What does getPermit actually do?

getPermit reads your job details and tells you what a California city expects before you file: which permits the work triggers, the documents and plans you'll need, the fees to budget for, and the common reasons applications in that jurisdiction get bounced back. It produces a clear checklist you can act on. It does not submit to the city for you — you (or your permit person) stay in control of what gets filed.

Is there a human involved, or is it just AI?

Both. The AI does the research and drafts the assessment and checklist; an experienced permit coordinator reviews and approves it before it's treated as authoritative. The human check is the point — it's how we keep it trustworthy in a process where a wrong filing has real consequences.

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We're starting deep in California rather than shallow everywhere. For a city we haven't fully mapped yet, we'll give you accurate general California guidance and point you to that city's official building department — and you can join the waitlist to be notified when we cover it in depth. We will not invent city-specific fees or timelines we haven't verified.

Solo electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors, and small general contractors who don't have a dedicated permit department and lose billable hours to permit admin.

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Solar interconnection permits in Arizona

Last updated September 13, 2026

Early Arizona guides. getPermit is California-first — these pages share what we've verified in Arizona so far, and they don't mean getPermit covers Arizona yet. Join the waitlist with your city to tell us where to go deeper.

A plain-English starting point for electrical contractors. This is general Arizona guidance — fees, forms, and timelines are set by each city.

Short answer

Rooftop solar in Arizona needs two approvals: a permit from the city or county and interconnection approval from the utility before the system operates. Permit paths vary widely — Phoenix and unincorporated Maricopa County accept SolarAPP+ for qualifying rooftop systems, Scottsdale gives arrays that meet its guidelines a small-scope review, and Mesa's code exempts listed systems installed by a licensed contractor unless a battery or meter panel upgrade is involved. Installers are ROC-licensed electrical contractors.

The general picture

Solar is the Arizona job with the most moving parts. On the permit side, jurisdictions range from an exemption to full plan review: Mesa's code exempts listed systems installed by a licensed contractor (batteries and meter panel upgrades still need permits), Phoenix and unincorporated Maricopa County accept SolarAPP+ for qualifying rooftop systems, and Scottsdale gives arrays that meet its submittal guidelines a small-scope review. State law (ARS 9-468) sets what residential solar plans must show and limits engineer-stamp requirements. A 2026 law (SB 1419) adds roof-related duties for rooftop solar contractors — read it before you quote. On the utility side, APS and SRP each run their own interconnection process, and the system can't operate until the utility grants permission. See the verified notes for Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and unincorporated Maricopa County.

Typically needs a permit

Most rooftop systems need a building or electrical permit, plus a fire department permit where the city requires one — Phoenix requires a separate Phoenix Fire permit. Adding a battery, upgrading or derating the main panel, or mounting on the ground usually takes a system out of the fastest review path.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

In Mesa, listed and labeled systems under 10,000 square feet installed by an Arizona-licensed contractor (a battery or meter panel upgrade still needs a permit)
Cleaning panels

Documents & plans generally required

Building or electrical permit application, or a SolarAPP+ submission where accepted
ROC license number and class
Site and roof plan with the array layout, setbacks, and fire access pathways
One-line and three-line electrical diagrams
Module, inverter, and racking cut sheets with listings
Roof framing and attachment details, plus structural analysis for heavier loads
Utility interconnection application

Common reasons solar interconnection applications get bounced

Code-rooted patterns across Arizona — not a city-specific rejection rate.

Incomplete site or roof plan
Missing or inconsistent one-line and three-line diagrams
Fire access pathways or ridge setbacks not shown
No structural analysis for loads above the jurisdiction's threshold
A battery or panel upgrade included in a SolarAPP+ or small-scope submission that excludes them
System operated before the utility's permission to operate

The inspection sequence

A typical order — the number of stops and exact sequence vary by jurisdiction and scope.

1Rough inspection of attachments and conduit, where required
2Final inspection by the building department, plus the fire department where it permits solar
3Jurisdiction's clearance sent to the utility
4Utility meter work and permission to operate

Licensing — who can pull it

Rooftop solar in Arizona is installed by an ROC-licensed electrical contractor — R-11, CR-11, or C-11; there is no PV-specific license class. SRP also accepts an R-39 license for HVAC systems with solar only.

How this works in your Arizona city

Cities marked have verified local data — portal, fee schedule, adopted code edition, and local permit notes sourced from public city and county documents. Every city page links to its official building department.

Phoenix Mesa Scottsdale Unincorporated Maricopa County

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for rooftop solar in Arizona?

Generally yes — Mesa is the exception we've found, exempting listed systems installed by an Arizona-licensed contractor unless there's a battery or meter panel upgrade. Every system also needs the utility's interconnection approval before it operates.

Where can I use SolarAPP+ in Arizona?

Phoenix and unincorporated Maricopa County accept SolarAPP+ for qualifying residential rooftop systems. Phoenix's SolarAPP+ path excludes battery storage and panel upgrades or derating. State law lets cities use automated solar permitting but doesn't require it.

Can a city require an engineer's stamp on residential solar plans?

Arizona law limits that: a city that requires an engineer's stamp on residential solar plans has to explain why in writing. Jurisdictions still ask for structural analysis above certain roof loads, so check the local checklist.

How does interconnection work with APS and SRP?

APS wants its interconnection application approved before you build; SRP wants an application submitted before installation. After final inspection, the jurisdiction's clearance goes to the utility, and the system can't operate until the utility grants permission to operate.

Other common jobs

AC changeout Battery storage EV charger install All jobs All Arizona guides

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