Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson requires a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit for: SolarApp+ eligibility: roof-mounted on the main dwelling, NOT ballasted, NOT in a special district or Historic/Neighborhood Preservation Zone, NOT in an environmentally sensitive area or hillside development zone, NOT in a County Flood Hazard/floodplain area (unless leased system), NOT adding to an existing PV system, located within Tucson city limits, and installed by a licensed contractor; The mounted structure must already be legal and permitted before a solar permit can move forward; Non-SolarApp+ eligible projects (e.g., in HPZ/NPZ, ballasted systems, additions to existing PV) must apply through Tucson Development Center Online under the standard 20-business-day Standard Lane review; SolarApp+ submittal requires the contractor's license information and an approved SolarApp+ approval number to be included with the Tucson Development Center Online application; Project description must begin with the word 'SolarApp+' when applying through Tucson Development Center Online for a SolarApp+-eligible project; Solar permit issued within 24 hours of SolarApp+ approval and TDC Online fee payment; virtual/remote inspection is then scheduled through TDC Online. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) at (520) 791-5550 before starting work.

In Tucson, the published SolarApp+ PV permit processing fee (charged by the SolarApp+ website) is: $35.00. Additional published fees: SolarApp+ PV + Storage permit processing fee (charged by the SolarApp+ website) — $25.00; Solar Permit — Photovoltaic Electrical Systems, 1 to 30 PV panels — $122.46; Solar Permit — Photovoltaic Electrical Systems, 31 to 100 PV panels — $199.98; Solar Permit — Photovoltaic Electrical Systems, 101 or more PV panels — $199.98 + $1.12 per panel over 100; Supplementary Equipment for Photovoltaic Electrical Systems (service upgrades, panel relocations, EV chargers, similar) — $28.09 per additional item; Shade structures and solar tracking equipment — Same as Building Permit Fees for New Construction (valuation-based). These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Tucson's published plan-review target for a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit is 1–1 business days.

You'll need: SolarApp+ Automated Review Submittal; Building/Electrical Permit Application (TDC Online). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Tucson requires 2 inspection(s) for a residential solar photovoltaic (pv) permit, in order: Rough Electrical, Final (Virtual). Schedule each through City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) ((520) 791-5550).

Apply through City of Tucson Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD) at Tucson Development Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, 1st Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701. Phone: (520) 791-5550, email: PDSDinquiries@tucsonaz.gov. Office hours: Tucson Development Center, 201 N. Stone Avenue, 1st Floor: Mon.-Thur. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Fridays). Staff available by email/phone Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. Official information: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services.

Tucson, Arizona has adopted: Arizona has no mandatory statewide building code — code adoption is entirely a local (city/county) decision. The City of Tucson adopts its own model building codes, published by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), on a six-year cycle, with local amendments authorized by Ordinance #12171. Source: City of Tucson Planning & Development Services, Building Codes page (tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Codes/Building-Codes).; 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — effective January 1, 2026, as adopted by the City of Tucson with local amendments; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — effective January 1, 2026, as adopted by the City of Tucson with local amendments; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — effective January 1, 2026 (Tucson/Pima County use the International Plumbing Code, not the Uniform Plumbing Code); 2024 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — effective July 1, 2026 (the energy code follows the other 2024 model codes on a delayed effective date); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — effective January 1, 2026; 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) — current adopted edition per City of Tucson Building Codes page; All permit applications and related submittals received on or after July 1, 2026 must comply with the 2024 International Codes and amendments as adopted by the City of Tucson and in effect as of that date, including the 2023 NEC where applicable. Applications submitted before July 1, 2026 continue to be reviewed under the code editions in effect at the time of submittal, unless approved by the Building Official. Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.; Other adopted building regulations (updated less frequently than the six-year model code cycle): Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 5 (Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools); 2012 City of Tucson/Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code; ICC A117.1-2017 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (effective 1/1/26); Inclusive Home Design Ordinance. Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.; Previously adopted (superseded) editions include the 2018 International Building/Residential/Mechanical/Plumbing/Fuel Gas/Existing Building/Swimming Pool & Spa Codes, 2017 NEC, and 2012-cycle International Codes with 2011 NEC. Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.; Sustainability and related codes: City of Tucson Riparian Vegetation Preservation; Commercial Rainwater Harvesting (Engineering Code); EV Charging - Commercial and Multifamily (Zoning Code); Landfill Development Ordinance (Engineering Code); Native Plant Preservation Ordinance (Landscaping Code); Prohibition on Ornamental Turf (Zoning Code, UDC 7.6.4.D); WaterSense Plumbing Fixtures (Building Code). Source: City of Tucson Building Codes page.. Local amendments apply — see the Tucson overview page for the full list.

Licensed contractors using SolarApp+ for an eligible residential rooftop system can receive permit issuance within 24 hours of approval and fee payment. Projects that don't meet SolarApp+ eligibility criteria (e.g., in a Historic/Neighborhood Preservation Zone) must use the standard 20-business-day Tucson Development Center Online review. Source: City of Tucson PDSD Residential Solar Permits page and Permit Review Lanes page.