When does a solar installation need an electrical permit in Washington?

DOB lists solar panels as a permit type. No solar work is exempt.

Where do I apply for a solar installation permit in Washington?

Apply through Department of Buildings, or call (202) 671-3500.

It depends on the details of your project.

Solar panels need a DOB solar permit, applied for online.

In a historic district HPO reviews panel placement. Rear and flat roofs are usually approved.

No solar work is exempt from a permit in DC.

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.

Permit	When it applies
DOB solar permit (building and electrical)	DOB lists solar panels as a permit type. No solar work is exempt.
Historic Preservation Office review	On a landmark or in a historic district every permit exemption falls away, and HPO reviews exterior work visible from a street before DOB issues the permit.

Call 811 at least a few days before you dig footings or post holes. Utility locating is free.
HOA covenants and deed restrictions can be stricter than city rules. Check yours before you build.

When does a solar installation need an electrical permit in Washington?: DOB lists solar panels as a permit type. No solar work is exempt.
Where do I apply for a solar installation permit in Washington?: Apply through Department of Buildings, or call (202) 671-3500.

DC Department of Buildings, How to get a permit. Checked 2026-10-20
Unless you are in a historic district, the following work does not require a building permit: ... Replacement in-kind of ... Private sidewalks and driveways; Patios ... Single garden storage shed that does not exceed 50 square feet (4.65 m2) in area and is …
DC Office of Planning, Historic Preservation Office, permit review. Checked 2026-10-21
[The Historic Preservation Review Board, staffed by HPO,] reviews construction affecting those properties [landmarks and properties in historic districts].