Do You Need a Solar Panel Permit in Pittsburgh?

Short answer
Yes

Roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar arrays need a residential electrical permit from PLI, plus a Zoning Development Review. Roof-mounted installs are limited to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy.

Source: Pittsburgh PLI: Residential Electrical Permit

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Pittsburgh Solar Panel Permits at a Glance

Permits, last 12 months
300
Issued, last 30 days
14
Median application to issue
Not published
Median declared job value
$20,578
Issuing office
Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI)
Rule last checked
October 30, 2026

Permits Issued per Month

40 Nov 26 Dec 11 Jan 13 Feb 15 Mar 21 Apr 19 May 33 Jun 60 Jul 30 Aug 16 Sep 14 Oct
Pittsburgh solar panel permits issued per month, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Lighter bar = current month to date.

Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to solar panel work. Data from WPRDC: PLI Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.

What Pittsburgh's Rules Say

  • Solar PV arrays are an electrical permit work scope.
  • Solar PV arrays also need a Zoning Development Review.
  • Roof-mounted arrays need a building with a valid certificate of occupancy.

Pittsburgh Solar Panel Permit Fees

We have not verified Pittsburgh's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) sets the fee when you apply.

Busiest Areas for Solar Panel Permits

NeighborhoodPermits (12 mo)
Brookline24
Greenfield20
Highland Park14
Brighton Heights12
Squirrel Hill South12
Hazelwood9

How to Get a Solar Panel Permit in Pittsburgh

  1. Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
  2. Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
  3. Apply with the Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) through the official department website.
  4. Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.

Recent Pittsburgh Solar Panel Permits

IssuedAddressWork
2026-10-21700 River AveINSTALL 64 ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS WITH ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
2026-10-211111 N Sheridan AveEZ Permit - Roof Mounted Solar
2026-10-201076 Muldowney Averooftop solar panels
2026-10-20209 Bausman StROOF MOUNTED SOLAR ARRAY AND BATTERY POWERWALL
2026-10-15816 Rossmore Aveinstallation of 20 roof mounted solar panels
2026-10-131036 Chelton AveResidential Roof Mounted Solar Panel Installation - 6.16kW DC
2026-10-095533 Columbo StInstallation 12.180kWp DC Rooftop Solar PV System
2026-10-09130 Prospect StRoof-mount solar, 6.56 kW DC system size, 16 modules, 1 Tesla POWERWALL 3 battery.
2026-10-087704 Waverly StInstallation of a 13.2 kW/DC Roof mounted solar array consisting of: (30) VSUN 440W Modules; (30) Enphase IQ8MC Micro-In
2026-10-073416 California Averesidential rooftop solar + battery installation

Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.

Pittsburgh Solar Panel Contractors: Get Weekly Permit Lists

Contractors: get new permits for your trade and city every Monday. Join the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a solar panel permit in Pittsburgh?

Yes. Roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar arrays need a residential electrical permit from PLI, plus a Zoning Development Review. Roof-mounted installs are limited to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy.

How many solar panel permits does Pittsburgh issue?

Pittsburgh issued 300 permits matching solar panel work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 25 a month. The busiest month was Jul 2026 with 60.

How much does a solar panel permit cost in Pittsburgh?

We have not yet verified Pittsburgh's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) when you apply.

How long does it take to get a solar panel permit in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh's open data for these records does not include usable application dates, so we cannot calculate a processing time. Ask the Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) for current timelines.

Who issues solar panel permits in Pittsburgh?

The Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI).

Related Permit Guides

Written and maintained by the Home Permit Guide Editorial TeamPlaceholder profile

Last updated

This is a placeholder editorial profile. A named reviewer with verifiable experience will be added here. Until then, every rule on this page links to the official government source it was checked against. Read our editorial policy.

Sources

Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.

  1. Pittsburgh PLI: Residential Electrical Permit (linked above) (pittsburghpa.gov)
  2. Pittsburgh PLI Bulletin: Standard Permit Application Requirements (pittsburghpa.gov)