Solar Panel (PV) Permit (Unincorporated Pinellas County)
Solar photovoltaic systems on homes in unincorporated Pinellas County are permitted through BDRS as a Residential permit - 'Solar' is one of the 17 major residential record categories in the Pinellas County Access Portal (Accela). Applications, plan uploads, fee payment, and inspection scheduling are all online through the portal. Solar is not on the county's Express Permit eligible-work list, so it follows the standard residential permit review path.
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Who needs this
Homeowners and licensed contractors installing solar photovoltaic systems or other solar energy upgrades on one- and two-family dwellings in unincorporated Pinellas County. Also required alongside a roof permit when replacing a roof that has solar panels installed (both solar and roof permits are required).
Steps
- 1
Prepare plans and documents
Per BDRS residential requirements: digital copies of plans, surveys, and product approvals; all structural work requires building plans digitally signed and sealed by an architect or engineer, and trade plans signed by the contractor.
pinellas.gov/residential-permits/ - 2
Apply in the Access Portal
Sign in or create an account on the Pinellas County Access Portal, select the Solar record type under residential permits, complete each application section, and upload plans and documents.
aca-prod.accela.com/pinellas/Default.aspx - 3
Pay fees online
Pay application fees through the Access Portal; all credit card types accepted.
- 4
Monitor review and respond to comments
Track the record for review comments and approval notices; check current residential review times on the live dashboard.
pinellas.gov/building-permit-review-times-activity/ - 5
Record Notice of Commencement if required
If the direct contract is greater than $5,000 (typical for PV systems), record a Notice of Commencement with the Clerk and attach a copy to the permit before the first inspection.
pinellas.gov/notice-of-commencement-form/ - 6
Schedule inspections
After issuance, schedule inspections through the Access Portal.
pinellas.gov/building-inspections/
Requirements
- Residential building permit (Solar record type) via the Access Portal
- Licensed contractor, or owner-builder qualifying under FS 489.103(7)
- Compliance with the 2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (currently in effect per BDRS)
- Structural plans digitally signed and sealed by a Florida architect or engineer
- Florida product approval documentation for building components (FS 553.842, FAC 9B-72)
- Boundary/topographic survey (within last 5 years) and plot/site plan per BDRS general submittal requirements
- Recorded Notice of Commencement before first inspection for direct contracts over $5,000 (FS 713.135(1)(e))
- Floodplain properties must comply with elevation and flood safety requirements
Documents
- Solar PV plans (structural attachment details signed and sealed; electrical plans signed by the contractor)
- Survey and plot/site plan
- Product Approval Schedule with Florida approval numbers for components
- Equipment specifications
- Recorded Notice of Commencement (if direct contract over $5,000)
Fees
Previous fiscal-year fee amounts are shown below for a rough cost reference. They are not current quotes or guaranteed estimates, and actual fees may have changed. Confirm today's charge with the issuing building department or official payment portal.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar (residential) permit fees | $250 per photovoltaic system (includes building, plan review and electrical)Historical FY26 rate. Current permit fee not verified. | Historical FY26 rate. Current permit fee not verified. This earlier amount is shown for ballpark context, not as today's payable charge. FY26 Adopted User Fees Schedule, effective Oct 1 2025 (accessed 2026-09-01). FY27 is proposed, not yet effective. NOTE: the county's public Building/Transportation/Zoning Fees page still links the superseded FY25 schedule. This amount is unchanged from FY25.Historical source |
Good to know
Gotchas: (1) Re-roofing a house that already has solar panels requires BOTH a solar permit and a roof permit (county FAQ). (2) Solar is NOT on the Express Permit eligible list - it goes through standard residential review (~14 days typical). (3) Product approval numbers required for components per FS 553.842 / FAC 9B-72. (4) Structural attachment details must be digitally signed and sealed by an architect/engineer. (5) NOC over $5,000 - most PV contracts exceed this. (6) Owner-builders must apply per FS 489.103(7) rules and cannot use the online Express path. (7) Flood zone properties trigger additional requirements. Note: the county publishes no dedicated solar permit guide or checklist page that I found; requirements above are the county's general residential permit requirements applied to the Solar record type - confirm specifics at (727) 464-3888 (Option 2) or [email protected].