Sherman, TX Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

The engineering rule is item (5) of § 3.03.003 of the Sherman Code of Ordinances, an amendment to the 2023 National Electrical Code: solar photovoltaic (PV) systems or solar panels installations must be engineered by a design professional bearing his or her stamp. The code does not set a size threshold, so the stamped engineering applies to every installation in the City of Sherman, Texas.

The permit itself follows the general machinery of Chapter 3. Under § 3.01.002, anyone who intends to install an electrical system regulated by code applies for the permit first, and the permit covers only the work described in the application. Applications go to the development services department through the city's online permit portal (§ 3.01.004), and incomplete submittals are not accepted. Electrical contractors must register with the city and hold an active State of Texas Electrician License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (§ 3.01.003), with liability insurance of $300,000.00 per occurrence. Homeowners working on their own homestead are exempt from the contractor registration requirement. Inspections are scheduled by the contractor through the portal (§ 3.01.005), and no utility can permanently install a meter until construction is approved.

The Appendix C fee schedule lists a solar permit at $75.00 and $30.00 for each additional inspection in its single-family residential table. Its fire permit and service fee list separately shows solar photovoltaic power systems, excluding single and double family dwellings, at $150.00. Under the fire code amendments in § 3.04.001, where approved by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads can be exempted or modified for solar photovoltaic power generation facilities. The zoning ordinance defines and lists the use electric power substation or generating including ground-mounted solar and wind in §§ 14.08.001 and 14.10.001.