City of Houston Solar Permit Guide
In the City of Houston you pull building permits before installing rooftop solar, then separately request interconnection from CenterPoint. Here’s the city side of it.
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Permits you’ll need
A structural and an electrical building permit, both issued under one project/permit number. A licensed electrician must purchase the electrical permit.
How to submit
Everything is filed electronically: apply, verify your address, and pay in iPermits, then upload your plan set to ProjectDox for the Electronic Plan Review (EPR).
Fast-track option
Since July 2024 Houston accepts SolarAPP+, an automated code-compliance check that can approve eligible rooftop PV and storage same-day to about 3 business days — versus 2–4 weeks for standard plan review.
Fees & timeline
Residential solar permit fees typically run about $250–$500, with a plan-review fee of 25% of the permit fee due at submission.
Outside city limits
If your home is in unincorporated Harris County (outside city limits), you permit through Harris County instead, with electrical inspection coordinated by the County Engineering Department.
Permit in hand? The next step is requesting grid interconnection from CenterPoint — see its rates, buyback, fees, and application links. Or go back to the full Texas solar guide.