Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Lafayette, Colorado

Lafayette requires a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit for: Completed Building Permit Application with, at minimum, system size (kW DC), system type (residential or non-residential), and mount type (roof or ground) noted in the 'detail description' field; Permit application and plans submitted as a single document, application as first page, emailed to buildingpermits@lafayetteco.gov; Structural: site and roof plans showing equipment locations and setbacks for ground-mount systems; structural plans with a Colorado-licensed engineer's calculations and evaluation; all diagrams and the evaluation letter must be stamped and signed by a Colorado licensed engineer showing existing structure compliance with 30 psf snow load and 105 mph 3-second-gust wind load; roof plan must show layout, PV panels, and fire-safety items (roof access point, code-compliant access pathways, PV system fire classification, required labels/markings); Electrical: all work must comply with the 2023 NEC without amendments; one-line site-specific electrical diagram (panel arrangement, north arrow, lot dimensions, distances to adjacent structures); equipment schedule with listings; grounding/bonding and conductor specs; total module count, strings, and modules per string; module and inverter ratings; required disconnect/OCPD signage; battery locations/venting if applicable; Electrical drawings require a PE stamp for PV systems 'greater than or equal to 10kW DC' — note this threshold is inclusive of exactly 10kW (corrected 2026-07-16 against the live PV checklist, which resolves an ambiguity the City itself flagged in the document's own editorial comments); All plan sheets must be sized no larger than 11 x 17 inches and must each include the building name/street address, sheet number/purpose, the stamp of the design professional who oversaw the sheet, and an area in the lower right-hand corner reserved for City Approval Stamps; Fire setbacks must be labeled on the site plan: 18 inches from the ridge line of the roof, and 36-inch pathways for each slope containing modules; The following related project types require a SEPARATE building permit and must be submitted as Quick Permits via the MyGov Portal rather than being rolled into the PV permit: Electrical Service Change; Main Panel Upgrade; EV Chargers; Energy Storage Systems (ESS); A state-licensed journeyman or master electrician employed by a Colorado-licensed contractor performs the installation per NEC/IRC requirements (per the City's solar submittal materials); Post-installation: a Rapid Shutdown Certification on company letterhead (10-second shutdown test results, tester name, Master License Number) must be attached to the inspection record card at time of final inspection. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department, Building Division at 303-661-1451 before starting work.

A flat $100 fee, plus applicable City and County use tax. Additional plan review for revisions is billed at $75/hour with a half-hour ($37.50) minimum per revision.

Lafayette's published plan-review target for a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit is 3–3 business days.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Structural Plans and Engineer's Evaluation; One-Line Electrical Diagram; Rapid Shutdown Certification. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Lafayette requires 1 inspection(s) for a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit, in order: Final Inspection (combined structural + electrical). Schedule each through City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department, Building Division (303-661-1451).

Apply through City of Lafayette Planning & Building Department, Building Division at 1290 S. Public Road, Lafayette, CO 80026. Phone: 303-661-1451, email: buildingpermits@lafayetteco.gov. Office hours: City Hall public access hours Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; Building staff available via phone/email during regular business hours. Main city line (303) 665-5588; Building Division direct line (303) 661-1451; Planning staff (303) 661-1270.. Official information: https://www.lafayetteco.gov/92/Planning-Building-Department.

Lafayette, Colorado has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted with an effective date of August 1, 2023, per the 2023 Lafayette Colorado Building Code. Source: City of Lafayette Building Code & Design Information page, https://www.lafayetteco.gov/361/Building-Code-Design-Information; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted with the same August 1, 2023 effective date; includes a local amendment requiring Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles (effective March 15, 2021) for reroofing. Source: same page as above; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC); 2021 International Fire Code (IFC); 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — includes local commercial low-slope roof reflectance/emittance requirements per IECC Section C402.3, Table C402.3; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC); 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC); 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC); 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC); 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — the City's live Solar Permit Application Process document states 'All work shall comply with the 2023 National Electric Code without amendments.' (re-grounded 2026-07-16 on a live primary source after the Solar Photovoltaic Plan Review and Inspections webpage that previously carried this quote was removed from the site). Source (PDF): https://www.lafayetteco.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17165/Lafayette-Solar--Permit-Process; 2023 Lafayette Colorado Building Code — the City's consolidated adoption document incorporating the 2021 I-Code package plus local strengthening amendments and the 2023 NEC; effective August 1, 2023. Source (PDF): https://www.lafayetteco.gov/DocumentCenter/View/36791/2023-Lafayette-Colorado-Building-Code-Final; Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code — adopted statewide in 2025; applies within State-mapped low- or medium-risk wildfire areas in Lafayette (128 acres total: 44 acres of open space on the southeast edge of the city, 84 acres along the west side near Nyland Way and Brittney Lane). Requires non-combustible building materials for new construction in mapped areas and defines defensible-space/fuel-reduction guidelines within 30 feet of structures. Source: City of Lafayette Building Code & Design Information page, https://www.lafayetteco.gov/361/Building-Code-Design-Information. Local amendments apply — see the Lafayette overview page for the full list.

The City has committed to issuing solar PV permits within three business days of a complete application.