Kennewick, WA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Solar PV permitting in Kennewick follows a standard two-permit pattern under the Washington State Building Code. The building permit reviews structural loading of the existing roof under IRC Chapter 8 (roof-ceiling construction) as adopted by WAC 51-51, applying Washington-amended ground snow load (commonly 15 to 25 psf for the Tri-Cities), basic wind speed (~100 mph ASCE 7), and seismic Design Category D1. Plan review may require a stamped letter from a Washington-licensed professional engineer for older homes where rafter sizing or attachment cannot be verified. The electrical permit is issued by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries Electrical Program under WAC 296-46B (or by the city if Kennewick is a delegated electrical authority) and covers Article 690 of the National Electrical Code (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) — disconnect requirements, rapid shutdown under NEC 690.12, conductor sizing, grounding, and labeling. Interconnection follows Benton PUD's net-metering tariff. Net metering is required by RCW 80.60.020 for customer-generators using solar, wind, hydroelectric, biogas, or fuel-cell systems up to 100 kW; the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates investor-owned utilities while public utility districts like Benton PUD self-regulate but must offer net metering under RCW 80.60. HOA restrictions on solar are limited by RCW 64.38.055, which provides that an association may not prohibit installation of a solar energy panel by a property owner on the owner's property, though the association may impose reasonable restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost or significantly decrease the efficiency of the system. The condominium statute at RCW 64.34 and the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act at RCW 64.90 contain parallel provisions for condominium contexts.