Lee's Summit, MO Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

The Unified Development Ordinance's solar collector performance standards set five specific conditions. Roof-mounted collector components, meaning the wiring, conduit, and hardware servicing the panel, must be concealed, and any exposed metal has to be finished in colors similar to the structure it's mounted on. Front- or side-facing roof-mounted panels visible from the public right-of-way cannot extend above the peak of the roof plane and are capped at 24 inches of perpendicular projection from the roof surface. Rear-facing roof panels get more room, up to four feet of perpendicular projection, but still cannot rise above the roof's peak.

Ground-mounted collectors cannot exceed eight feet in total height and must be located in the rear yard, at least 12 feet inside the property line. All wiring serving a ground-mounted collector has to run underground rather than overhead. Because solar collectors are classified as an accessory use, they also fall under the general accessory-structure framework: no accessory use may be located except as specifically authorized, and residential lots citywide are capped at 60 percent impervious surface coverage. As with other accessory structures such as fences and detached garages, installation runs through the standard building permit process administered by the Building Official before work begins.