Allentown, PA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Section 660-56 of the Zoning Ordinance (Ord. No. 16166, effective January 1, 2026) makes solar energy systems an accessory use permitted with all lawfully established principal uses in every zone, subject to the Building Code and electrical code. Building-mounted systems may sit on either the principal or an accessory structure, may not encroach into required street setbacks, but may encroach up to two feet into an interior side setback and five feet into a rear setback, and may exceed the zone's maximum building height by up to 10 feet. Only building-integrated or flush-mounted panels are allowed on a facade that faces the street, and any system must be built so it does not throw glare onto neighboring properties. Ground-mounted, freestanding systems in the City's N zones cannot sit in the street yard, must clear every lot line by at least two feet, and cannot exceed 18 feet in height. Owners must fully remove an installed system within six months of it going out of service.

Installing panels still requires a City building permit. Under § 270-31.A, every residential permit carries a nonrefundable $50 application fee plus the state-mandated Uniform Construction Code fee of $4.50, and the plan-review and inspection charge for solar panels, listed alongside pools, fences, and electrical work, is the greater of $50 or 1% of the total labor-and-materials cost of the work; commercial solar installations pay a $100 application fee and the greater of $75 or 1.5% of project cost.