Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) / DER Permit in Loveland, Colorado
VerifiedRequired for installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems in Loveland. Because the City operates its own municipal electric utility (Loveland Water and Power), solar installers must first complete a Distributed Energy Resources (DER) interconnection request with Loveland Water and Power before applying for the building/electrical permit through the Building Division.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Step 1: File an interconnection request application and customer authorization form by email to der@cityofloveland.org prior to applying for the building permit
- Step 2-3: Loveland Water and Power's Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Division performs a completeness review, then a technical review to check for special provisions/upgrades needed to connect to the distribution grid
- Step 4: Upon approval, a Notice to Proceed letter is issued with instructions for the specific installation; multiple permits may be required depending on what the Notice to Proceed indicates
- For any electric service equipment changes/upgrades, submit: the Notice to Proceed letter, a fully signed Electric Service Worksheet (ESW) from Loveland Water and Power's Distribution Design Division, and a completed Electrical Fast Track permit application, to eplan-buildingfasttrack@cityofloveland.org
- Minimum contractor licenses required: current City of Loveland Class C or Class C Limited license (Class C requires ICC passed exam or reciprocal-jurisdiction license; Class C Limited requires a valid NABCEP license or reciprocal license), plus a current City of Loveland electrical license; commercial DER projects may require a Class A or B license depending on project scope
- Design must meet all applicable conditions of Loveland Water and Power's Requirements for Electric Service (RFES) and the City of Loveland Building Division's current adopted building codes
Required documents
- Required
DER Interconnection Request Application
Filed by email to der@cityofloveland.org with a customer authorization form, prior to any building permit application
- Optional
Electric Service Worksheet (ESW)
Signed by a Loveland Water and Power Distribution Design engineer; required for service change/upgrade projects
- Required
Electrical Fast Track Permit Application
Submitted after receiving the Notice to Proceed letter, to eplan-buildingfasttrack@cityofloveland.org
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based) | Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data applied to the stated project valuation | City of Loveland 2026 Fee Schedule; no dedicated solar fee waiver was found on the City's published fee schedule |
Review timeline
20–30 business days
Loveland’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Rough Electrical
Conduit runs, wire sizing, and disconnect placement before energizing
- 2
Final
Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing, electrical connections, inverter, and interconnection point verified
Tips
- Loveland is unusual among Colorado cities in operating its own electric utility — solar installers must complete the DER interconnection process with Loveland Water and Power BEFORE the Building Division will accept a building/electrical permit application.
- Incomplete DER application information will delay review and issuance of the eventual building permit.
- For DER utility interconnection questions, contact der@cityofloveland.org; for commercial DER applications, also email der@cityofloveland.org to request the commercial application form.
- All DER/solar systems require a building permit, which the Building Division processes under its single governing plan-review turnaround — 'The current plan review estimate for permits is 20-30 working days per round of review,' per the City's Permitting FAQ's page. The utility-side DER interconnection review (completeness review then technical review by Loveland Water and Power) runs separately and has no published day-count; the City's Rooftop Solar - Contractors guide states no solar-specific building-permit review time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the first step to install rooftop solar in Loveland?
- Before applying for a building permit, contractors must file a Distributed Energy Resources (DER) interconnection request application and customer authorization form with Loveland Water and Power by emailing der@cityofloveland.org.
- How long does solar/DER building-permit review take in Loveland?
- The City of Loveland Building Division applies its single governing estimate of 20-30 working days per round of review (Permitting FAQ's page) to solar/DER building permits; the separate utility-side DER interconnection review by Loveland Water and Power has no published day-count and the Rooftop Solar guide states no solar-specific review timeline.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Loveland Building Division (Development Services Department) — official building department
- Rooftop Solar - Contractors (PDF) | City of Loveland / Loveland Water and Power
- Contractor Licensing | City of Loveland
- Residential Electrical Fast Track Permit Application (PDF) | City of Loveland
- Permitting FAQ's (published plan review estimate: 20-30 working days per round of review) | City of Loveland
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 Loveland building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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