Tamarac, FL Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Tamarac's accessory-use standard for a solar energy collection system at LDC §10-3.4(D)(15) lets the system sit on the roof or side of a principal or accessory structure, or on the ground, following the location standards in §10-3.4(C)(3). Height is handled under subsection (b): a roof-mounted system must comply with the zoning district's maximum height standard, but the code carves out an extra 15 feet above the roofline specifically for roof-mounted solar, recognizing that panels and racking add height beyond the building envelope. Where an existing structure already exceeds its district's height limit, the city still allows a rooftop solar system on that structure regardless of the underlying height standard, so long as the system extends no more than five feet above the roof surface, protecting older or nonconforming buildings from being blocked out of solar.

Subsection (c) addresses appearance and yard placement: panels must be mounted to minimize visibility from the street, and any solar device is otherwise subject to the setbacks of the applicable zoning district. A narrow exception lets a ground-mounted device under five feet tall extend into a required setback, but even then it can never sit closer than five feet from any property line. Permitting itself runs through the standard building permit process administered through Building and Community Development, which reviews mounting details, structural load and electrical connections before installation.