Billings, MT Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Tier 1 rooftop panels
- No zoning compliance permit required
- Tier 1 ground-mount size, residential
- 2,000 sq ft or 25% of lot
- Tier 1 building-mounted height cap
- 5 ft above roofline
- Tier 2 systems
- Need zoning compliance permit
- Tier 3 large-scale systems
- Need special review process
Summary
Billings zoning code exempts small on-site rooftop or ground solar arrays (Tier 1) from a zoning permit, but larger Tier 2 and Tier 3 systems need a zoning compliance permit or special review under Sec. 27-1007.
(a)Tier 1. Accessory solar energy facilities meet the following criteria:(1)Is an accessory use on the site that provides energy primarily for on-site use; and(2)Can be building-mounted or ground-mounted... 5.Permit required.(a)The following permit requirements are applicable to SEF systems... (b)Submission Requirements for Tier 2 and Tier 3 SEFs: Tier 2 zoning compliance permit and Tier 3 special review SEF applications shall include the following information...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Billings' zoning code (Sec. 27-1007) sorts solar energy facilities into three tiers. Tier 1 covers accessory rooftop or ground-mounted panels sized primarily for on-site use, capped at 2,000 sq ft (or 25% of the lot) in residential zones and 5 feet above the roofline for building-mounted units, and these skip the Tier 2/3 zoning compliance permit and special-review submission process. Tier 2 (larger, primary-use) systems need a zoning compliance permit; Tier 3 (large-scale) systems require special review, each with landscape, stormwater, and maintenance plans filed.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding Tier 1's footprint, height, or on-site-use limits without applying for the Tier 2 zoning compliance permit or Tier 3 special review makes the installation subject to city zoning enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put solar panels on my roof in Billings?
How big can a ground-mounted home solar array be without extra review?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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