Building Development Division

• Hiring a Building Contractor
• The Completed Residential Solar Projects Quarterly Report [New Web PDF] provides an overview of the total Residential Solar Projects completed during the last two calendar years and the current calendar year by contractor.

To avoid delay please ensure that the proposed submittal includes all the following: 

For Roof Mounted Systems please ensure: 

• Access pathways are provided 

• Two 36-inch pathways shall be provided on separate roof planes from the eave to the ridge. 

• One 36-inch pathway shall be located on the street or driveway side of the roof. 

• One 36-inch pathway shall be located on each roof plane with a photovoltaic array or an adjacent roof plane. 

• Plans and calculations are submitted sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer for engineered designs including connections to standing seam metal roofs. 

• An engineering report sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer or research report by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) is provided for the mounting system (rail or rail free). 

• For additional requirements please see the Residential Solar Energy Systems Checklist and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. 

For Ground Mounted Systems please ensure: 

• Plans and calculations are submitted sealed by a Virginia licensed engineer for engineered designs including ground mount frame systems and foundations. 

• A research report by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) is provided for ground anchors and helical piers. 

• For additional requirements please see the Residential Solar Energy Systems Checklist and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. 

The County offers Solar Energy Systems Tax Exemption for solar energy equipment, facilities or devices.   Note:  All required documentation must be included at time of form submission.   

There are three ways to submit the completed form for review: 

• Email – [email protected] 

• In-person – The Development Services Building 

• Mail – 5 County Complex Ct., Suite 120, Prince William, VA 22192 

            Attention: BDD Permits 

The customer ePortal is used for application of the submission of your project documents and payments. If you are a new user, you must first sign up for the ePortal by clicking on “Login or Register” or click here. You will enter your email address and receive an email to complete registration. Please be aware registration must be approved by county staff after you submit which may not be instant. Please allow time for processing the ePortal request prior to needing to submit.    

Once you are logged into the customer ePortal, apply for a “Building Residential Alternation/Repair”. To avoid delays in your project, please ensure all requirements listed in the Residential Solar Energy System ePlan Checklist are included in the first submission and all items meet the requirements outlined in the ePlan Guide. 

After submission, the plans and documents will be Quality Controlled by intake staff. If there is additional information needed a QC Denial Letter will be emailed to the applicant and the letter will be available on the ePortal. Once the submission is approved, the filing fees will be invoiced and are payable through the ePortal. The submission will be routed for review after fees are paid.  

Helpful links: 

Residential Solar Energy Systems ePlans Checklist 

Solar Energy Plan submission and Inspections Guidelines 

Solar Energy Systems – Roof Mounted Solar Panels Structural Typical 

Solar Energy Systems – Small, Micro Inverter/AC System 

Solar Energy Systems – Small, Single Inverter System 

1.13.7 Solar Energy Systems 

Review Fees (filing fee) and permit fees can be found in the fee schedule.  

Review fees (filing fee) will be invoiced after the submission has passed QC. Fees must be paid in full prior to the plans being routed for review.  

Permit fees will be invoiced after approval of the drawings and prior to the permit being issued.  

The plan review for County Typical Solar Energy Systems Plan Submissions will be expedited (e.g., half the time of a normal plan submission). 

If the system is not per the County Typical Solar Energy System Plans, plan review time is 10 days for residential solar panels. If the reviewer needs additional information a comment letter will be sent to the customer via email and the ePortal. Once the requested information is re-submitted in the ePortal, it will go through QC again and be re-routed for a 5 day review after resubmission fees are paid.  Once the review is approved, the submission will be sent to permits for processing.  

Once all county reviews are approved, permits will verify the required documents for permitting (state and county business licensing). After all requirements are met, the permit fee will be invoiced to the customer, payable via the ePortal. Once fees are paid the permit will be issued and can be printed through the ePortal.  

The customer is required to obtain inspections from the county for their project. The county must be notified when the stages of construction are reached that require an inspection; see the required inspection codes below. Along with the permits being posted and the reviewed drawing on-site, the required photos and the completed Solar Energy System Inspection Certification are required to be available for the inspector at the time of inspection. 

• Required Scheduled Inspection Types for PV Solar Energy Systems 
  1. Building Permit Inspections 
     • Residential Code # 151 (final inspection)
  2. Electrical Permit Inspections  
     • (If applicable) Residential code # 202 (electrical service)  
     • (If applicable) Residential Code # 208 (other electrical trench) 
     • Residential Code # 250 (final inspection) 
• Required Scheduled Inspection Types for Solar Hot Water Systems
  1. Building Permit Inspections 
     • Residential Code # 151 (final inspection) 
  2. Mechanical Permit Inspections  
     • Residential Code # 350 (final inspection)
  3. Electrical Permit Inspections  
     • (If applicable) Residential Code # 250 (final inspection)