Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Permitting Checklist

The pre-submittal checklist below contains the minimum information and project plan details required to be submitted to the Village of Mount Prospect when applying for a permit to install solar photovoltaic (PV) system in a residential, industrial or commercial area. The intent of using the checklist is to provide transparent and well-deigned information to minimize the number of required revisions, improve permit application quality, and accelerate the application and review process.

Codes and Design Criteria

 The solar array’s electrical and structural designs must satisfy the 2014 National Electric Code and Residential Code. In addition, the Village requires (Village Code Reference):

• Rooftop Mounted Solar PV System:
  • Shall not project higher than the maximum building height permitted for the zoning district. If mounted on an accessory structure, the system shall not project higher than the maximum height permitted for that structure.
  • If mounted on a pitched roof, shall be mounted flush with the slope of the roof and shall not extend further than twelve inches (12") from the roof surface at any point. Solar PV system shall not extend beyond the ridgeline of the roof at any point.
  • Shall be safely and securely attached to the rooftop in compliance with the Village of Mount Prospect building code.
• Ground Mounted Solar PV System:
  • Shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts.
  • Shall satisfy the applicable setback requirements for an accessory structure on the zoning lot.
  • Shall be limited to a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet in size.
  • All ground based utilities associated with the solar PV system shall be appropriately screened in accordance with the requirements of section 14.304.1 of this article.
  • A maximum of two (2) ground mounted SECS shall be permitted per acre per property.
• Installation of the solar PV systems shall be designed to avoid glare or reflection onto adjacent properties and adjacent roadways. Exterior surface shall have a nonreflective finish and shall be color coordinated to harmonize with roof materials and other dominant colors of the structure.
• All solar PV systems structures, including roof mounted, towers, and accessory buildings, shall conform to the appropriate Village related rules and regulations pertaining to their construction, design, operation and maintenance.

Required Permits

A building permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work. Complete the building permit application at https://www.citizenserve.com/mpportal. Visit the Village’s Building Permit Application and Inspections page for more information.

Additional Required Documents

• Drawings or a letter signed and sealed by an Illinois Licensed Design Professional that identifies the ability of the existing roof structure to accommodate the additional loads. Any necessary bracing or reinforcing is required to be identified. 
• Manufacturer’s specification sheets with installation instructions are required with the letter from the Design Professional. 
• If a system were to be proposed outside of the principle structure of the building, as an accessory structure (i.e. garage), the structural integrity of the stand or mounting system and the electrical requirements for connecting into the principle structure must be verified. 
• Provide an electrical system one-line diagram, service and sub-panel load calculations, and roof layout.
• Provide clear color pictures of the electrical panel, proposed sub-panel location and of the interior of the electrical and sub-panels with the cover removed. Indicate how the required code clearances are and will be obtained.
• Clear pictures of the meter socket enclosure, riser, masthead, and riser wire are required.  Indicate how all required code clearances are met. Grounding electrode conductor and jumper must be code compliant with the 2014 NEC.
• Provide clear color pictures of the bonding wire between the hot water, cold water, and gas piping.

Important: If any of the electrical components are deteriorated or does not support a code compliant expansion for solar panels including but not limited to, electrical panel, meter socket enclosure, riser, mast head, riser wire, grounding electrode, bonding wire between hot water, cold water and gas piping, new or compliant electrical components will be required.

Contractor Requirements

Contractor's License is required for all General Contractors, Electricians, Plumbers, Fire Alarm Contractors, Fire Sprinkler Contractors, Roofing Contractors, and HVAC/Mechanical Contractors.  Your company is considered a General Contractor if you are the ONLY contractor on a project or are overseeing multiple trades on a project. Electrical Contractors must submit a copy of their current registration. The fee for a Contractor's License is $200.00 and all licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Obtain a Contractor License Application electronically. Visit the Contractor Licensing page for more information.

Permit Fees

Permit Fees are listed in the Village Code, Appendix A  - Division II Fees, Rates and Taxes. Chapter 21  Building Code

Review Process Timeline

Building and Inspection Services is committed to providing a timely review of solar PV permit applications. Best efforts are made to review completed solar permit applications within three (3) business days. These turnaround times are typical, not guaranteed since unforeseen delays may influence turnaround time.

Certain circumstances can prolong the permit turnaround time including:

• Application does not submit all required information
• Contractor applying for permit is not a licensed contractor
• Additional required documents are not submitted with the application

Permit Status 

To check permit status please visit https://www.citizenserve.com/mpportal or contact Building and Inspection Services at (847) 870-5675.

Permit Expiration

Building permits are issued with the understanding that construction shall start within sixty (60) days after issuance of the permit and to be carried to completion within one year. If building operations are not started within sixty (60) days after issuance of the permit, or if after building operations have been started, such operations shall cease for a period of thirty (30) days, or if the building is not completed and an occupancy permit issued within one year of the date of the issuance of the permit, such building permit shall automatically expire and the permit fee and the proceeds of all the bonds, shall be forfeited to the village per section 21.323 of this chapter. However, if owner can show good cause for failure to start or continue operations, or inability to carry building to completion within one year, the director of community development or his duly authorized agent may reinstate such permit with further payment of an additional permit fee.

Scheduling an Inspection

Inspections requests may be scheduled by telephone, email, or online.  A minimum of 24 hours advance notice (48 or more hours during construction season) is required when requesting inspections. 

By Telephone: Please contact (847) 870-5675, option #2 to schedule an inspection. (Preferred Method)

By Email:  Please email building@mountprospect.org and reference your building permit number.

Online:  Schedule an inspection through the Online Portal, which the permit application was submitted.  Staff will contact you once the request is submitted. 

If the work is not ready on the day of the planned inspection, please call (847) 870-5675 to cancel the inspection.  

Inspection Process and System Operation

Solar PV system installations require only a final inspection, but prior to energizing. Once the system passes the final inspection staff will notify ComEd that all inspections have been approved and that the system is released for service.  Generally, systems are live within 24 hours after the final inspection.  

If you have any questions, please contact Building and Inspection Services at (847) 870-5675 or email building@mountprospect.org.