Sandoval County, NM Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Sandoval County's zoning code does not create a dedicated solar panel permit or fee schedule; solar installations still go through the county's standard building permit process administered by the Development Department. 1)(F)(2), are appearance standards for solar water heating equipment on single-family units built in conventional tract subdivisions in the R1-5, R1-6, and R1-8 districts, and custom home sites are exempt from these standards. The code states a preference for solar water heating units that are 'an integrated part of the roof design'; if a unit is not flat, it cannot rise more than 8 inches above the roof surface and must appear to be part of the roof structure itself, matching the roof's color or being glass-enclosed.

Collectors that need a steep installation angle must be fully screened from view with material that blends with the surrounding architecture. Preheat, tempering, and holding water tanks cannot sit on the roof or the side of the structure, and any ground-mounted heating or air conditioning equipment must sit on a concrete pad. All wiring and piping serving the solar water heater or an air conditioning unit must be installed so it is not visible from neighboring properties or the street. A homeowners association's own covenants, conditions and restrictions can impose stricter requirements than these county minimums.