Do I Need a Permit to Install Solar Panels in Washington?

Solar panel permit requirements. Permits, inspections, utility interconnection, and available incentives.

Yes — both a building and electrical permit are required.

In Washington

WASHINGTON HAS ONE STATE BUILDING CODE IN FORCE EVERYWHERE, ADOPTED BY REFERENCE: "Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following model codes which are hereby adopted by reference:" IN ALL COUNTIES AND CITIES - the model codes named in that section are the code, without any act by your city. AND YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAY CHANGE IT, BUT ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION: "The governing bodies of counties and cities may amend the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council as they apply within their respective jurisdictions, but the amendments shall not result in a code that is less than the minimum performance standards and objectives contained in the state building code except as provided in subsection (2) of this section." NOT LESS THAN THE MINIMUM. So a local amendment may add to the state code and may not fall below it. That is the opposite arrangement from states that cap local rules at the model code, and it means a stricter local requirement in Washington is normal rather than suspect. FOR A HOUSE THERE IS A SECOND GATE, AND IT IS THE PART MOST READERS WOULD NEVER GUESS: "Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council that affects single-family or multifamily residential buildings shall be effective unless the amendment is approved by the building code council under RCW 19.27.074 (1)(b)." SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF APPROVED BY THE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL. A local amendment touching single-family or multifamily residential buildings is not merely constrained - it does not take effect at all until a state council approves it. If you are told a local residential rule differs from the state code, that approval is the thing to ask about. AND THE SOLAR ANSWER IS OFTEN NOT IN THE BUILDING CODE AT ALL, WHICH IS WHY IT IS HARD TO FIND. In Shoreline the provision that actually governs whether a rooftop array fits sits in the DEVELOPMENT code, not the building title: SMC 20.50.050 lists, among structures that "may be erected above the height limits in residential zones", that "Renewable energy systems such as solar collectors and small scale wind generators are allowed an additional 15 feet above the height limit of the zone when camouflaged to the greatest extent possible;". FIFTEEN FEET OF RELIEF, WITH A CONDITION THAT IS A JUDGEMENT RATHER THAN A MEASUREMENT - "camouflaged to the greatest extent possible" is assessed by the city, not satisfied by a dimension, so it is worth settling in pre-application rather than at inspection. If you are looking for your own city's solar rule and the building chapter is silent, look in the zoning or development code next.

Two Permits Required

Solar installations require a building permit (for structural mounting on your roof or ground) and an electrical permit (for wiring from panels to inverter to panel). Most solar installers handle the entire permitting process as part of their service.

Roof Access Requirements

Fire code requires 3-foot access pathways on the roof for firefighter access. Panels cannot cover the entire roof — specific setbacks from ridges, valleys, and edges are required. Your installer will design the layout to comply.

Utility Interconnection

Before your system can be energized and connected to the grid, you need an interconnection agreement with your local utility. This is separate from the city permit. Your installer typically handles this, but it can add 2-4 weeks to the timeline.

Incentives (Read This Carefully — They Change Often)

Solar incentives shift frequently and vary by state and utility, so don't rely on older guides. State tax credits and the federal residential Clean Energy Credit (the ITC, Section 25D) have changed eligibility windows in recent years, and some may no longer apply to new installations. Your utility may offer net-billing terms or limited rebates. Because programs change often, confirm exactly what is available the week you sign — and never let an installer's quote assume a credit that no longer exists.

Yes, permits are required but your solar installer handles them. Budget 5-14 days for permit review plus 2-4 weeks for utility interconnection.

Permit fees by city in Washington

Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.

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Permit fees by city in Washington
	Permit fee	Source
Bonney Lake	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Des Moines	Set by the City Manager or designeeVerified	Electrical permit →
Edmonds	Set by council resolution; not in codeVerified	Electrical Permit →
Issaquah	Not published in the code — ask cityVerified	Electrical Permit →
Kenmore	Set by adopted fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Lake Stevens	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical Permit →
Longview	Ask the city — chapter repeal pendingVerified	Electrical Permit →
Lynnwood	Set by city council fee ordinanceVerified	Electrical Permit →
Maple Valley	Set by Development Fee ScheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Mercer Island	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical permit →
Moses Lake	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical permit →
Mountlake Terrace	Set by annually adopted fee scheduleVerified	Electrical permit →
Pullman	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical permit →
Puyallup	Set by city manager executive orderVerified	Electrical Permit →
Sammamish	See city page for the current Residential Building Permit fee	Residential Building Permit →
SeaTac	Set by City of SeaTac Fee ScheduleVerified	Electrical permit →
Seattle	See city page for the current Electrical Permit fee	Electrical Permit →
Tumwater	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
University Place	Not established; ask city or L&IVerified	Electrical Permit →
Walla Walla	From $30.00, tiered by valuationVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Wenatchee	Not published in code; ask the cityVerified	Electrical Permit →

See the national overview for this permit →