Solar Panel Permit in Unincorporated Bernalillo County, New Mexico
VerifiedRequired for residential and commercial solar PV and solar hot water installations (roof-mounted, ground/pole-mounted) in unincorporated Bernalillo County, per the county's Solar Packet (rev. 2/19/2024). Structural engineering may be exempted for roof-mount systems meeting specific weight/height/attachment criteria.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- Rooftop, ground-mounted, or pole-mounted solar PV or solar hot water installation
- Roof-mount systems: engineering calculations required UNLESS all exception criteria are met — typical residential rafter/truss construction (min. 2x4, max 24 in on-center spacing), single-layer roofing material per IRC Section R905 (excluding clay/concrete tile or slate), panels attached directly or via continuous rails at no more than 4 ft on-center, system weight not exceeding 5 psf or 45 lbs concentrated load per attachment point (200 lbs max per framing member), and maximum panel height 18 inches above the roof surface
- Ground/pole-mount systems: engineering required if total structure height above grade (to top of panel) exceeds 6 feet
- Roof-mounted arrays must maintain 3 feet of clearance around the array
- All installations, markings, signage, and warning labels must comply with the current NEC, state codes, and the Uniform Solar Energy Code
Required documents
- Required
Building Permit Application (Solar Packet)
County application form for solar array installations, homeowner or contractor permit type
- Required
Site Plan
Existing structures on site (sheds, garages, etc.) and array location
- Optional
Footing Detail
Required only for ground- or pole-mounted systems — footing length, width, depth below grade, reinforcement
- Optional
Roof Framing Plan
Required only for roof-mounted systems — existing framing slope, member size, grade, and spans
- Required
Solar Array Weight and Loading Calculation Worksheet
County worksheet calculating point load and distributed load per the exception criteria (max 45 lbs per connection point, 200 lbs per framing member; max 5 lbs/sq ft distributed load)
- Required
Electrical One-Line Diagram
Number and rating of PV panels, total system voltage/kW output, conductor and conduit sizes, overcurrent device and disconnect ampacity, main panel/subpanel max ampacity
- Optional
Engineering Calculations (with PE/architect stamp)
Required for roof-mount systems not meeting the exception criteria, and for all ground/pole-mount systems over 6 ft, and for ALL commercial installations (no exception for commercial)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Collectors — Related Piping/Ductwork/Regulating Devices (up to 1,000 sq ft) | $4.00 | Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-C, Item 20 (tiered: $6.00 for 1,001–2,000 sq ft; $6.00 plus $1.50 per 1,000 sq ft over 2,000 sq ft) |
| Solar Storage Tanks (up to 750 gallons) | $3.00 | Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-C, Item 21 (tiered: $4.00 for 751–2,000 gal; $4.00 plus $1.50 per 1,000 gal over 2,000 gal) |
| Solar Rock Storage (up to 1,500 cu ft) | $3.00 | Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-C, Item 22 (tiered: $4.00 for 1,501–3,000 cu ft; $4.00 plus $1.50 per 1,000 cu ft over 3,000 cu ft) |
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, for the array structure) | $30.00 plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of valuation | Resolution 25-2009, Table 3-A — the solar packet's building permit application references 2015 IBC Sec. 108.3/109.3 valuation for setting the fee |
Review timeline
~3–10 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Unincorporated Bernalillo County building department
Inspection process
- 1
Rough Electrical
Conduit runs, wire sizing, disconnect placement before energizing
- 2
Final/Structural
Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration weatherproofing, and electrical connections verified
Tips
- A complete printed submission requires one copy of the site plan and one copy of all other drawings (minimum size 11x17), AND an electronic copy of all documents on CD or flash drive.
- Roof-mounted arrays can be no more than 10 feet above the roof surface (measured from roof to top of array); the engineering-exception path caps panel height at 18 inches above the roof surface.
- For commercial solar installations there is no exception to the engineering requirement — all commercial applications must have an engineer's stamp.
- Battery storage systems must indicate number, size, location, and grounding of batteries on the electrical plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for solar panels in unincorporated Bernalillo County?
- Yes, for all residential and commercial roof-mounted, ground-mounted, or pole-mounted solar PV and solar hot water installations, per the county's Solar Packet (rev. 2/19/2024). Engineering may be exempted for roof-mount systems meeting specific weight, spacing, and height criteria.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- Bernalillo County Planning & Development Services — Building Services (Building Safety Division) — official building department
- Bernalillo County Solar Packet (rev. 2/19/2024)
- Bernalillo County Administrative Resolution 25-2009 — Table 3-C, Items 20-22 (Solar 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 Bernalillo County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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