Loveland, CO Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Solar PV permitting in Loveland is administered by the Building Division under the city's adopted building code (current International Residential Code and International Building Code with state amendments per LMC Title 15). The two big advantages for Loveland solar homeowners are statutory: Colorado HB 11-1199, the Fair Permit Act, caps permit and related fees at $500 for a residential active solar device and $1,000 for a non-residential active solar device, and limits any fees to the local government's actual cost of issuing the permit. HB 21-1284 extended the Fair Permit Act's repeal date to December 31, 2029, locking those caps in for the rest of the decade. Required submittals include a site plan, electrical one-line diagram, structural information for the mounting system, manufacturer specifications for modules and inverters, and Loveland Water and Power (LWP) interconnection paperwork. Inspections include a rough electrical, a final structural where applicable, and a final electrical with the meter set. Because Loveland operates its own municipal electric utility — Loveland Water and Power, now branded City of Loveland Utilities — interconnection is handled directly with LWP rather than with Xcel. Net metering measures net consumption at the service meter monthly; any excess kWh generated is carried forward month to month and credited against the customer's energy consumption per the LWP solar tariff. More than 400 residential customers already have solar PV in Loveland. Contractors handle both the permit and the interconnection; do-it-yourself installers must still apply for both and can reach DER staff at der@cityofloveland.org. Apply via the Loveland Permit Portal (CitizenAccess).