Washington / Pierce County

Solar Permit in Pierce County, Washington

By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-06 · 2 official sources

Verified against official sources Confirmed on official page

Permit required

Quick answer

In unincorporated Pierce County a building permit is always required for a residential rooftop solar photovoltaic system, regardless of size, issued through Pierce County Planning and Public Works. A separate electrical permit is also always required, issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries or by Tacoma Power depending on which utility serves the property. Panels must be mounted no higher than 18 inches above the roof surface and must meet ridge setback and roof pathway rules; systems with a dead load over 4 pounds per square foot or a point load over 50 pounds require structural engineering.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Pierce 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

Before installing any residential rooftop solar photovoltaic system in unincorporated Pierce County

What solar permit costs in Pierce County

Residential rooftop solar panel building permit base fee $173.00, plus $201.00 for systems up to 5kW or $316.00 for systems over 5kW (PCC Table 17C.10-1-G, 2026 fees); a separate electrical permit fee also applies.

Official fee schedule

How Pierce County compares in Washington

JurisdictionPermit needed?Threshold
BellevueIt dependselectrical permit required for all solar systems; building permit not required for rooftop single-family systems with dead load under 3.5 lbs per sq ft and panels no more than 18 inches above roof surface
Clark CountyPermit requiredSeparate SOL permits are required for ground mounted units or panels mounted on existing buildings; in new construction the solar panels are included in the NHC or ADS permit.
King CountyIt dependsroof-mounted solar PV panels weighing less than 4 pounds per square foot on residences do not require a building permit; heavier installations require a permit
Pierce Countythis pagePermit requiredNot specified
SeattlePermit requiredNot specified
Snohomish CountyIt dependsground-mounted residential solar PV systems never need a building or mechanical permit; roof-mounted residential PV on a detached single-family house is exempt from a building/mechanical permit only if total dead load is 3.5 lbs per sq ft or less (up to 4.5 lbs per sq ft for frameless panels on a 3:12 or steeper slope, or 5 lbs per sq ft for frameless panels on a 5:12 or steeper slope), panels are mounted 18 inches or less above the roof surface, and an electrical permit has already been issued; a separate electrical permit through WA L&I is always required regardless
TacomaPermit requiredNot specified

How to apply in Pierce 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. Pierce County Planning and Public Works sets the exact checklist for Pierce County.

Where to apply in Pierce County:

Pierce County Planning and Public Works

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 Pierce County permit portal or by phone at (253) 798-3739.

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 Pierce County?
In unincorporated Pierce County a building permit is always required for a residential rooftop solar photovoltaic system, regardless of size, issued through Pierce County Planning and Public Works. A separate electrical permit is also always required, issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries or by Tacoma Power depending on which utility serves the property. Panels must be mounted no higher than 18 inches above the roof surface and must meet ridge setback and roof pathway rules; systems with a dead load over 4 pounds per square foot or a point load over 50 pounds require structural engineering. Always confirm with the Pierce County Planning and Public Works before starting.
How much does a solar permit cost in Pierce County?
Residential rooftop solar panel building permit base fee $173.00, plus $201.00 for systems up to 5kW or $316.00 for systems over 5kW (PCC Table 17C.10-1-G, 2026 fees); a separate electrical permit fee also applies. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a solar permit in Pierce County?
You can apply through the Pierce County permit portal or contact the Pierce County Planning and Public Works directly. The links are listed on this page.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Pierce County

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

ProjectPermit needed?ThresholdTypical fee
Deck PermitIt dependsDecks not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and not over any story or basement below, are exempt; Pierce County code sets no separate floor area cap for decks; taller decks, or decks over a story or basement, require a building permit.Building permit fee follows PCC Table 17C.10-1-B (valuation based): $69.00 for construc...
Electrical PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedNo county fee;
Fence PermitIt dependsFences 6 feet or less in height, measured from grade, are exempt; taller fences require a building permit.Building permit fee follows PCC Table 17C.10-1-B (valuation based): $69.00 for construc...
HVAC PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedIssue each mechanical permit fee $58.00, plus unit fees per equipment type (for example...
Patio PermitIt dependsAt-grade patios, treated the same as exempt sidewalks and driveways, are exempt if not more than 30 inches above grade at any point and not over any story or basement below; an attached, roofed patio cover requires a building permit regardless of size.Attached patio covers use the same valuation based building permit fee as other buildin...
Plumbing PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedIssue each plumbing permit fee $58.00, plus unit fees per fixture (for example $8.00 pe...
Pool PermitIt dependsPrefabricated swimming pools accessory to a single family residence (Group R-3 occupancy) are exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no separate gallon volume cap; in-ground pools and pools 24 inches deep or deeper require a building permit. Self-contained spas and hot tubs installed entirely above ground and not connected to the potable water system or a septic or sewer drain are separately exempt regardless of depth.Where a permit is required: in-ground pool permit $230.00;
Roof Replacement PermitIt dependsRe-roofing of a Group R, Division 3 one or two family dwelling, or a Group U private garage, carport, or accessory structure, with a roof slope greater than 2:12, is exempt if the total load of all roof coverings does not exceed 7.5 lbs per sq ft; the exemption does not apply to vegetated roofs or to replacement of roof sheathing.Building permit fee follows PCC Table 17C.10-1-B (valuation based): $69.00 for construc...
Shed PermitIt dependsOne-story detached accessory structure used as an unheated tool or storage shed, playhouse, or similar use is exempt if its floor area is 200 sq ft or less and it is at least 3 feet from a property line; larger or closer structures require a building permit.Building permit fee follows PCC Table 17C.10-1-B (valuation based): $69.00 for construc...

Solar Permit in other Washington localities

Official sources

Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-06, not confirmed with Pierce County Planning and Public Works. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 2026-07-06Report an error on this page

Compare Solar Permit requirements across Washington localities