Solar Permit Cost in Arlington, TX (2026)
Residential solar panel permit fees for the City of Arlington, Texas (Tarrant County, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex), pulled directly from the city's Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule effective October 1, 2025. Arlington prices a solar panel permit as a flat $325.00 - the same regardless of system size or kilowatt rating, because it is a single flat line, not a per-watt or valuation-based fee - and adds a non-refundable 35% plan review fee of $113.75, for $438.75. A rooftop solar installation also involves an electrical connection; where a separate electrical trade permit is required it is a flat $100.00, so a common solar project draws $538.75 in total. Texas has no statewide permit levy.
This guide covers: The City of Arlington (Tarrant County) residential solar panel permit fee as printed on the Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule effective October 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-258, Exhibit A) - a flat $325.00 solar panel line. Arlington adds a non-refundable plan review fee of 35% of the building permit fee on items its schedule marks for plan review (including solar panels); confirm with Arlington Planning and Development Services. Under that reading a solar permit adds $325.00 x 35% = $113.75, for $438.75; the 35% is calculated on the building permit only, not on the electrical trade permit. That figure is exact from the schedule and is the same regardless of system size or kilowatt rating, because it is a single flat line rather than a per-watt or valuation-based fee.
The electrical trade permit: a rooftop solar array ties into the home's electrical system. Arlington's schedule lists trade permits associated with a building permit as separate flat fees - electrical $100.00, mechanical $100.00, plumbing $100.00. A solar installation that requires an electrical permit therefore commonly totals $538.75 ($325.00 solar + $113.75 plan review + $100.00 electrical). Because the schedule lists solar and the electrical trade permit as separate lines, this guide shows both and does not silently merge them - confirm with the department whether your specific interconnection requires the separate electrical permit.
This guide does NOT cover: the cost of the solar equipment or installation labor, battery energy storage (not a distinct printed line on this schedule - confirm its classification), ground-mount structural work, roof structural reinforcement, utility interconnection charges from the electric provider, impact or zoning fees, or HOA approvals. These are separate and are not included in the figures above.
A residential solar panel permit in Arlington, TX totals $438.75: the flat $325.00 solar line plus a non-refundable 35% plan review fee of $113.75 - the same at any system size, because it is a single flat line rather than a per-watt fee. A rooftop array also ties into the electrical system; where a separate electrical trade permit is required it is a flat $100.00, so a common solar project totals $538.75. The plan review reflects our reading that solar is marked for plan review. Battery storage and ground-mount structural work are not priced here and may add cost. Texas adds no state levy. Figures are from the City of Arlington fee schedule effective October 1, 2025.
- Arlington charges a flat $325.00 for a solar panel permit - the same fee regardless of system size, kilowatt rating, or panel count, because it is a single flat line, not a per-watt or valuation-based schedule.
- A rooftop array ties into the home's electrical system. On our reading of the schedule, solar is marked for Arlington's non-refundable 35% plan review ($325.00 x 35% = $113.75, $438.75 total). Where a separate electrical trade permit is required, it is a flat $100.00 - so a common solar project totals $538.75. The solar and electrical permits are listed as separate lines on the schedule.
- The $538.75 combined figure is a common case, not a guaranteed total. Confirm with the department whether your specific interconnection requires the separate electrical permit before budgeting.
- Battery energy storage is not a distinct printed line on this schedule, and ground-mount arrays may involve separate structural review. Neither is included in the $438.75 or the $538.75 - confirm classification with Planning and Development Services.
- Texas has no statewide percentage permit levy - unlike Virginia's 2% USBC add-on - and Arlington's only percentage charge on the solar permit is the 35% plan review.
- The figures come from the City of Arlington fee schedule effective October 1, 2025 (Resolution 25-258, Exhibit A). Confirm current amounts with Planning and Development Services before budgeting.
Arlington Solar Permit Fee Structure
The solar panel permit is a single flat line, priced the same regardless of system size or value, plus a 35% plan review on that line. The only other common addition is the separate electrical trade permit. There is no per-watt calculation, no valuation calculation, no technology surcharge, and no statewide levy on the solar permit.
| Item | Fee | How It Is Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panel permit | $325.00 | Flat fee from the "Solar Panel" residential line - same at any system size or kW rating. |
| Plan review (35% of the building permit fee) | $113.75 | Non-refundable, assessed at submittal; $325.00 x 35%. Applied on our reading that solar is marked for plan review - confirm with the city. Solar total: $438.75. |
| Electrical trade permit (if required) | $100.00 | Separate flat electrical trade permit for the interconnection - listed distinctly from the solar line. |
| Common combined total | $538.75 | $325.00 solar + $113.75 plan review + $100.00 electrical - the typical case when an electrical permit is required. |
| Battery storage / ground-mount | Not a flat line | Not a distinct printed line on this schedule; may involve separate structural review - confirm with the city. |
| State / city percentage levy | None | Texas has no statewide permit levy; Arlington's only percentage charge on solar is the 35% plan review above. |
Source: City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, effective October 1, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-258, Exhibit A). The electrical permit is shown because a rooftop array ties into the electrical system; confirm whether your interconnection requires it. The battery/ground-mount row discloses a scope limit, not a fee.
