Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit in Unincorporated Washoe County, Nevada
Required for rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV systems on residential and commercial properties in unincorporated Washoe County. Requires both a building/solar permit for the structural and collector installation and a separate electrical permit for wiring.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Solar PV building permit for panel mounting, racking, and collector installation
- Separate electrical permit for wiring, inverter connections, and interconnection
- Submit via ONe NV permit portal; include roof plan, electrical single-line diagram, equipment specs, and structural analysis
- NV Energy interconnection approval required before energizing system
Required documents
- Req
Residential Building Permit Application (2023)
For the structural/collector installation portion
- Req
Solar Roof Plan / Site Plan
Showing panel layout, roof access pathways, and setbacks
- Req
Electrical Single-Line Diagram
Wiring from panels to inverter to main panel
- Req
Equipment Specifications
Data sheets for panels, inverter, and racking system
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Permit Issuance — base fee | $45.00 | WCC Chapter 100, Appendix A, Table 6, item 1 |
| Solar collectors — up to 1,000 sq ft | $8.00 | Table 6, item 2 — in addition to $45 base |
| Solar collectors — 1,001 to 2,000 sq ft | $12.00 | Table 6, item 2 |
| Solar collectors — over 2,000 sq ft | $12.00 plus $1.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft | Table 6, item 2 |
| Electrical permit for solar wiring (new SFD/residential — per sq ft) | $45.00 base + $0.04 per sq ft (or unit fee for alterations: $45 base + $0.03/sq ft) | Table 8 — separate electrical permit required |
Review timeline
~5–20 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Washoe County building department
Inspection process
- 1
Rough Electrical
Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before energizing
- 2
Final — Structural / Building
Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing verified
- 3
Final — Electrical
Electrical connections, inverter installation, and interconnection point verified
Tips
- Two separate permits are required: a solar/building permit for the collector installation and a separate electrical permit for wiring.
- Washoe County's minimum roof snow load is 29 psf — structural calculations must account for combined panel weight and snow load.
- NV Energy (the local utility) interconnection approval is required before the system can be energized.
- Verify WUI zoning — in Wildland-Urban Interface areas, solar racking and penetrations must be installed per WUI requirements.
Frequently asked questions
- What permits are required for rooftop solar in unincorporated Washoe County?
- Two permits are required: (1) a solar/building permit (Table 6 fees: $45 base + $8 for collectors up to 1,000 sq ft) for the structural mounting, and (2) a separate electrical permit (Table 8 fees) for the wiring and inverter. Both must be obtained before installation begins.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- Washoe County Building Program — official building department
- Washoe County Code Chapter 100, Appendix A, Table 6 — Solar Energy Permit Fees
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 Unincorporated Washoe County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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