Solar site surveys · Baltimore, MD

Solar site surveys in Baltimore

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

Book a 15-min call Permitting in Baltimore

NEC 2020Electrical code in effect

2AHJs covered here

48 hrsSurvey to deliverable

Nationwide500+ technicians

Short answer

Baltimore City permits solar through DHCD's E-Permits portal under its own Building, Fire, and Related Codes (2021 IRC and IFC, 2020 NEC), with historic district properties referred to CHAP. Baltimore County is a separate AHJ on the 2021 codes and the 2026 NEC, needing a building permit only for systems of 10 kW or more. BGE handles interconnection, and the city designs for a 30 psf ground snow load.

What changes in Baltimore

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

MD · BALTIMORE

Code stack

2020NEC 2020National Electrical Code · effective May 22, 2024. Baltimore City's Building, Fire, and Related Codes adopt the 2020 NEC (Ordinance 24-341, effective May 22, 2024); Baltimore County instead enforces the 2026 NEC for permits issued after August 31, 2026.^1,2

2021IRC 2021Under the Maryland Building Performance Standards every jurisdiction uses the same IBC, IRC and IECC edition, which locals may amend (except the energy and accessibility codes). The 2021 IBC and IRC took effect at state level on May 29, 2023, with local enforcement due within 12 months; proposed MBPS rules adopting the 2024 IBC, IRC and IECC were published June 26, 2026.^3,4,5,6

2021Fire code 2021Baltimore City, exempt from the state fire law, uses the 2021 IFC with city amendments; Baltimore County has its own fire prevention code.^7,8,9

Rooftop fire access. Rooftop access follows the locally enforced residential code and fire code, and it differs by jurisdiction: Baltimore City's fire code (2021 IFC, Ordinance 24-341) applies the PV access and pathway rules to Group R-3 buildings but does not adopt the model code's exceptions to them, while most counties fall under the state NFPA 1 fire code.^10,7,11

Climate and site factors

Snow load

Baltimore City's IRC design table sets a 30 psf ground snow load, which drives the structural check of existing rafters under a new array.¹²

Fire pathways

The city applies the IFC's PV access and pathway rules to Group R-3 buildings without the model code's exceptions, so confirm with DHCD how pathways apply to the roof in question.¹⁰

Two NEC editions

A job in Baltimore County after August 31, 2026 is designed to the 2026 NEC, while a job across the line in the city is designed to the 2020 NEC.^2,13

Historic districts

City permits on properties in CHAP historic districts are referred for preservation review after submission, which adds time.¹⁴

Permitting in Baltimore

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

Baltimore City DHCD Permits and Inspections

Permits are filed through the E-Permits portal or in person at 417 E. Fayette St. Applications on properties in City historic districts (CHAP), floodplains or design review areas are referred to other agencies after submission. The city's 2024 Building, Fire, and Related Codes, effective May 22, 2024, adopt the 2021 IRC and IFC and the 2020 NEC.^14,1

Official page ↗

Baltimore County Permits, Approvals and Inspections

A building permit is required for solar of 10 kW or more, with construction plans showing the roof-mounting detail; every system also needs an electrical permit from a master electrician licensed or registered with the county. Applications are online only, and sites within 3.3 miles of Martin State Airport need an airport zoning permit.^15,16

Official page ↗

Across the metro

Baltimore City and Baltimore County are separate jurisdictions with different code editions; communities such as Towson, Dundalk and Catonsville are unincorporated and permitted by Baltimore County. Each Maryland jurisdiction may amend the IBC and IRC locally.^3,9

Baltimore County
Towson
Dundalk
Catonsville
Anne Arundel County
Howard County

Maryland-wide rules that still apply

The Brighter Tomorrow Act (Chapter 595 of 2024, SB 783) required counties and municipalities to implement software supporting the tracking and approval of residential solar, energy storage and main panel upgrade or derate permits by August 1, 2025, with exceptions in certain circumstances.^17,18
Real Property 2-119 voids covenant and HOA restrictions that unreasonably limit roof or wall solar the owner controls; a restriction is unreasonable if it raises cost at least 5% or cuts output at least 10%, shown by a NABCEP-certified designer or one with 30 systems in 3 years. Associations may still restrict common areas.¹⁹
Counties and municipalities issue permits under the MBPS and can amend the IBC and IRC for local conditions, so submittal thresholds differ: Baltimore County, for example, requires a building permit only for solar of 10 kW or more, plus an electrical permit by a county-registered master electrician.^3,15
Interconnection of generators up to 10 MW follows the PSC's small generator rules in COMAR 20.50.09, using standard applications at each utility.²⁰

Utilities and interconnection

BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, delivers electricity across central Maryland and requires the local inspection certificate before a system can operate.^21,20

Baltimore Gas and Electric BGE

Delivers electricity to more than 1.3 million customers in central Maryland. After approval BGE sends an interconnection agreement within five business days, and the customer returns a Certificate of Completion with proof of local inspection before operating.^21,20

Interconnection page ↗

Export compensation. Maryland law still requires net metering tariffs identical to the customer's regular rate, open until customer generation statewide reaches 3,000 MW. In a month when generation exceeds use the customer pays only customer charges, and net excess can accrue for up to 12 months ending in April or, except for co-op and municipal customers, indefinitely.²²

What we capture on every Baltimore survey

The same capture standard as every other Maryland 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

Baltimore solar survey FAQ

Which NEC edition does Baltimore City use for solar?

The 2020 NEC, adopted in the city's 2024 Building, Fire, and Related Codes (Ordinance 24-341, effective May 22, 2024).^13,1

Does Baltimore County need a building permit for rooftop solar?

Only for systems of 10 kW or more; every solar installation needs an electrical permit from a county-registered master electrician.¹⁵

What snow load applies to solar in Baltimore City?

The city's IRC design table lists a 30 psf ground snow load.¹²

How do I get a solar permit in Baltimore City?

Through DHCD's E-Permits portal or in person at 417 E. Fayette St.; historic district and floodplain properties are referred to other agencies for review after you submit.¹⁴

What does BGE need before a Baltimore system can turn on?

A signed interconnection agreement and a returned Certificate of Completion with proof that the local inspection authority approved the installation.²⁰

Services and further reading

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

Residential

Roof, attic and service panel in one visit

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Commercial & Industrial

Roof, structure and switchgear

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Utility-Scale

Terrain, build and operations

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Site surveys

Roof and electrical, one visit

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Permitting & engineering

Stamped sets, six days from survey

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Shading analysis

SA, TOF and TSRF per plane

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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.

Researched September 30, 2026.

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Solar site surveys in Baltimore

What changes in Baltimore

Climate and site factors

Snow load

Fire pathways

Two NEC editions

Historic districts

Permitting in Baltimore

Baltimore City DHCD Permits and Inspections

Baltimore County Permits, Approvals and Inspections

Across the metro

Maryland-wide rules that still apply

Utilities and interconnection

Baltimore Gas and Electric BGE

What we capture on every Baltimore survey

Roof and structure

Electrical and interconnection

Commercial buildings

Every visit

Baltimore solar survey FAQ

Services and further reading

Residential

Commercial & Industrial

Utility-Scale

Site surveys

Permitting & engineering

Shading analysis

From Field Notes

Sources

Talk through your next Baltimore site in 15 minutes