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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Meridian, Idaho

Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems on residential properties in Meridian. A building permit is required for all PV installations; electrical plan review is required for all PV installations. Apply as 'Residential Electrical Solar Array' through the Citizen Access Portal. Contact Idaho Power before starting regarding net billing.

Verified 2026-06-29 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Building permit required for all solar PV installations (structural/mounting)
  • Electrical plan review required for all photovoltaic installations
  • Apply as 'Residential Electrical Solar Array' permit type through the Citizen Access Portal
  • Comply with Meridian Unified Development Code (UDC) Title 11 and Title 10 Building Regulations
  • Roof-mounted panels must be mounted on roof of existing or concurrently proposed building
  • Ground-mounted panels must comply with setbacks and height limitations of the zoning district
  • Contact Idaho Power before starting regarding net billing application (required for interconnection)

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Solar PV Permit — project value $0 to $2,000City of Meridian — Solar Energy page (meridiancity.org/public-works/environmental/solar-energy/); applicant provides bid amount as project value
$40 base fee plus 2.5% of project value
Solar PV Permit — project value $2,001 to $10,000City of Meridian — Solar Energy page (meridiancity.org/public-works/environmental/solar-energy/)
$100 base fee plus 1% of project value
Solar PV Permit — project value over $10,001City of Meridian — Solar Energy page (meridiancity.org/public-works/environmental/solar-energy/)
$180 base fee plus 0.5% of the portion over $10,000

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Meridian building department
~1–10 business days

How long did your Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit permit actually take in Meridian?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Rough Electrical

    Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before energizing — required per electrical plan review

  2. 2

    Final — Building / Structural

    Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing verified

  3. 3

    Final — Electrical

    Electrical connections, inverter, and interconnection point verified; Idaho Power will be involved in a system test after municipal electrical inspection passes

See the full Meridian inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Electrical plan review is required for all photovoltaic installations in Meridian — do not skip.
  • Apply as 'Residential Electrical Solar Array' permit type through the Citizen Access Portal.
  • Meridian is a SolSmart designated community — the city actively works to streamline solar permitting.
  • Solar permit fees are based on the bid amount (project value) you provide — not square footage or system size.
  • Contact Idaho Power (800-632-6605 or generation@idahopower.com) about the net billing application before starting. Idaho Power will be involved in a system test after the city electrical inspection passes.
  • Roof snow load minimum is 25 PSF — structural calculations must account for both panel weight and snow load.
  • The Residential Solar Submittal Checklist is available from the Residential Checklists page.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Electrical plan review is required for all photovoltaic installations in Meridian. Apply as 'Residential Electrical Solar Array' through the Citizen Access Portal at citizenportal.meridiancity.org.

Solar permit fees in Meridian are based on the project bid value. For a typical residential solar installation valued at $15,000: $180 + 0.5% of $5,000 over $10,000 = $180 + $25 = $205. Use the formula: $0–$2,000: $40 + 2.5% of value; $2,001–$10,000: $100 + 1% of value; over $10,001: $180 + 0.5% of portion over $10,000. Source: meridiancity.org/public-works/environmental/solar-energy/.

Plan review for a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit in Meridian typically runs 1–10 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with Meridian Community Development — Building Services at (208) 887-2211.

You'll need: Residential Solar Submittal Checklist and Standards; Electrical Single-Line Diagram; Structural Roof Framing / Load Calculations. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Meridian requires 3 inspection(s) for a solar photovoltaic (pv) permit, in order: Rough Electrical, Final — Building / Structural, Final — Electrical. Schedule each through Meridian Community Development — Building Services ((208) 887-2211).

Apply through Meridian Community Development — Building Services at 33 E. Broadway Avenue, Suite 102, Meridian, ID 83642. Phone: (208) 887-2211, email: building@meridiancity.org. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Official information: https://meridiancity.org/community-development/building/.

Meridian, Idaho has adopted: 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — with local amendments; effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) — with local amendments; effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — with local amendments; effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — with local amendments; effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — with local amendments; effective January 1, 2021; 2018 International Fuel & Gas Code (IFGC) — with local amendments; effective January 1, 2021; 2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (ISPC, based on the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code) — effective January 1, 2021; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted via Idaho HB337 (IC 54-1001), effective July 1, 2023. Local amendments apply — see the Meridian overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.

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

Other permits in Meridian

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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in other cities

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