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Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Surprise, Arizona

A building permit is required for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in Surprise. Surprise publishes a distinct three-part fee structure for solar PV permits: a Solar Admin Fee, Solar Plan Review Fee, and Solar Permit Fee. Applications are submitted through the Permits & Applications Portal (Clariti/Oncamino) with plans uploaded via ProjectDox. Plan review for residential solar takes approximately 4 working days for the first review. Surprise's local amendment to IRC R105.2 exempts solar attic fans from permits, but PV panel systems require a permit.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Submit permit through Permits & Applications Portal at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az with plans uploaded via ProjectDox
  • All work must comply with the 2023 NEC (electrical) and 2024 IRC/IBC (structural) and Surprise local amendments
  • Solar attic fans are permit-exempt; rooftop PV panel systems are not exempt and require a permit

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Solar Admin Fee (1 of 3)Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
$109.00 per permit
Solar Plan Review Fee (2 of 3)Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
$128.00 per permit
Solar Permit Fee (3 of 3)Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. Total solar permit cost = $109 + $128 + $63 = $300 per permit.
$63.00 per permit
Re-inspectionCitywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.
$100 per hour ($200.00 minimum)

Review timeline

Plan reviewSurprise’s published plan-review target
4–6 business days

How long did your Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit permit actually take in Surprise?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Rough / Electrical Inspection

    Wiring, conduit, and electrical connections inspected before system is energized.

  2. 2

    Final / PV Inspection

    Complete PV installation inspected per approved plans; system must not be energized before passing final inspection.

See the full Surprise inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Surprise's solar PV permit uses a fixed three-part fee ($109 admin + $128 plan review + $63 permit = $300 total) rather than a valuation-based fee — this is distinct from other permit types.
  • Solar attic fans are permit-exempt; rooftop solar PV panel systems are not exempt.
  • The first plan review for residential solar PV takes approximately 4 working days per the Standard Development Review Timelines.

Frequently asked questions

Surprise requires a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit for: Submit permit through Permits & Applications Portal at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az with plans uploaded via ProjectDox; All work must comply with the 2023 NEC (electrical) and 2024 IRC/IBC (structural) and Surprise local amendments; Solar attic fans are permit-exempt; rooftop PV panel systems are not exempt and require a permit. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 623-222-3000 before starting work.

Surprise charges a fixed three-part fee for residential solar PV permits: $109 Solar Admin Fee + $128 Solar Plan Review Fee + $63 Solar Permit Fee = $300 total per permit. Source: City of Surprise Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026.

Surprise's published plan-review target for a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit is 4–6 business days.

You'll need: Permits & Applications Portal submission (Clariti/Oncamino); PV system plans via ProjectDox. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Surprise requires 2 inspection(s) for a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit, in order: Rough / Electrical Inspection, Final / PV Inspection. Schedule each through City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division (623-222-3000).

Apply through City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division at 16000 N. Civic Center Plz., Surprise, AZ 85374. Phone: 623-222-3000, email: Community.Development@surpriseaz.gov. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding City-observed holidays. Official information: https://surpriseaz.gov/community-development.

Surprise, Arizona has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Appendices C, H, and O, and City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Appendices AC, BA, BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BL, BM, BO, CA, CB, CD, CE, CF, and CH, and City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026; 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities with City of Surprise local amendments — adopted by Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026. Local amendments apply — see the Surprise overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Surprise building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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