North Hempstead, NY Solar Energy: Expedited Solar Permitting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 2-10.2
- Review deadline
- 14 business days
- Added by
- L.L. No. 2-2023
- Also covers
- EV charging stations
- Trigger
- Completed application filed
- Underlying permit
- Still required, § 2-9
Summary
North Hempstead's Building Department must expedite every building permit application for residential solar panels, related equipment, and battery backups under Town Code § 2-10.2, reviewing a completed application within 14 business days. The same fast-track duty applies to electric vehicle charging stations, and it is mandatory rather than discretionary once the application is complete.
All building permit applications for the installation of solar energy panels and related equipment, including battery backups, shall be expedited by the Building Department. All building permit applications for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations shall be expedited by the Building Department. Expedited permit applications under this section shall be reviewed by the Building Department within 14 business days of the filing of a completed application.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4892187; v82 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Added by Local Law No. 1, which requires an applicant to show an emergency, hardship, or accessibility need before the Building Commissioner and Planning Commissioner will agree to speed up review. For solar panels and EV charging equipment, no such showing is required: Subsection A directs that "all building permit applications for the installation of solar energy panels and related equipment, including battery backups, shall be expedited," and Subsection B extends the same duty to EV charging station applications. " An incomplete application, missing required plans, plot information, or fee payment, does not start that 14-day period; the Building Department will typically notify the applicant of what is missing before the clock runs.
2 only compresses the Building Department's review timeline, it does not waive any substantive standard, inspection, or fee that otherwise applies to a solar or EV charging installation.
Violations & Fines
Because § 2-10.2 governs review speed rather than substantive standards, installing solar panels or a charging station without first obtaining the underlying building permit is treated as unpermitted construction under § 2-75: a fine of $500 to $5,000 or up to 15 days in jail for a first offense, and $5,000 to $10,000 for a repeat offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does North Hempstead review a solar panel permit?
Does the 14-day expedited review also cover EV chargers?
Does expedited review skip the normal solar permit requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Hempstead
New York rules heatmap·Compare North Hempstead to another location·View the New York solar energy overview
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