Bossier City, LA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Section 18-49.1 of the Bossier City Code requires a building permit before installing solar equipment and lists what the application packet must contain. Applicants submit two complete sets of plans demonstrating every requirement: a structural engineer's analysis showing the roof can support the equipment's load and that the mounting or racking system will withstand a 90-mile-per-hour wind load, including the manufacturer's calculations for a manufactured system; a site plan, roof plan, and elevation and mounting details for the panel location, whether roof- or ground-mounted; an electrical riser diagram showing wire size and type, grounding, overcurrent protection rating, and disconnects; and, for solar hot water systems, a plumbing plan covering pipe size and type, exchange tank and backup water heater location, the pump, and whether the heat exchanger coil directly contacts potable water.

The application must also show adequate fire department access, pathways, and ventilation, and installation must be performed by a Louisiana-licensed electrical and solar contractor. Applicants submit a cut sheet and listing for the inverter, and plans must note that the photovoltaic equipment will be installed under the current adopted edition of NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code. Section 18-49.7 exempts nonhabitable structures such as parking shade structures and solar trellises from these requirements, while section 18-49.8 requires ground-mounted, freestanding arrays to meet all the same requirements.