Walton County, GA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Section 6-1-860 governs solar collection systems as an accessory use in every zoning district. Freestanding, ground-mounted panels are limited to the rear and side yard in commercial and industrial districts and to the rear yard only in agricultural and residential districts, may not exceed twenty feet in height above grade, must meet the setback that otherwise applies in the district, and cannot cover more than the greater of fifty percent of the lot or the district's maximum lot coverage. Roof-mounted panels cannot project above the height limit for the district and must sit at least three feet from any roof peak, eave or valley to preserve an access pathway for fire crews.

The permit application itself has to include evidence of design review and structural certification whenever the panel's slope differs from the roof's own pitch; commercial roof installations must submit that evidence regardless of slope, as must any residential roof where panels cover more than fifty percent of the roof surface. Before installation, Section 6-1-860(H) requires the applicant to show the Planning and Development Department that the electric utility has been told of the customer's intent to install an interconnected, customer-owned generator, a step waived only for off-grid systems with no utility connection at all.

Installers must also post manufacturer identification and warning signage near the panels, and the applicant carries the burden of showing the installation will not create adverse glare for neighboring properties.