Duluth, MN Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

K, govern any solar or geothermal power equipment that is not built into the structure itself. Ground-mounted systems cannot go in the front yard between the principal structure and the public right-of-way, must sit at least six feet from every property line and other structures, and cannot exceed 20 feet in height when tilted to their maximum design pitch. In residential districts, the collector area is capped at the greater of the principal structure's footprint or 1,000 square feet; in every other district the cap is half the principal structure's footprint, with an exemption for government, public-safety, and water or sewer utility installations.

Roof- or wall-mounted systems must also keep six feet from property lines and neighboring structures unless the existing wall or roof is already closer, in which case the panels must sit flush on the same plane, follow the applicable building code, and not encroach on another property or easement. Building-mounted systems cannot rise more than three feet above the ridge of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof, or more than ten feet above a flat or shed roof, and must be set back from the roof edge one foot for every foot they extend above the parapet (systems under three feet above the roof surface are exempt from that setback).

Anyone installing a collector is responsible for negotiating and recording any solar easement with the county recorder; without one, the owner has no right to block a neighbor's construction on grounds it shades the panels.