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Home  /  Solar site surveys  /  Arizona  /  Phoenix

Solar site surveys · Phoenix, AZ

Solar site surveys in Phoenix

Roof, attic and service panel captured in one visit, with the plan set built for the Phoenix AHJ you submit into and the utility that serves the address.

NEC 2023Electrical code in effect
3AHJs covered here
48 hrsSurvey to deliverable
Nationwide500+ technicians
Short answer

In metro Phoenix each city is its own permitting authority, and codes differ: the City of Phoenix enforces the 2024 I-Codes, the 2023 NEC and a 2024-based fire code with its own PV pathway amendments. Both APS and SRP serve the Valley with boundaries that do not follow city lines, so confirm the utility for each address, and plan surveys around summer heat, tile roofs and monsoon weather.

What changes in Phoenix

Arizona state rules apply here, plus whatever the local AHJ amends.

AZ · PHOENIXPhoenix
Code stack
2023NEC 2023National Electrical Code · effective Aug 1, 2025. Arizona does not adopt the NEC statewide; each city or county adopts its own edition. The City of Phoenix enforces the 2023 NEC with local amendments effective August 1, 2025, while unincorporated Maricopa County still lists the 2017 NEC as of September 2026, so confirm the edition with the AHJ.1,2,3
2024IRC 2024Phoenix adopted the full set of 2024 International Codes, including the IRC, in June 2025 with an August 1, 2025 effective date. Other jurisdictions vary: unincorporated Maricopa County lists the 2018 IRC, with a move to the 2024 I-Codes and 2023 NEC under review by its building code advisory board in 2026.4,5,2,6
2024IFC 2024The Phoenix Fire Code is the 2024 IFC with city amendments, effective February 17, 2026. Fire code editions elsewhere in Arizona are set by each local fire authority.7,8
Rooftop fire access. In Phoenix, rooftop PV follows the IFC Section 1205 access and pathway rules as amended by the city, and the amendments remove the usual exemptions for IRC-built homes and low-slope roofs so one- and two-family (R-3) homes must still provide pathways. Phoenix also requires a fire permit for PV systems of 3 kW AC or larger; outside Phoenix, check the local fire code.8,7

Climate and site factors

Extreme heat

Phoenix had 113 straight days of 100°F-plus weather in 2024 and 70 days at 110°F or above, which makes early-morning roof time and heat-illness controls essential.9,10

Tile roofs

Many Valley homes have concrete tile roofs whose underlayment degrades with age and heat. Record tile type, broken tiles and underlayment condition, since these drive the mounting method and possible re-roof work.11,12

Monsoon wind and dust

From mid-June through September, thunderstorm outflows can produce damaging winds, hail and large dust storms. Dust also builds up on modules, and Maricopa County designs for a 115 mph wind speed.13,14

Fire pathways on every home

Phoenix's fire code amendments apply PV roof pathway rules to one- and two-family homes even where the base IFC would exempt IRC-built or low-slope roofs, which affects how much of the roof can hold panels.8

Permitting in Phoenix

The main AHJs, and how the rest of the metro splits up.

City of Phoenix Planning & Development

Phoenix accepts SolarAPP+ approvals for residential rooftop PV on single-family homes and duplexes by Arizona-licensed contractors; the approval ID is entered in the PDD online permit application. Systems with batteries, ground mounts, or sites in historic districts or flood hazard areas are excluded, and a separate Phoenix Fire Department PV permit is also required.15,16

Official page ↗

Phoenix Fire Department (Fire Prevention)

Enforces the Phoenix Fire Code (2024 IFC with amendments, effective February 17, 2026), which requires a fire permit for PV of 3 kW AC or more and applies roof pathway rules to one- and two-family homes.7,8

Official page ↗

Maricopa County Planning & Development

Handles unincorporated Maricopa County only and accepts SolarAPP+ for eligible rooftop residential PV; flood hazard areas, hillside zones, manufactured homes and ballasted systems go through standard review.17

Official page ↗

Across the metro

Each incorporated city or town in the Valley issues its own solar permits and adopts its own code editions (Avondale, for example, moved to the 2024 I-Codes and 2023 NEC on January 1, 2026); Maricopa County covers only unincorporated land.17,3

Arizona-wide rules that still apply

Utilities and interconnection

APS and SRP both serve large parts of the Phoenix metro, and their territories interleave rather than following city limits, so check the service map or the customer's bill. The City of Mesa also runs its own electric utility and solar program for part of Mesa.23,24,25

Arizona Public Service APS

Largest Arizona utility, serving about 1.4 million customers in 11 of 15 counties; installers submit interconnection applications through APS's PowerClerk portal, and solar customers must be on a time-of-use plan.23,26,27

Interconnection page ↗

Salt River Project SRP

Public power utility serving much of the Phoenix area; installers apply through SRP's PowerClerk portal, an SRP design consultant reviews the electrical design, and the customer has six months to finish installation and commissioning.28,29

Interconnection page ↗
Export compensation. For APS, TEP and UNS Electric, exported solar is credited at the ACC-approved Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP) rate, which can drop by no more than 10% a year and is locked for 10 years at the rate in effect when the customer applies. In August 2026 the ACC approved a 10% cut for APS and UNS customers to about 5.55 cents/kWh (from about 6.17 cents) effective September 1, 2026, with TEP's annual reset expected later. SRP uses its own customer-generation plans; its FY26 price book lists a 3.45 cents/kWh export credit on several legacy solar plans, which are set to be retired as of the November 2029 billing cycle.30,31,32,33

What we capture on every Phoenix survey

The same capture standard as every other Arizona job, so the plan set is built on what the technician verified on site.

