Hendersonville, TN Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Under Section 10.4.24.1 of the City's Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 2025-19, effective November 18, 2025, revised February 4, 2026), solar panels are allowed as an accessory use at one- and two-family residences on the roof of the residence and accessory buildings, and as free-standing structures in the rear yard. A Zoning Permit is required prior to erecting the panels.

For townhomes, multi-family buildings and institutional buildings in residential zones (Section 10.4.24.2), panels are limited to rooftops of the buildings themselves, including garages, carports and other accessory buildings; those accessory structures also go through Site Plan and Design Review, which triggers the landscaping and screening standards in Chapter 11.4.

Commercial and industrial parcels (Section 10.4.24.3) may mount panels on the roof of principal or accessory buildings, including canopies and carports governed by Chapter 12.3.6.8 for commercial design and Chapter 12.4.5.8 for industrial standards. Freestanding arrays are allowed in these districts only if placed behind the principal building and out of view from public streets or surrounding property; the Planning Department can require screening under Chapter 11.4.11.3 to block that visibility.

The Zoning Permit itself runs through Section 4.9: the Planning Department issues it as written verification that a proposed activity conforms to the Ordinance and City codes before any building permit is issued and before construction begins, and it applies even where no building permit is otherwise required. It expires one year after issuance unless a building permit has already been issued, per Section 4.9.4.