you apply.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Arlington County

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

ProjectPermit needed?ThresholdTypical fee
Deck PermitPermit requiredNo size exemption is published for decks; new decks and deck modifications are treated as additions requiring a Residential Building Permit.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;
Electrical PermitPermit requiredLike for like replacement of switches, receptacles, lighting fixtures and similar elements of the same type, size and location is exempt unless located in plenums or penetrating fire rated or smoke protected construction.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;
Fence PermitPermit requiredArlington requires a fence permit for any new or replacement fence not part of a larger permitted project; the state building code exempts fences from a building permit unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier or are required for pedestrian safety.Fees per FY27 Planning and Zoning fee schedule;
HVAC PermitPermit requiredReplacement of mechanical equipment of the same type, size and location is exempt unless the equipment is fueled by gas, in which case a Plumbing/Gas Permit is required; outdoor equipment locations still need zoning approval.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;
Patio PermitIt dependsArlington lists no patio building permit type; a Land Disturbing Activity/Stormwater permit is required when total land disturbance equals or exceeds 2,500 square feet.LDA/SWM fees per FY27 DES fee schedule;
Plumbing PermitPermit requiredReplacement of fixtures, appliances or piping of the same type, size and location on equipment not fueled by gas is exempt; work on gas fueled equipment always requires a permit and inspections.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule plus DES drainage fixture unit fees where applicable;
Pool PermitIt dependsUnder USBC 108.2 a swimming pool is exempt only when its surface area is not greater than 150 square feet and it is less than 24 inches deep; otherwise building and trade permits are required.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;
Roof Replacement PermitIt dependsReplacing roof covering alone or with less than 256 square feet of roof decking replaced needs no permit; replacing more than 256 square feet of decking requires a building permit, and decking originally required to be fire retardant treated always requires a permit.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;
Shed PermitIt dependsOne story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet.Fees per FY27 ISD fee schedule;

Solar Permit in other Virginia localities

Official sources

Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-19, not confirmed with Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, Inspection Services Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 2026-07-19Report an error on this page

Compare Solar Permit requirements across Virginia localities