Worked Examples - Real Solar Projects in Arlington
Because the solar permit is a flat fee, the permit cost does not change with system size. What changes the picture is whether a separate electrical permit is required and whether battery storage or a ground-mount is involved. Figures are from the city fee schedule effective October 1, 2025.
A homeowner installs an 8 kW rooftop array that ties into the main electrical panel.
- Solar panel permit: $325.00
- Plan review (35% x $325.00): $113.75
- Electrical trade permit: $100.00
- Texas state levy: $0.00 (none)
- Combined permit cost: $538.75
The same $538.75 applies whether the array is 6 kW or 12 kW - both permit lines are flat, not per-watt. The plan review is applied on our reading that solar is marked for plan review; confirm with the city.
Two homeowners install solar - one a small 4 kW system, one a large 15 kW system - each with an electrical permit.
- Small system - $325.00 solar + $113.75 plan review + $100.00 electrical: $538.75
- Large system - $325.00 solar + $113.75 plan review + $100.00 electrical: $538.75
- Same either way: $538.75
Both permit lines are flat, so the solar permit cost is identical regardless of size. Only added scope (battery, ground-mount) would change the picture.
A homeowner adds a battery storage unit alongside the rooftop array.
- Solar panel permit: $325.00
- Plan review (35% x $325.00): $113.75
- Electrical trade permit: $100.00
- Battery storage: not a printed line - department call
- Battery classification: confirm with the city
Battery energy storage is not a distinct printed line on this schedule. This guide does not estimate it - confirm how Arlington permits battery storage before budgeting.
When This Estimate May Not Apply
The flat $325.00 solar line, its $113.75 plan review (our reading), and a common $100.00 electrical permit reflect Arlington's October 1, 2025 schedule. Route your project to Arlington Planning and Development Services before relying on these figures if any of the following applies:
- Your interconnection does not require a separate electrical permit. Then the cost may be just the $438.75 solar line and plan review. Conversely, if it does, add the $100.00 - confirm with the department.
- You are adding battery storage. Battery energy storage is not a distinct printed line on this schedule and may be permitted differently - it is not in the $438.75 or the $538.75.
- It is a ground-mount array. A ground-mounted system may involve separate structural review beyond the flat solar line.
- The roof needs structural reinforcement. If framing must be reinforced to carry the array, that may be permitted as a residential alteration, separate from the flat solar line.
- The schedule is updated. These figures are exact from the schedule effective October 1, 2025, but a city can amend fees by resolution - confirm before filing.
Battery storage, ground-mount structural work, roof reinforcement, and utility interconnection charges are excluded from the figures on this page, and the page-standard disclaimer applies - always verify with Arlington Planning and Development Services before budgeting.
Arlington Solar Permit Cost vs Other Verified Texas Cities
Texas cities price solar permits on different models - flat solar lines, electrical-schedule fees, and minimums. The table below compares Arlington's flat solar permit with other verified Texas cities. Scope differs, so each figure notes its basis.
| City | Solar Fee Basis | Solar Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, TX | Flat $325 solar line + 35% plan review (+ $100 electrical) | $438.75 |
| Carrollton, TX | Flat solar line | $200.00 |
| Lubbock, TX | Flat electrical permit ($75 min) | $75.00 |
| Temple, TX | Flat solar line | $35.00 |
Scope note: figures are for the solar permit line itself; some cities also require a separate electrical permit (Arlington's is $100.00). Arlington's $438.75 ($325.00 solar line + $113.75 plan review) is the highest of the four, well above Carrollton ($200), Lubbock ($75 electrical-schedule), and Temple ($35); even the $325.00 line alone is well above Carrollton's $200. Confirm current figures and whether a separate electrical permit applies with each department.
See Arlington's full residential fee schedule, or compare a nearby city's solar fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who to Contact
| Department | City of Arlington - Planning and Development Services (Permitting & Inspections) |
| Location | City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex) |
| City website | arlingtontx.gov |
| Fee schedule | Arlington Fee Schedule (Effective October 1, 2025) |
Sources
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City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule (Effective October 1, 2025, Resolution No. 25-258, Exhibit A) Arlington, TX (.gov) - the city's official fee schedule PDF. Primary source for the $325.00 flat solar panel permit, the 35% single- and two-family plan review fee, and the $100.00 electrical/mechanical/plumbing trade permits. Read October 6, 2026 exact - effective October 1, 2025
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Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214 Texas statute (.gov) confirming municipal building-regulation authority and that Texas imposes no statewide percentage building-permit levy. Context for the "no statewide levy" statement. Verified June 2026.