A Solar Energy System permit is required for all solar photovoltaic systems, including roof mounted and ground mounted systems. The Solar Energy System permits are available online via the Permitting Web Portal.

You may apply for a permit online.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call 540-432-7700 or email us at permits@harrisonburgva.gov.

Design Criteria

The City of Harrisonburg has adopted the following codes:

  • 2018 Virginia Residential Code (VRC) for residential installations
  • 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) for commercial installations

The following local design criteria should be used: 

  • Wind Speed – 115 ultimate
  • Snow Load – 42.5 ppsf
  • Frost Depth – 24”
  • Soil Bearing – 1500#

The applicant must show proof that the addition of the panels to the roof would not cause excessive loads outside the roof’s design parameters.

Zoning Determination

The City of Harrisonburg Zoning Ordinance (ZO) does not list solar photovoltaic (PV) installations as either a primary or an accessory use. 

  1. Utility-scale (large-scale) solar PV are permitted by right only in the M-1, General Industrial District and shall meet the area and dimensional requirements of the zoning district.
  2. Roof mounted solar PV are an accessory use to a permitted principal use, may be installed on principal and accessory structures and is permitted by right in all zoning districts. Roof mounted solar PV shall meet the area and dimensional requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.
  3. Small-scale, ground mounted solar PV (ex. ground mounted solar on a single-family detached property) are an accessory structure and shall meet accessory structure setbacks and area and dimensional requirements of the zoning district. 

Relevant Code Sections: 

  1. ZO Sec. 10-3-96 (1). Uses permitted by right (in the M-1, General Industrial District)
  2. Area and dimensional regulations sections of all zoning districts
  3. Article T.-Modifications and Adjustments
Solar Energy System Permits

SolarAPP+ Residential Rooftop Solar

Certain residential rooftop systems may be processed through the expedited permit system SolarAPP+. Review the Eligibility Checklist to determine whether your project qualifies for expedited processing. SolarAPP+ includes an additional fee of $25 to support SolarAPP+ updates.

To learn more about SolarAPP+ visit the SolarAPP+ Information page.

Submitting a Solar Energy System Permit

All Solar Energy System permits are available online. In addition to completing the online form, you will have to submit:

  • Manufacturer Specifications
  • Site Plan – If submitting for a ground-mounted system

Permit Fees

Permit fees are based on the value of the work and start as $60.00 for the first $2000, plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof. An additional 2% State Levy is assessed.

Review Process Timeline

The Department of Community Development, Building Inspections Division is committed to providing a timely review of solar permit applications. Solar permit applications are reviewed for compliance with:

  • Harrisonburg Electric Commission requirements
  • Zoning Ordinance
  • Building Codes
  • Electrical Codes

Best efforts are made to review completed solar applications within 14 days. These turnaround times are typical, not guaranteed. The Building Inspections Division has a staff of dedicated individuals, but workloads, holidays, vacations, and sick leave can cause unforeseen delays that may impact turnaround time. Certain circumstances that can prolong the permit turnaround time are: 

  • Applicant did not submit all required information
  • Applicant is not a licensed contractor (some exceptions apply)
  • Equipment is not listed
  • Applicant is not timely in making re-submittals or providing additional information
Inspections

You may schedule an inspection on the permit website or by phone at 540-432-7700. Please allow 24 hours advance notice for any inspections. Most rooftop mounted systems will require one (1) inspection visit. The inspector will inspect for compliance with:

  • Building Codes
  • Electrical Codes

Ground-mounted systems will require a footer inspection prior to installation.

Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Field Inspection Checklist

This checklist provides basic guidelines for inspecting most residential rooftop solar PV systems. Ground-mounted systems, systems with energy storage, building-integrated systems, and commercial systems, for example, would not be fully covered by this checklist. The intent of using the checklist is to provide transparent and well-defined information to minimize the number of re-inspections and accelerate project completion for most PV systems. These guidelines are not exhaustive. 

Make sure all PV disconnects and circuit breakers are in the open position and verify the following:

  1. All work done in a neat and workmanlike manner [NEC 110.12].
  2. PV module model number, quantity, and location according to the approved plan.
  3. Array mounting system and structural connections according to the approved plan and manufacturers’ instructions.
  4. Roof penetrations flashed/sealed according to the approved plan and manufacturers’ instructions.
  5. Exposed cables are properly secured, supported, and routed to prevent physical damage.
  6. Conduit installation according to NEC 690.31 and the approved plan.
  7. Firefighter access according to IRC R324 and the approved plan.
  8. Roof-mounted PV mounting system and modules have sufficient fire classification [IRC R324.4.2].
  9. Grounding/bonding of rack, modules, inverter(s), and other electrical equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  10. Equipment installed, listed, and labeled according to the approved plan and manufacturers’ instructions (e.g., PV modules, inverters, dc-to-dc converters, rapid shutdown equipment).
  11. For grid-connected systems, inverter is marked “interactive,” or documentation is provided to show that inverter meets utility interconnection requirements.
  12. Conductors, cables, and conduit types, sizes, and markings according to the approved plan.
  13. Overcurrent devices are the type and size according to the approved plan.
  14. Disconnects according to the approved plan and properly located as required by the NEC.
  15. PV system electrical interconnection point complies with approved plan.
  16. PV system markings, labels, and signs according to the approved plan.
  17. PV system equipment grounding conductors installed according to the approved plan.
  18. Access and working space for PV equipment such as inverters, disconnecting means, and panelboards (not required for PV modules) [NEC 110.26].
  19. The rapid shutdown system is installed and operational according to the approved plan and manufacturers’ instructions [NEC 690.12].
Related Pages
Community Development