West Jordan, UT Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Section 13-8-22 of the West Jordan City Code sets both a permitting pathway and design standards for solar energy systems installed anywhere in the city. Whether a conditional use permit is required depends on the zoning district and mounting type: the accessory-use chart tied to section 13-8-3 lists building-mounted solar as permitted by right in every zone, while ground-mounted solar is permitted by right only in some commercial, office, and industrial zones and requires administrative conditional use approval in residential and several other zones. 1 directs the zoning administrator or planning commission to weigh three criteria: the system's proximity to residential structures and district boundaries, its potential negative impacts such as noise, shadow flicker, low frequency vibration, and disruption of scenic views, and the aesthetics of the installation, including its height, color, type, and visibility.

Every applicant, regardless of whether a conditional use permit applies, must satisfy two submittal requirements under subsection B: evidence that the relevant electric utility has been informed of the customer's intent to install an interconnected system, unless the system is off-grid, and undergrounding of any connecting cable except on properties already receiving power from above-ground lines. Design standards then diverge by mounting type. Building-mounted systems must stay within the building's own setbacks and may not extend past the surface they are attached to, with roof-mounted panels capped at seven feet above the roof surface if not visible from the street, or a pitch no more than five percent steeper than the roof and no higher than twelve inches above it if visible.

Ground-mounted systems must meet the accessory-structure setbacks in section 13-8-3(C), are barred from the front yard entirely, and are capped at twenty feet in height measured from surrounding natural grade.