Montgomery County Maryland Residential Solar Permit Guide

Montgomery County residential solar projects generally require both a building permit for panel attachment and an electrical permit for connection to the home's electrical service.

Permit takeaway

DPS explains that residential photovoltaic systems require two permits: a building permit for the attachment of solar panels and an electrical permit for the connection to the home's electrical service.

Zoning and placement

Ground-mounted solar can be treated as a residential accessory structure, and properties with individual well and septic systems can have additional requirements.

Building and trade review

Rooftop solar projects must be applied for electronically, and qualified projects may use the county's eSolar process.

Call before applying when

Call before applying if the project is ground-mounted, on a townhouse four stories or taller, paired with a service upgrade, or located on a well or septic property.

Documents to prepare

• Solar layout
• Roof attachment details
• Electrical one-line or equipment details
• Site plan for ground-mounted systems
• Well and septic information if applicable

Inspection planning

• Apply electronically
• Use eSolar when eligible
• Coordinate building and electrical permits
• Complete required inspections
• Keep final approval with home records

Official sources

• Montgomery County Residential Solar Permit Process
• Montgomery County Residential Permits
• Montgomery County DPS Permit Page

This guide is a planning summary. Always verify the current requirements with the local office before starting work.