Arizona Solar Permit Overview
Arizona's 300+ days of sunshine make it one of the nation's top solar states. The state has a near-absolute ban on HOA solar restrictions, ACC-regulated interconnection for investor-owned utilities, and a generally installer-friendly permitting environment. The biggest complexity: the APS vs. SRP split. The two dominant utilities serve overlapping geographic areas with different rate structures and interconnection processes — getting your utility wrong at the start costs weeks.
Check your electric bill. APS and SRP have different interconnection portals, different net metering policies, and different timelines. SRP customers should understand that SRP uses a Customer Generation Price Plan (CGPP) — not traditional net metering — which credits exported power at time-of-use avoided cost rates rather than full retail.
Arizona Solar — Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Body | Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) |
| Net Metering (APS) | Excess credits at avoided cost rate |
| Net Metering (SRP) | Customer Generation Price Plan (CGPP) |
| HOA Solar Law | A.R.S. § 33-439 — HOAs cannot prohibit solar |
| HOA Cost Cap | $500 — HOA requirements cannot add more than this |
| Performance Cap | 10% — HOA restrictions cannot reduce output by more than this |
| Contractor License | Arizona ROC license — verify at roc.az.gov |
| NEC Version (typical) | 2017 NEC (most AHJs) |
| IBC Version (typical) | 2018 IBC |
| IFC Version (typical) | 2021 IFC (fire setbacks) |
Arizona County Solar Permit Guides
Maricopa County (Unincorporated)
Phoenix metro's unincorporated areas. APS or SRP. MyGovernmentOnline portal. Expedited track for systems under 10kW. $150–$400 fee.
Full county guide →Pima County (Unincorporated)
Tucson area. TEP is primary utility — requires pre-application notification. Engineer stamp required for systems over 10kW. $200–$500 fee.
Full county guide →Yavapai County
Prescott area. Multiple utility territories including APS and co-ops. Rural areas may require additional structural review. $100–$300 fee.
Full county guide →Coconino County
Flagstaff area. APS territory. Higher elevation — snow load considerations affect structural review. $150–$350 fee.
Full county guide →Incorporated City Solar Permits
Addresses within incorporated cities go to the city's building department — not the county. Verify your jurisdiction at your county assessor's website before submitting.
| City | Department | Phone | Utility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Phoenix Development Services | (602) 262-7811 | APS |
| Tucson | Tucson Development Services | (520) 791-5550 | TEP |
| Mesa | Mesa Building Safety | (480) 644-2701 | SRP |
| Chandler | Chandler Building Safety | (480) 782-3000 | APS |
| Scottsdale | Scottsdale Building Safety | (480) 312-5750 | APS |
| Gilbert | Gilbert Building Safety | (480) 503-6700 | SRP |
| Tempe | Tempe Community Development | (480) 350-4311 | APS / SRP |
| Peoria | Peoria Building Safety | (623) 773-7225 | APS |
HOA Solar Rights — A.R.S. § 33-439
Arizona's HOA solar law is among the strongest in the nation. Any HOA provision that prohibits or unreasonably restricts solar energy devices is void and unenforceable. HOAs cannot add more than $500 to installation cost or require placement that reduces output by more than 10%. Full guide and template letter: HOA Solar Rights by State.
Arizona Utility Interconnection
APS
Submit at aps.com. CAL issued before installation. PTO timeline: 20–30 business days after county final inspection. APS net metering credits excess at avoided cost rate.
SRP
Submit at srpnet.com. CGPP — time-of-use export credits, not standard net metering. PTO timeline: 20–30 business days. Review SRP's CGPP terms carefully before design finalization.
TEP (Tucson Electric Power)
TEP requires a pre-application notification call before permit submission. Systems over 10kW require AZ-licensed engineer stamp. Submit interconnection at tep.com. Timeline: 30–45 business days.
Full guide: Solar Interconnection Application Steps.
Arizona Solar FAQ
Go to roc.az.gov and search by company name or license number. Confirm the license is active, that it covers the correct license class (A-17 for solar/electrical work), and that there are no disciplinary actions. Never pay a deposit to an installer whose ROC license you haven't verified — it takes 2 minutes and can save you from serious problems.
Arizona offers a state income tax credit of 25% of system cost, up to $1,000. APS has historically offered incentive programs (check aps.com for current offerings — they change frequently). The federal 30% ITC is available regardless of state. This site covers permitting, not tax/incentive advice — consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
In most Arizona jurisdictions, owner-builder permits are technically available for owner-occupants doing their own work. However, the electrical components of a solar installation typically require an ROC-licensed electrical contractor in practice. Few AHJs will issue an electrical permit to an unlicensed homeowner for a PV system. Full guide: Pulling Your Own Solar Permit.