Before you start your project, you need to know what regulations apply to your property and what factors may impact your project. You'll need to consider:

Historic Landmark Status

Any project that involves changes to the exterior of landmark structures or properties in historic landmark districts must be reviewed by Landmark Preservation staff before you begin. The appropriate zoning, building, curb cut, or revocable permits needed for the project will be issued only after design review has been completed and the project has been approved. To determine your property’s landmark status, use the DevelopDENVER tool to the right. Then, visit the Design Review web page for more information.

Zoning

Zoning establishes standards for things such as the size and location of structures and acceptable uses for your property. Before you begin construction, you need to be sure your project is in compliance with the Denver Zoning Code. Use the DevelopDENVER tool to the right to determine the zoning for your property. In the results, click on your zone district for descriptions and definitions; then, click on your neighborhood context for more information on zoning in your area. 

NOTE: If your photovoltaic panels are flush-mounted per the definition in Section 13.3 of the Denver Zoning Code, no zoning permit is required.

Building Code

Denver Building Code provides minimum standards for building in order to safeguard public safety, health and welfare. The permitting and inspection process ensures that all home projects meet these standards and that all dwellings are safe and habitable at the time of construction.

Listed in the order they must be obtained. All permits must be in hand and at site before work may begin.

1. A valid City of Denver Contractor’s License or having passed a Homeowner’s Exam

2. Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness (if applicable)

Landmark approval is required before you obtain electrical permits, if the structure on which the solar system will be mounted is a designated structure for preservation or is in a district designated for preservation under the provisions of the Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC) Chapter 30. Use the DevelopDENVER map to find out if your site is a landmark/historic district, and then visit Landmark's Design Review webpage for more information.

3. Zoning permit (if applicable)

• A zoning permit is required if the panels will be installed at an angle to the slope of the roof and do not meet the definition of “solar panel, flush mounted” per Denver Zoning Code Section 13.3, or 

• if a generator or battery backup system is a part of the project and will be located on the exterior of the structure.

What to submit

• A site plan and elevations that show, at a minimum, the PV system/panels' height, bulk, and setback.

4. Electrical permit

For single-family homes/duplexes:

1. Select Development Services > Apply for a Permit > Building Log
2. Under Project Classification, select Single-Family/Duplex Residential 
3. Under Project Scope, select Solar Panels
4. Indicate wheather or not the solar system 10KW or above
   • For systems 10 KW in size and over, stamped and signed engineered plans must be submitted  

For commercial/multi-family buildings and IRC townhomes:

1. Select Development Services > Apply for a Permit > Building Log
2. Under Project Classification, select Commercial/Multi-family buildings or IRC Townhome
3. Under Project Scope, select Solar Panels
   • For all Commercial and IRC Townhomes, regardless of KW, stamped and signed engineered plans must be submitted

Note: All PV systems must apply for a Building Log, NOT a Quick Permit.

What to submit

For the electrical review, you will need two sets of plans that include:

• Complete one-line diagram
• Supporting calculations
• Equipment catalog sheets
• The items listed in building code policy IRC M2301 (PDF)

NOTE: If you plan to install a PV solar system on your house or duplex that is rated 10 kW and above, you will need to provide all of the documentation above as well as the stamp and signature of a Colorado-licensed professional engineer on the one-line diagram and calculations. 

You may use the Permit Process for PV System forms prepared by the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards to provide the required information for the commercial electrical review, which can be found on the board's website.

5. Plumbing permit (if applicable) –

A plumbing permit (a Quick Permit) is required for solar hot water systems at single-family and duplex properties. Commercial/multifamily solar hot water systems cannot be done on a quick permit and must instead be logged in for review.

Estimate Fees
Zoning and building permit fees are based on valuation of the work to be completed, including the labor and materials. View the permit fee schedules to estimate the fees required for your project. Fees for solar panels are capped at $50 for the electrical permit. 

All approved construction plans and documents, permits, and inspector signature card must be available on-site upon request.

Typical inspections for installation of solar panels include the following:

• Rough Utilities (Electrical and Plumbing)
• Final Utilities (Electrical and Plumbing)
  • Note: You must provide a ladder at the time of inspection for all roof-mounted inspections
• Zoning inspection required for PV systems with tilt-up panels on roof
• NIS inspection required where PV roof panels are within 1 foot of the maximum height, or where panels are located near bulk plane edge

Building code policy IRC M2301 (PDF) details PV inspection requirements. Make sure to download and review it before scheduling an inspection.

Note: The inspections listed above may vary depending on the complexity of your project. You will be advised as to which inspections your project requires through the permitting process.

This guide provides new 2018 IRC requirements generally necessary to apply for electrical permits related to residential solar photovoltaic (PV) panel systems in Denver. As every project is unique, further information may be required to show compliance with current codes and policies. Additional solar panel plan requirements can be found in the Solar Energy System Permits Policy IRC M2301 (PDF). This guide should not be used as a substitute for codes, standards, or regulations.

The following information is provided to better clarify the required locations of residential roof access, pathways, and setback requirements for rooftop PV systems in accordance with the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) Section R324.6. The intent of this code section is to provide pathways to specific areas of the roof, provide smoke ventilation opportunity areas, and to provide emergency egress from the roof. Illustrations are provided at the end of this guide.

Plan Submittal Checklist

• A site plan showing the location of all buildings on the property. 
• Plans shall show the location of the layout of the solar panels on the roof. 
• Plans shall include both the IRC required roof access and pathways setbacks. 
• Plans shall include dimensions and shading/hatching for clarity. 
• Plans shall show the locations of all roof mounted mechanical equipment, vent pipes, and other equipment located on the roof that could obstruct the pathways. 
• Specify the applicable codes.