Rowlett, TX Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Freestanding panels
- Prohibited citywide
- Roof projection
- Max 8 inches above roof plane
- Hardware
- Black, low-profile, wiring concealed
- Noncompliant install
- Requires special use permit
Summary
Rooftop solar panels that meet Rowlett's location, height, and screening standards need no special permit, but any panel or supporting structure that doesn't comply requires a special use permit.
(d)Permit required. Any solar panel or supporting structure that does not meet the above requirements will require a special use permit. (Ord. No. 025-06, § 1(Exh. A), 6-6-2006; Ord. No. 019-08, § 2, 7-15-2008; Ord. No. 016-09, § 7, 6-2-2009; Ord. No. 005-10, §§ 2—5 4-6-2010; Ord. No. 020-11, § 2, 8-16-2011; Ord. No. 013-13, §§ 5—8, 5-21-2013; Ord. No. 022-14, § 4, 6-3-2014; Ord. No. 008-19, § 1, 5-7-2019; Ord. No. 036-19, 12-17-2019)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 77-303.D.4 sets Rowlett's standards for solar panels as an accessory use. Roof-mounted panels are allowed on any side of a building to capture optimal sun exposure, may project no more than eight inches above the roof plane, must use low-profile black hardware with wiring concealed, and freestanding ground-mounted panels are prohibited outright. Flat-roof or freestanding installations must be screened from public view. Subsection (d) then sets the permit trigger: any solar panel or supporting structure that does not meet the above requirements requires a special use permit, meaning compliant rooftop arrays proceed without that extra review.
Violations & Fines
Installing a freestanding or ground-mounted solar array, or a roof panel that exceeds the eight-inch projection or isn't properly screened, without a special use permit is a code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for rooftop solar panels in Rowlett?
Can I install a ground-mounted solar array in my Rowlett yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rowlett
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Rowlett to another location·View the Texas solar energy overview
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Panel Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle panel permits.