What permits do I need for solar panels in Belgrade?

You need a Building Permit (reviewed against the City's Solar Checklist, covering CAD and engineering requirements) plus an Electrical Permit with the $65 Alternate Energy Source add-on fee. Source: City of Belgrade Solar Checklist and Master Fee Schedule.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Belgrade, Montana

Verified

Required for installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems in Belgrade. Requires both a Building Permit (structural/CAD review per the City's Solar Checklist) and an Electrical Permit with the Alternate Energy Source add-on. Governed by 2020 NEC, 2021 IBC, and 2021 IRC.

Verified 2026-07-03 · Source

FromValuation x 0.0076, plus Plan Review at Valuation x 0.0024Building Permit (valuation-based, project cost used as valuation) — see all 2 fees below

When you need this permit

CAD submittal must include plaques, equipment elevation drawings, neutral pass-thru, NG (Neutral-Ground) bond, production meter, disconnect, and separate PDF pages per component, per the City of Belgrade Solar Checklist
Applicable codes: Electrical work under 2020 NEC; Building under 2021 IBC; Residential under 2021 IRC
Engineering submittal must include a structural engineer stamp, engineering calculations, a one-line diagram, and a wet stamp
Fire setback requirements: eaves 3 feet on one side; ridges 1.5 feet; hips 1.5 feet; valleys 1.5 feet
Electrical Permit must include the $65 Alternate Energy Source add-on on top of the applicable base electrical fee

Required documents

Required
Solar Checklist
City of Belgrade Solar Plan Submittal Requirements — CAD requirements and engineering requirements checklist
Required
Building/Electrical Permit Application
Submitted online through the Cityworks Portal

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building Permit (valuation-based, project cost used as valuation)	Valuation x 0.0076, plus Plan Review at Valuation x 0.0024	City of Belgrade Master Fee Schedule, BUILDING CODE table; no dedicated solar-specific building fee line exists
Alternate Energy Source add-on (Electrical Permit)	$65, added to the applicable base electrical fee (e.g., a private accessory building or residential rewire fee category)	City of Belgrade Master Fee Schedule, Electrical Permits table

Review timeline

Not published

Belgrade does not publish a plan-review timeline — contact the building department for current turnaround.

Inspection process

1
Electrical Rough-In
Conduit runs, wire sizing, neutral-ground bonding, and disconnect placement before energizing
2
Electrical Final
Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing, production meter, and interconnection point verified

Tips

Solar installations must be submitted with separate PDF pages per the City's CAD requirements — plaques, equipment elevation drawings, neutral pass-thru, NG bond, production meter, and disconnect all need their own page.
Fire setbacks for rooftop solar arrays are notably tight: 1.5 feet from ridges, hips, and valleys, and 3 feet from eaves on one side.
No dedicated solar permit fee line exists on the Master Fee Schedule — solar is billed through the standard Building Permit (valuation-based) plus the Electrical Permit's $65 Alternate Energy Source add-on.

Frequently asked questions

What permits do I need for solar panels in Belgrade?: You need a Building Permit (reviewed against the City's Solar Checklist, covering CAD and engineering requirements) plus an Electrical Permit with the $65 Alternate Energy Source add-on fee. Source: City of Belgrade Solar Checklist and Master Fee Schedule.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.

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

Other permits in Belgrade

Residential Building Permit (New Construction, ADU, Addition, Remodel)Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Mechanical / HVAC Permit Land Use Permit (Fence, Deck, Patio, Shed, Accessory Structure)Demolition Permit Commercial Building Permit & Fire Plan Review

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in other cities

Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Montana Billings, Montana Bozeman, Montana Columbia Falls, Montana Great Falls, Montana Havre, Montana Kalispell, Montana Laurel, Montana

Compare solar photovoltaic (pv) permit fees across Montana →

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