Solar Energy in Washington (2026)
29 rules on the books across Washington, 21 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.
Washington: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510 bar HOAs and condominium associations from prohibiting solar panels. State…
Read full rule →Grant County
Significant RestrictionsA solar energy facility in unincorporated Grant County must clear a 7% maximum slope test with a full topographic…
Read full rule →Benton County
Some RestrictionsBenton County requires building and electrical permits for solar installations. The sunny Columbia Basin favors solar…
Read full rule →Franklin County
Some RestrictionsInstalling residential solar panels in unincorporated Franklin County without structural alterations costs a flat $100…
Read full rule →Kirkland
Some RestrictionsKirkland allows only ground- or roof-mounted solar collectors in residential zones. Ground-mounted units are capped at…
Read full rule →Lynnwood
Some RestrictionsLynnwood charges a flat $228.00 permitting-checklist fee for a single-family solar energy system that meets the city's…
Read full rule →Marysville
Some RestrictionsMarysville allows solar panels and arrays as an accessory use on commercial and residential property, but they must…
Read full rule →Pierce County
Some RestrictionsInstalling rooftop solar panels on a home in unincorporated Pierce County requires a building permit under PCC…
Read full rule →Renton
Some RestrictionsRenton reviews solar energy systems under RMC 4-4-105 rather than issuing a standalone solar permit: the Administrator…
Read full rule →Sammamish
Some RestrictionsSolar photovoltaic systems in Sammamish need more than a routine electrical permit. SMC 16.20.255(2)(f)(ix) names solar…
Read full rule →Snohomish County
Some RestrictionsRooftop solar photovoltaic systems on detached single-family homes in unincorporated Snohomish County skip the…
Read full rule →Tacoma
Some RestrictionsTacoma's zoning code lets rooftop solar panels exceed the district height limit by up to 12 inches above the roof…
Read full rule →Whatcom County
Some RestrictionsWhatcom County requires building and electrical permits for solar installations. Rooftop systems must meet structural…
Read full rule →Yakima County
Some RestrictionsYakima County requires building and electrical permits for solar installations. Rooftop systems must meet structural…
Read full rule →King County
Few RestrictionsUnincorporated King County waives a building permit for roof-mounted home solar panels weighing under 4 pounds per…
Read full rule →Thurston County
Few RestrictionsThurston County does not require a building permit for a residential rooftop photovoltaic solar installation that…
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.
Washington: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 voids homeowner association rules prohibiting solar panel installation, allowing only…
Read full rule →Auburn
Some RestrictionsWashington's RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90 limit how Auburn homeowners associations can restrict rooftop solar…
Read full rule →Kirkland
Some RestrictionsWashington's RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90 limit how Kirkland homeowners associations can restrict rooftop solar…
Read full rule →Yakima County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Yakima County, RCW 64.38.055 stops homeowners' association covenants and rules from banning solar…
Read full rule →Whatcom County
Light RestrictionsWashington law voids any Whatcom County homeowners association rule that bans rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels…
Read full rule →Bellevue
Few RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 limits HOA restrictions on solar panels. HOAs cannot prohibit solar but can impose reasonable…
Read full rule →Benton County
Few RestrictionsHomeowners in Benton County HOAs are protected by Washington's solar rights law. Under RCW 64.38.055, HOA governing…
Read full rule →Federal Way
Few RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 bars homeowner associations from prohibiting solar collectors on homes, though they may adopt…
Read full rule →Kent
Few RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 bars homeowner associations from prohibiting solar collectors on homes, though they may adopt…
Read full rule →King County
Few RestrictionsWashington law (RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510) prohibits King County HOAs from banning solar panels. Associations may…
Read full rule →Renton
Few RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 limits HOA restrictions on solar panels. Renton HOAs may regulate appearance and location but…
Read full rule →Seattle
Few RestrictionsWashington state law (RCW 64.38.055) prohibits HOAs from banning solar installations, and Seattle's building code…
Read full rule →Spokane
Few RestrictionsWashington RCW 64.38.055 prohibits HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar panels. HOAs may regulate placement and…
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