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Solar PV Permit in Reno, Nevada

Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems on residential and commercial properties in Reno. Processed as a valuation-based permit (Solar PV Systems) requiring plans including structural calculations, electrical design, and equipment specifications.

Verified 2026-06-30 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Rooftop solar panel installation — single-family and multi-family
  • Ground-mounted solar array installation
  • Battery storage system installation associated with solar
  • Valuation-based permit — both plan review and inspection fees apply
  • Licensed electrical contractor or journeyman required on site for inspections (Reno Ordinance No. 6400)
  • Structural calculations required (roof load analysis including snow 29 psf min and seismic SDC D2)
  • Electrical single-line diagram and load calculations required
  • Plans must be stamped by engineer of record

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Application FeeCity of Reno FY26/27 Valuation Based Permit fee structure
$45.00
Building Permit Fee (Inspection) — valuation-basedCity of Reno FY27 Valuation Based Permit Types: 'Solar (PV Systems) — Single Family Roof Top Mounted' is listed as a valuation-based residential permit
Varies — valuation-based per Permit Fee Table (construction cost of solar system)
Plan Review Fee
65% of the Building Permit Fee
Permit Issuance Fee
$45.00

Review timeline

Plan reviewTypical estimate — confirm current times with the Reno building department
~10–20 business days

How long did your Solar PV Permit permit actually take in Reno?

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Inspection process

  1. 1

    Rough Electrical

    Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement — before walls or ceiling cover

  2. 2

    Final — Structural / Racking

    Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing verified

  3. 3

    Final — Electrical

    All connections, inverter, and interconnection point verified; licensed contractor/journeyman must be on site

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

Tips

  • Reno's solar permit is valuation-based — fees depend on the total cost of the solar system installation.
  • Structural calculations must account for Reno's 29 psf minimum roof snow load, SDC D2 seismic, and 120 mph Vult wind speed — these are notable for Northern Nevada.
  • De-rated main service panels must have a permanently applied label indicating the new rating; electrical load calculations are required for all de-rated panels.
  • NV Energy (NV Energy.com) is the utility for interconnection approval in Reno.
  • The 2024 NEC (with NNICC amendments) contains specific NEC Article 690 solar requirements, including DC PV circuit marking requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Reno requires a solar pv permit for: Rooftop solar panel installation — single-family and multi-family; Ground-mounted solar array installation; Battery storage system installation associated with solar; Valuation-based permit — both plan review and inspection fees apply; Licensed electrical contractor or journeyman required on site for inspections (Reno Ordinance No. 6400); Structural calculations required (roof load analysis including snow 29 psf min and seismic SDC D2); Electrical single-line diagram and load calculations required; Plans must be stamped by engineer of record. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division at (775) 334-2063 before starting work.

Reno processes solar PV systems as a valuation-based permit, so the exact fee depends on the construction cost of the installation. You pay an application fee ($45.00), a permit fee based on valuation using the Permit Fee Table, a plan review fee (65% of permit fee), and a permit issuance fee ($45.00).

Plan review for a solar pv permit in Reno typically runs 10–20 business days. This is an estimate, not a published figure — confirm current review times with City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division at (775) 334-2063.

You'll need: Solar Permit Application (via onenv.us); Solar Permit Guidelines (Jul 1, 2025); Site Plan; Framing Details; Electrical Plan; Structural Calculations; Equipment Specifications. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Reno requires 3 inspection(s) for a solar pv permit, in order: Rough Electrical, Final — Structural / Racking, Final — Electrical. Schedule each through City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division ((775) 334-2063).

Apply through City of Reno Development Services — Building and Safety Division at 1 E. 1st Street, Reno, NV 89505. Phone: (775) 334-2063, email: permits@reno.gov. Office hours: Mon–Fri (contact department for current hours). Official information: https://www.reno.gov/business-development/development-services/building-permits.php.

Reno, Nevada has adopted: 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (NNICC); effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; effective July 1, 2025; 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (commercial/multi-family); 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (residential single-family); 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments (NOTE: Reno uses UPC, not IPC); 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — with 2024 Northern Nevada ICC Amendments; effective July 1, 2025; Nevada Blue Book (2020) — statewide construction industry reference, incorporates NRS/NAC provisions. Local amendments apply — see the Reno overview page for the full list.

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

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Solar PV Permit in other cities

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