Naperville, IL Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)
Key Facts
- Building-mounted panels
- Administrative approval, no hearing
- Small ground-mounted
- Under 1,750 sq ft, administrative
- Larger ground systems
- Require conditional-use permit
Summary
Naperville authorizes building-mounted and small-scale ground-mounted residential solar systems administratively, skipping the conditional-use hearing, under the zoning code's renewable energy provisions.
Building-mounted solar energy systems and small-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems may be authorized administratively in all Residential Districts in Chapter 6 in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter and the Title 8 Self-Supply Solar Provisions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101).
Full Breakdown
City Code Section 6-15-5 lets homeowners skip the conditional-use process for the most common installations: building-mounted solar panels and small-scale ground-mounted arrays, under 1,750 square feet, in any Residential District are approved administratively by City staff, alongside the separate Title 8 self-supply solar provisions and a standard building permit. Only medium- and large-scale ground-mounted systems in residential districts still require a conditional-use permit before the City Council, under Section 6-15-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a public hearing to put solar panels on my Naperville roof?
What size ground-mounted solar array can skip the hearing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Naperville
Compare Naperville to another location·View the Illinois solar energy overview
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