Dearborn requires electrical and building permits for rooftop and ground-mount solar systems. Most residential installations are approved as accessory use without zoning variance.
Solar photovoltaic systems in Dearborn require a building permit and a Michigan Electrical Code permit from the Building and Safety Division. Rooftop residential arrays on single-family homes are generally treated as an accessory use and do not need a special zoning hearing, provided the panels do not extend above the allowable roof height or beyond the roof plane. Structural review confirms the roof can support the added load. Ground-mount systems on residential lots must meet accessory structure setbacks (typically 3 to 5 feet from side and rear lot lines in R-1) and should not cover so much of the yard that lot coverage limits are exceeded. Net metering interconnection is handled by DTE Energy under the Michigan Public Service Commission distributed generation program. Permit fees are based on project valuation. Solar projects under 20 kW typically follow a streamlined review path.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dearborn, MI
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Dearborn, MI
Dearborn prohibits dogs from barking, howling, or making noise that disturbs neighbors for extended periods, with animal control enforcement and fines for re...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn allows on-street parking in most residential areas but prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, and in posted no-...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn follows Michigan's common-law partition-fence principles. Good side faces out, shared fences require mutual agreement, and disputes can go to distri...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn requires dogs to be leashed on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property, with off-leash use allowed only at designated dog parks ...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn follows Michigan PA 256 of 2011 as amended by PA 65 of 2018 allowing consumer fireworks only on 12 designated holidays, with local restrictions limi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle panel permits.
See how Dearborn's panel permits rules stack up against other locations.
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