Does Longmont's own electric utility get involved in my solar permit?

Yes. Longmont Power & Communications (LPC), the city's own municipal electric utility (not a third-party utility like Xcel Energy), reviews and approves the interconnection checklist and one-line diagram as part of every solar PV building permit application. After the building permit final inspection passes, LPC then sets the bi-directional net meter and performs anti-islanding/pre-parallel testing before granting Permission to Operate.

How much can Longmont charge for a residential solar permit?

Colorado's Fair Permit Act (SB17-179, CRS 24-32-3319) caps the aggregate of all city permit and plan-review fees for a residential active solar energy system at $500 total ($1,000 for commercial). Longmont's own Solar PV Systems page confirms fees are capped under this statute.

Solar PV Permit in Longmont, Colorado

Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems in Longmont. Longmont Power & Communications (LPC) — the city's own municipal electric utility — reviews the interconnection checklist and one-line diagram as part of the building permit process. Fees are statutorily capped for residential/commercial installations under Colorado's Fair Permit Act (SB17-179 / CRS 24-32-3319, commonly referenced by applicants as 'HB 1199').

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

Solar PV permit application submitted to Longmont Building Services via the ACA portal; required documents also emailed to building.inspection@longmontcolorado.gov
LPC engineers must review and approve the interconnection checklist and one-line diagram submitted with the building permit application
Systems up to 50 kW are eligible for LPC's net metering / RGEN rate; systems over 50 kW are reviewed case-by-case with additional requirements
Expedited 'Solar ABC's Expedited Permit Process' review (5 business-day turnaround) available for complete applications meeting eligibility criteria — installations requiring an electrical service upgrade do NOT qualify for the expedited path
After installation passes final building inspection, Longmont Building Inspection notifies LPC, which then sets the bi-directional net meter and performs anti-islanding/pre-parallel testing before issuing Permission to Operate (PTO)
Fees are capped by Colorado's Fair Permit Act: $500 aggregate cap for residential active solar energy system permits, $1,000 for commercial

Required documents

Req
Solar PV Permit Application (via ACA portal)
Online application through Accela Citizen Access
Req
Solar PV Requirements document (showpublisheddocument-30070)
City of Longmont's submittal specifications for solar PV permits
Req
Small Generation Interconnection Checklist (LPC)
LPC's interconnection checklist and one-line diagram requirements for grid-tied solar systems
Opt
Solar ABC's Expedited Permit Process criteria
Brooks Engineering-developed criteria used by Longmont to qualify complete applications for 5-business-day expedited review

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Residential Active Solar Energy System — statutory aggregate fee cap	$500.00 maximum (all city permit, plan review, and related fees combined)	Colorado Fair Permit Act (SB17-179, codified at CRS 24-32-3319); referenced by Longmont's Solar PV Systems page as 'Solar PV system fees are capped per House Bill 1199' — the statutory citation is confirmed via the Colorado General Assembly; the informal 'HB 1199' name as used by the city was not independently cross-verified against the bill number
Commercial Active Solar Energy System — statutory aggregate fee cap	$1,000.00 maximum	Colorado Fair Permit Act (SB17-179 / CRS 24-32-3319)

Review timeline

5–5 business days

Longmont’s published plan-review target

Inspection process

1
Rough Electrical
Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before cover
2
Final — Building
Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing, all electrical connections verified
3
LPC Meter Set / Anti-Islanding Test
After final building inspection passes, LPC sets the bi-directional net meter and performs anti-islanding and pre-parallel testing before issuing Permission to Operate (PTO)

Tips

Longmont Power & Communications (LPC) is a mandatory reviewer for every solar PV permit — this is a direct consequence of Longmont running its own municipal electric utility rather than being served by an investor-owned utility like Xcel Energy. Budget time for LPC's interconnection checklist/one-line-diagram review in addition to the building permit review itself.
The 5-business-day expedited review path only applies to COMPLETE applications that meet the Solar ABC's Expedited Permit Process criteria — any project requiring an electrical service upgrade is automatically excluded from the expedited track and follows standard review timing.
Colorado's statutory solar permit fee cap ($500 residential / $1,000 commercial, aggregate across all city fees) applies in Longmont — if a proposed total exceeds this, confirm with Building Services that all charged fees are properly aggregated under the cap.
LPC's net metering pays excess generation back to the customer at the retail rate for systems up to 50 kW; larger systems are handled case-by-case.

Frequently asked questions

Does Longmont's own electric utility get involved in my solar permit?: Yes. Longmont Power & Communications (LPC), the city's own municipal electric utility (not a third-party utility like Xcel Energy), reviews and approves the interconnection checklist and one-line diagram as part of every solar PV building permit application. After the building permit final inspection passes, LPC then sets the bi-directional net meter and performs anti-islanding/pre-parallel testing before granting Permission to Operate.
How much can Longmont charge for a residential solar permit?: Colorado's Fair Permit Act (SB17-179, CRS 24-32-3319) caps the aggregate of all city permit and plan-review fees for a residential active solar energy system at $500 total ($1,000 for commercial). Longmont's own Solar PV Systems page confirms fees are capped under this statute.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.

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

Other permits in Longmont

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Addition / Remodel Permit Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Roofing Permit (Reroof)Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit Demolition Permit Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit Deck / Covered Patio Permit

Get the AI compliance checklist

Upload your project scope, get a jurisdiction-specific checklist of everything you need. Coming soon.

We only use your email to send permit updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.