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Solar Panel Permit in Houston, Texas

Permit for installation of solar (photovoltaic) panels, issued as an electrical permit; plan review is required depending on the scope of work. The city's own page for this permit type does not include prose description text in its 'Permit Description' field beyond the heading. (HPWCODE1119)

Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Licensed contractors must register their license with the City of Houston. Contractor
  • A completed iPermits Acknowledgement Form is required for first-time users of the iPermits system.
  • Large-scale commercial projects may require plan review before approval.

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Solar Panel Permit permit actually take in Houston?

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Inspection process

  1. 1

    Electrical inspection (Houston Public Works Electrical Inspections). Keep permit and approved plans on-site.

  2. 2

    CE-1387 Post Install Solar Inspection Letter serves as a template addressing attachment of solar arrays to single-family residences.

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

Frequently asked questions

Houston requires a solar panel permit for: Licensed contractors must register their license with the City of Houston.; A completed iPermits Acknowledgement Form is required for first-time users of the iPermits system.; Large-scale commercial projects may require plan review before approval.. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office at 832.394.8899 before starting work.

Houston does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office at 832.394.8899 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Electrical Wiring Permit Application (CE1057); Solar Photovoltaic Panel Permit & Inspection Guide (CE1198). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Houston requires 2 inspection(s) for a solar panel permit, in order: Electrical inspection (Houston Public Works Electrical Inspections). Keep permit and approved plans on-site., CE-1387 Post Install Solar Inspection Letter serves as a template addressing attachment of solar arrays to single-family residences.. Schedule each through Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office (832.394.8899).

Apply through Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office at 1002 Washington Ave., 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002. Phone: 832.394.8899, email: permits_office@houstontx.gov. Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Official information: https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/building-code-enforcement/permits.

Houston, Texas has adopted: 2021 International Residential Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 International Building Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 International Existing Building Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 International Fire Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, with Houston Amendments — Residential (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, with Houston Amendments — Commercial (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code, with Houston Amendments (IAPMO) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, with Houston Amendments (IAPMO) — effective January 1, 2024; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024; 2022 Minimum Design Loads & Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 7 (ASCE/SEI) — effective January 1, 2024; ASHRAE 90.1-2019, with Houston Amendments — Commercial (ASHRAE) — effective January 1, 2024; Sign Code, Chapter 46 of the Houston Building Code (City of Houston) — effective July 29, 2020; 2023 National Electrical Code, State Mandated, with Administrative Code Provisions (NFPA) — code effective September 1, 2023 / administrative provisions effective January 1, 2024 — SUPERSEDED, see note below; 2021 Code Words — various sections interpreted and administrative policies (City of Houston). Local amendments apply — see the Houston overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.

Department & other records

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

Houston's permit history isn't searchable here yet

This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Houston yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Houston lands. Privacy.

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Solar Panel Permit in other cities

Bountiful, UtahDraper, UtahEagle Mountain, UtahHerriman, UtahKaysville, UtahLayton, UtahLehi, UtahLogan, Utah

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