Salt Lake City, UT Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, for any new or existing building
- Fee basis
- Assessed by system kW size
- Fee cap threshold
- Up to 100 kW
- Over 100 kW
- Charged as electrical system permit
- City policy driver
- 100% renewable electricity by 2032
Summary
Salt Lake City requires a permit for solar panel installation on any new or existing building, with fees set by system size under the city's fee schedule.
The fees associated with the installation of solar panels on any new or existing building or structure and any corresponding permits shall be as set forth on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule, and assessed based on the kW size of the system, up to one hundred kilowatts (100 kW). Fees for installations larger than one hundred kilowatts (100 kW) will be assessed as electrical system permitting fees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18.58 of the Salt Lake City Code requires a permit for solar panel installation and ties the fee to system capacity: costs are assessed based on the kW size of the system, up to 100 kW, per the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule. Systems larger than 100 kW are instead charged electrical system permitting fees. The chapter's stated purpose links the fee structure to the city's 2032 renewable electricity and 2040 carbon-reduction targets. Rooftop arrays must also meet the zoning setback and height limits in Section 21A.36.230.
Violations & Fines
Installing solar panels without the required building/electrical permit exposes the installer to standard code-enforcement penalties and stop-work orders under the city's building permit provisions; the permit fee itself scales with system kW size rather than a flat penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Salt Lake City?
How is the solar permit fee calculated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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Panel Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle panel permits.