Sedona, AZ Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Article 5's equipment-screening standards ordinarily require roof-mounted mechanical equipment to sit behind a parapet wall or similar architectural feature, and ground-mounted equipment like AC units, pool equipment and propane tanks to be located out of view or screened by a wall, fence or vegetative screen when visible from a public street, trail, open space or an adjacent property. Section 5.6(D)(1)(d) carves solar out of the roof-mounted rule entirely, exempting facilities for the operation of active or passive solar energy systems and other alternate energy systems from the screening requirements. Section 5.6(D)(2)(c) does the same for ground-mounted panels, but with a case-by-case standard: screening isn't required when it can be clearly demonstrated that required screening would reduce the efficiency or effectiveness of the solar energy equipment.

That screening exemption doesn't replace the building and electrical permit a solar installation still needs. Solar equipment isn't on the short exempt-work lists at SCC §§ 15.05.020(C) or 15.05.040(D), so an installation goes through the standard building permit process under the adopted International Building or Residential Code, with the wiring inspected under the 2017 National Electrical Code adopted at SCC § 15.15.010. New one- and two-family construction also has to include IRC Appendix T's solar-ready wiring provisions, adopted at SCC § 15.05.030(A)(13).