Roof and structure

  • Measured roof planes: pitch, azimuth, dimensions
  • Every penetration and obstruction, located
  • Rafter or truss size, spacing and span
  • Decking type and condition
  • Layer count at a cut edge
  • Setbacks and fire pathway constraints
  • Horizon shading capture per array area

Electrical and interconnection

  • Main breaker and bus bar rating, photographed separately
  • Meter location and configuration
  • Slot count: used, open, tandem, double-tapped
  • Available interconnection points
  • Existing loads and sub-panels
  • Conduit route, measured along the actual path
  • Grounding electrode and bonding path

Commercial buildings

  • Membrane type, age and condition, with drainage pattern
  • Bar joist depth, spacing and span
  • Deck type and gauge
  • Switchgear and available bus capacity
  • Access and lift constraints for the install crew

Every visit

  • Roof and electrical in one visit, no second trip
  • 48-hour turnaround from survey to deliverable
  • Photo documentation throughout
  • Permit sets available, stamped, 6 days from survey

Phoenix solar survey FAQ

Does the City of Phoenix offer instant solar permits?

Phoenix accepts SolarAPP+ approvals for eligible residential rooftop PV, which skips manual plan review. Battery systems, ground mounts and sites in historic districts or flood zones are not eligible and go through the regular process.15

Which codes does the City of Phoenix use for rooftop solar?

Since August 1, 2025, Phoenix has enforced the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 NEC with local amendments, and its fire code has been based on the 2024 IFC since February 17, 2026. Neighboring cities may use different editions.4,1,7

Is my Phoenix-area home served by APS or SRP?

It depends on the exact address, because APS and SRP territories interleave across the Valley and do not follow city lines. Check the utility's service map or a recent bill, and note that part of Mesa is served by the City of Mesa's electric utility.23,25

Who permits solar outside Phoenix city limits?

The city or town where the home sits, such as Mesa, Chandler or Scottsdale, issues the permit. Maricopa County permits only unincorporated areas and accepts SolarAPP+ for eligible rooftop systems there.17

Does Phoenix require a fire department permit for solar?

Yes, for most systems. The Phoenix Fire Code requires a permit for PV systems rated 3 kW AC or more, in addition to the building permit from Planning & Development.8,15

Services and further reading

State-level detail is on the Arizona page; every location is on the solar site survey hub.

From Field Notes

Sources

Every local fact on this page links to where it came from. Codes, programs and tariffs change: confirm the current requirement with the AHJ and the utility before you design.

  1. https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/pddsite/documents/codes-ordinances/amendmentcodes/2023-nec.pdf
  2. https://www.maricopa.gov/2271/Ordinances-Regulations-and-Codes
  3. https://www.avondaleaz.gov/government/departments/development-services/building-services-division/building-code-adoption
  4. https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/pdd-news/city-of-phoenix-adopts-2024-building-construction-code-to-suppor.html
  5. https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/pddsite/documents/codes-ordinances/amendmentcodes/2024-irc.pdf
  6. https://www.maricopa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09152026-3846?packet=true
  7. https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/fire/safety-prevention/fire-code.html
  8. https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/firesite/documents/2024%20Phoenix%20Fire%20Code%20Packet.pdf
  9. https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2024-09-17/after-a-record-113-days-phoenix-finally-gets-a-break-from-triple-digit-heat
  10. https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2025-01-01/2024-will-likely-be-confirmed-as-phoenixs-hottest-year-ever
  11. https://www.rencoroofing.com/tile-roof-problems-phoenix/
  12. https://www.americaroofingco.com/roof-replacement-with-solar-panels-in-phoenix-az/
  13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Phoenix
  14. https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5808/Local-Additions-and-Addenda-PDF?bidId=
  15. https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd/residential-building/resident-plan-reviews/solarapp-photovoltaic.html
  16. https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/pddsite/documents/trt/external/dsd_trt_pdf_00290.pdf
  17. https://www.maricopa.gov/6714/Residential-Solar-Permits
  18. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/9/00468.htm
  19. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/11/00323.htm
  20. https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Permits/Residential-Solar-Permits
  21. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01816.htm
  22. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/00439.htm
  23. https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Service-Plans/Service-Area-Maps
  24. https://www.aps.com/-/media/APS/APSCOM-PDFs/Residential/Service-Plans/Service-Territory-Map/APS_Service_Territory_Phoenix_Metro.pdf?sc_lang=en&hash=6E60B3C89BDC17124E5DA0AE92397F45
  25. https://www.mesaaz.gov/Utilities/Energy/Electric/Solar-Program
  26. https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Service-Plans/Understanding-Solar
  27. https://www.aps.com/-/media/APS/APSCOM-PDFs/Residential/Service-Plans/Understanding-Solar/InterconnectionApplicationProcessGuide.pdf?sc_lang=en
  28. https://www.srpnet.com/assets/srpnet/pdf/doing-business/builders-developers-contractors/residential-distributed-energy-interconnection-process-flow.pdf
  29. https://www.srpnet.com/doing-business/builders-developers-contractors/info-residential-solar-contractors
  30. https://www.pv-tech.org/acc-cuts-arizona-solar-export-rate/
  31. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000764622/000076462226000041/pnw-20260630.htm
  32. https://www.tep.com/rcp/
  33. https://www.srpnet.com/assets/srpnet/pdf/price-plans/FY26/2025-RatebookV2.pdf

Researched September 29, 2026.

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