Solar Energy in Maryland (2026)
17 rules on the books across Maryland, 12 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Panel Permits
Permits required for installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels, including electrical inspections and interconnection approvals.
Maryland: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsMaryland requires every electric company to offer eligible solar customer-generators net energy metering under Public…
Read full rule →Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis requires an electrical permit before installing a solar photovoltaic system, issued by the Department of…
Read full rule →Baltimore County
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County requires a special exception for any ground-mounted solar facility over one megawatt of capacity, caps…
Read full rule →Carroll County
Some RestrictionsCarroll County allows rooftop and yard solar arrays as an accessory use by right in every zoning district except the…
Read full rule →Charles County
Some RestrictionsSmall solar energy systems are permitted with conditions as an accessory use in every Charles County zone under §…
Read full rule →Gaithersburg
Some RestrictionsGaithersburg does not run a separate solar panel permit; installing panels goes through the standard Chapter 5 building…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County requires a fast-track review process for rooftop solar photovoltaic permits on single-family detached…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Some RestrictionsPrince George's County requires a DPIE building permit for solar energy systems under Section 4-210 of the County Code…
Read full rule →Rockville
Some RestrictionsRockville zoning treats ground-mounted solar as a Renewable Energy System, capping freestanding units at 20 feet in…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsWashington County, Maryland treats rooftop and freestanding solar arrays as an accessory use in every zoning district…
Read full rule →Wicomico County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Wicomico County, even an accessory home solar system must apply for a county building permit before…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Few RestrictionsRooftop solar panels for home use are a permitted use by right in every Anne Arundel County residential zone, with no…
Read full rule →HOA Restrictions
State and local laws that limit what HOAs can restrict when it comes to solar panel installation, placement, and appearance.
Maryland: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsMaryland Real Property § 2-119 bars any deed covenant, declaration, contract, security instrument, or condominium or…
Read full rule →Baltimore
Some RestrictionsMaryland law (Real Property § 2-119) prohibits HOA covenants from effectively banning solar energy systems, though HOAs…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Few RestrictionsMaryland Real Property §2-119 bars HOAs from prohibiting rooftop solar. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic rules that…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Few RestrictionsMaryland Real Property Article 2-119 prohibits HOAs from banning solar panels. HOAs may set aesthetic rules but cannot…
Read full rule →Expedited Solar Permitting
California SB-379 (and equivalent laws) requiring cities to offer same-day or near-same-day automated solar permits, plus SolarAPP+ adoption.