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.

Which cities do you cover?

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.

How much does it cost?

It's pre-launch. Join the waitlist and you'll get founder pricing, your jurisdiction prioritized, and a direct line to the team. No spam, no credit card.

We're onboarding a first set of California contractors. Join the waitlist with your city and trade so we can prioritize the jurisdictions our early users actually work in.

Solar interconnection permits in Texas

Last updated September 13, 2026

Early Texas guides. getPermit is California-first — these pages share what we've verified in Texas so far, and they don't mean getPermit covers Texas 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 Texas guidance — fees, forms, and timelines are set by each city.

Short answer

Rooftop solar in Texas needs a city permit and the utility's interconnection approval. The Dallas–Fort Worth cities we've checked review solar plans in detail — Arlington requires a Solar Panel permit with a three-line diagram by a master electrician or professional engineer, Dallas's solar checklist calls for engineer-sealed construction documents, and Fort Worth lists solar panels among structures that need a building permit. Installers are TDLR-licensed electrical contractors.

The general picture

Solar in Texas runs on three tracks: TDLR licensing for the installer, a city permit with detailed plan review, and utility interconnection. City requirements differ — Arlington's Solar Panel permit needs a scaled roof plan and a three-line diagram by a TDLR master electrician or Texas professional engineer, Dallas's solar checklist calls for engineer-sealed construction documents, Fort Worth treats solar panels as structures that need a building permit, and Plano lists residential photovoltaic permits in its fee schedule. State law (SB 1202) adds a faster review path for home backup power systems. See the verified notes for Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Plano.

Typically needs a permit

Rooftop and ground-mounted systems, the electrical interconnection, and any panel upgrade or battery added with the system. Texas cities can't prohibit residential solar, but they do permit and inspect it.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Cleaning panels or monitoring an existing system

Documents & plans generally required

Solar or building permit application, plus electrical scope
TDLR electrical contractor license and city registration
Scaled roof plan with the array layout and fire access pathways
Three-line diagram — engineered, or by a TDLR master electrician where the city allows
Listed module and inverter cut sheets
Structural analysis for heavier arrays
Utility interconnection application (Oncor, CenterPoint, or a city-owned utility)

Common reasons solar interconnection applications get bounced

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

Incomplete or illegible construction documents
Three-line diagram missing required ratings or disconnects
Roof pathways and setbacks not shown
No engineered design for arrays above the city's weight threshold
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 building and electrical inspection
3City clearance to the utility
4Utility interconnection agreement and permission to operate

Licensing — who can pull it

Rooftop solar in Texas is installed by a TDLR-licensed electrical contractor. Since September 1, 2025, residential solar sale contracts must name the installing electrical contractor (SB 1036). Since September 1, 2026, residential solar sellers must register with TDLR unless they're licensed electrical contractors.

How this works in your Texas 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.

Dallas Fort Worth Arlington Plano

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for rooftop solar in Texas?

Yes. Texas cities can't prohibit residential solar, but they permit and inspect it — Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano all require permits.

What is SB 1202?

A 2025 Texas law for home backup power — generation, storage, or standby systems on one- and two-family homes. It lets an electrical inspector or a master electrician review and inspect the installation, and requires the city to issue the permit within 3 business days of the approval notice. Check how the city applies it before relying on it.

How does interconnection work in Oncor and CenterPoint territory?

The installer applies through the utility's portal, the utility signs the interconnection agreement and grants permission to operate, and the customer's retail electric provider handles any buyback. Oncor requires a lockable disconnect within 10 feet of the meter for solar and battery systems.

Other common jobs

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

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