Residential Solar Power Permits that Require Plan Review

Solar panels on house

Some residential installations also require a structural review to ensure that the rooftop can accommodate the added load.  

Prepare

Review the criteria on the Exemption from Building Permit Criteria. Installations that meet all of the listed criteria can be submitted for an over the counter electrical permit for  Rooftop PV Installations. If the installation does not meet all of the criteria, prepare and submit construction documents for plan review. 

Select a contractor, and make sure that they have a Mercer Island Business License.

Required Forms

For installations that do not meet the Exemption from Building Permit Criteria:

  1. Electrical Permit Application Form
    All required information on the application form must be included.

Required Documents

For installations that do not meet the Exemption from Building Permit Criteria:

  1. A Construction Plan Set, including:
    1. Site Plan - Show the proposed structure where the system will be installed; boundary lines of the property, required yard setbacks, etc. 
    2. Plan view layout of proposed photovoltaic system.
    3. Sections and details of code compliant layout of panels, roof attachment and panel installation.
    4. If total dead load of complete installation is greater than four pounds per square foot (4psf), include existing roof plan information.

Formatting Requirements for the Plan Set - Submit electronic plan sheets formatted to print to scale of 11"x17" or larger paper. Drawings should be to a scale that is legible and easily reviewed. Plan sheets should be merged into a single PDF document, with each sheet bookmarked with Sheet Number and Description. Click here to learn how to add bookmarks using Adobe Acrobat DC. 

  1. Supplemental Information and Spec Sheets:
    1. Electrical Specifications
    2. Equipment Specifications
    3. If total dead load of complete installation is greater than four pounds per square foot (4psf), submit structural calculations

Submit these documents as individual PDF files. You do not need to bookmark these documents.

How to Apply

Submit your plans, forms and supplemental documents to the Mercer Island Permit Submittal Portal.

Additional Information

 

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