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Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — SolarAPP+ eligible in Tempe, Arizona

Tempe's Building Safety Division accepts SolarAPP+ approved designs for single-family residential photovoltaic (PV) permitting. SolarAPP+ is a third-party software program that verifies code compliance for eligible residential PV systems, enabling same-day permit approvals for qualifying projects. Tempe has been awarded SolSmart Silver designation recognizing its solar-friendly permitting process. All permit applications are made through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal. The flat fee is $538 per Table 2-A (effective July 1, 2025), which includes the plan review fee.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Applicant must be an Arizona licensed contractor Contractor
  • Located within City of Tempe limits
  • Residential (single-family or duplex residence) rooftop installations only
  • Residential Energy Storage systems are in scope (newer SolarAPP+ eligibility)
  • Structure supporting the PV system must be legal, permitted, and code-compliant
  • No ballasted or ground-mounted systems
  • Not located within a Historic Preservation district or FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area
  • Technical requirements for solar without existing Energy Storage System (ESS): 400-amp maximum electrical service, single phase only; maximum 2 DC strings in parallel; if microinverter, one module per microinverter; only one module type; up to two inverter types (string) or one (microinverter)
  • Non-SolarAPP+ submittals: submit plans through the Citizen Access Portal following Electronic Plan (E-Plan) Review Submittal Guidelines
  • SolarAPP+ process: (1) Determine eligibility; (2) Submit design to SolarAPP+ (gosolarapp.org); (3) Apply for Building Permit through Citizen Access Portal — include SolarAPP+ approval number; (4) Schedule Building Final inspection through Citizen Access Portal

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Single Family Photovoltaic System — flat fee (Table 2-A, effective July 1, 2025)Table 2-A — Building Permit Flat Fees: 'SINGLE FAMILY PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM — $538 *Includes Plan Review fee.' Effective July 1, 2025. Source: Table 2-A (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_TA2UIPEFLFE).
$538 (includes plan review)

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Tempe building department
~1–5 business days

How long did your Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit — SolarAPP+ eligible permit actually take in Tempe?

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Inspection process

  1. 1

    Building Final (inspection type 199)

    After permit issuance, schedule a Building Final (199) inspection through the Citizen Access Portal using the main BP tracking number. Requests received before midnight are inspected the following business day, 6:30 AM–3:30 PM. For an estimated arrival time, call 480-350-8341 between 6:00–6:30 AM on the morning of your inspection.

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

Tips

  • Using SolarAPP+ (gosolarapp.org) for eligible residential PV projects enables same-day permit approvals — Tempe strongly encourages its use.
  • Include the word 'SolarAPP+' as the first word in the project description when applying in the Citizen Access Portal (e.g., 'SolarAPP+ SMITH RESIDENCE').
  • The flat $538 Table 2-A fee (includes plan review) covers the SolarAPP+ permit; a separate SolarAPP+ processing fee is charged by the SolarAPP+ platform itself.
  • Tempe has SolSmart Silver designation; check tempe.gov/BuildingSafety for the solar permit dashboard.

Frequently asked questions

Tempe requires a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit — solarapp+ eligible for: Applicant must be an Arizona licensed contractor; Located within City of Tempe limits; Residential (single-family or duplex residence) rooftop installations only; Residential Energy Storage systems are in scope (newer SolarAPP+ eligibility); Structure supporting the PV system must be legal, permitted, and code-compliant; No ballasted or ground-mounted systems; Not located within a Historic Preservation district or FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area; Technical requirements for solar without existing Energy Storage System (ESS): 400-amp maximum electrical service, single phase only; maximum 2 DC strings in parallel; if microinverter, one module per microinverter; only one module type; up to two inverter types (string) or one (microinverter); Non-SolarAPP+ submittals: submit plans through the Citizen Access Portal following Electronic Plan (E-Plan) Review Submittal Guidelines; SolarAPP+ process: (1) Determine eligibility; (2) Submit design to SolarAPP+ (gosolarapp.org); (3) Apply for Building Permit through Citizen Access Portal — include SolarAPP+ approval number; (4) Schedule Building Final inspection through Citizen Access Portal. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center at 480-350-4311 before starting work.

In Tempe, the published Single Family Photovoltaic System — flat fee (Table 2-A, effective July 1, 2025) is: $538 (includes plan review). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Plan review for a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit — solarapp+ eligible in Tempe typically runs 1–5 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center at 480-350-4311.

You'll need: SolarAPP+ approval (approval number and approved documents). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Tempe requires 1 inspection(s) for a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit — solarapp+ eligible, in order: Building Final (inspection type 199). Schedule each through City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center (480-350-4311).

Apply through City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center at City of Tempe City Hall, 31 E. 5th St., Tempe, AZ 85281. Phone: 480-350-4311, email: permitcenter@tempe.gov. Office hours: Contact the Permit Center at 480-350-4311 or permitcenter@tempe.gov for current hours; inspections are conducted Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–3:30 PM (inspection requests received before midnight are inspected the following business day). Official information: https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-development/building-safety/permit-center.

Tempe, Arizona has adopted: 2018 Tempe Building Safety Administrative Code (local administrative provisions) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEMC2018P2); 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEBC2018P1); 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPERC2018P11); 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEMC2018P11); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEFGC2018P11); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEECC2018P1); 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEEBC2018P22); 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEPC2018P11); 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPESPSC2018P1); 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEFC2018P1); 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=CH8BUBURE_ARTXIINGRCOCO); 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published in the Tempe City Code (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=CH8BUBURE_ARTVIII2017NAELCO). Local amendments apply — see the Tempe overview page for the full list.

For eligible residential PV, use SolarAPP+ (gosolarapp.org) to obtain code-compliance approval, then apply through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal and include your SolarAPP+ approval number. The flat fee is $538 (Table 2-A, includes plan review). Schedule a Building Final (199) inspection through the Citizen Access Portal after permit issuance. Source: Tempe Residential Plan Review page (tempe.gov/government/community-development/building-safety/plan-review/residential) and Table 2-A (Municode).

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 Tempe building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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