Solar PV Permit in Arvada, Colorado
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems on residential and commercial structures in Arvada. Reviewed against the currently adopted 2023 NEC, plus Arvada's wind (136/150 Vult), snow (30 psf), and Exposure C design criteria.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Engineer's report required on the existing roof structure's dead-load capacity to support the added PV system weight, including site-specific wind speed and roof snow load
- Engineer-stamped wiring diagram required, following the adopted National Electrical Code, showing conductor sizing, overcurrent device ratings, panel busbar ratings, and module series/parallel configuration
- Equipment cut sheets required for modules, inverters, disconnects, and any batteries, including UL listings and rapid-shutdown compliance
- Subcontractor approval form required if the electrical contractor is not associated with the general contractor
- Roof-mounted systems must use permanent standoffs mounted to structural members and properly flashed to accommodate future re-roofing
Required documents
- Req
Solar Permit Application (eTRAKiT)
Apply online at arvadapermits.org or drop off plans/application in person at City Hall
- Req
Plan Set / Plot Plan with 3-Line Wiring Diagram
Equipment location within the structure and a three-line wiring diagram
- Req
Engineer's Structural Report
Dead-load capacity analysis for the existing roof, including required wind speed and roof snow load for the site
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Permit Fee — Residential | $50.00 | City of Arvada Solar permit page, current published flat fee |
| Solar Permit Fee — Commercial | Table 18-1 valuation-based fee, not to exceed $1,000.00 | City of Arvada Solar permit page |
| Plan Review Fee | $36.00 | City of Arvada Solar permit page |
| Use Tax | Assessed on the full system valuation prior to any rebates | City of Arvada Solar permit page; Arvada Municipal Code § 98-84 |
Review timeline
0–7 business days
Arvada’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Rough Electrical
New construction projects only
- 2
Rough Framing
New construction projects only
- 3
Final Building
Racking attachment and roof penetration sealing verified
- 4
Final Electrical
All electrical connections and interconnection verified
Tips
- Arvada's flat $50 residential solar permit fee (plus a $36 plan review fee and use tax) is inexpensive relative to the valuation-based schedule used for most other permit types.
- A technical plan review is completed within 7 days of a complete application submission, per the City's published solar permit page.
- Engineer's structural reports for solar must explicitly state the wind speed (136 Vult east of Hwy 93 / 150 Vult west of Hwy 93) and roof snow load (30 psf) used in the dead-load analysis — these are Arvada's adopted design criteria, not generic defaults.
- Use tax is calculated on the full system valuation BEFORE any utility or tax rebates are applied.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a solar permit cost in Arvada?
- A residential solar PV permit in Arvada costs a flat $50.00, plus a $36.00 plan review fee and applicable use tax. Commercial solar permits use the Table 18-1 valuation-based fee schedule, capped at a maximum of $1,000.00.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Arvada — Building Safety Division — official building department
- City of Arvada — Solar
- City of Arvada — Adopted Building Code (wind/snow design criteria)
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 Arvada building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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