Clayton County, GA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Solar panels fall under the mechanical and gas permit fee schedule in Clayton County Code § 18-47(d)(3)e, which lists 'Solar systems: 1. 50 2. 00 for the third re-inspection under § 18-47(d)(3)b. Before work starts, § 18-41(a) requires the owner, agent or contractor to apply to the county official and obtain a permit for any mechanical system 'the installation of which is regulated by the construction codes'; the exceptions list in that same section covers items like portable heating and cooling equipment, but does not exempt solar collector arrays, so a rooftop or ground-mounted system needs its own permit.

Anyone who starts work before the permit is issued is charged a 100 percent penalty on top of the regular fee under § 18-47(b). Once issued, the permit is valid for 18 months and must show its first recorded inspection within six months or it lapses under § 18-46(a); the county official may grant extensions of up to 180 days on written request showing justifiable cause. The county official may inspect the installation at any stage under § 18-48(a) and can issue a stop-work order under § 18-33 if work proceeds contrary to the construction codes or in an unsafe manner, effective immediately upon written notice to the owner or the person doing the work.