City of Tucson - Permit Fee Credit for Solar Energy Systems

The City of Tucson passed Resolution No. 20193 on September 27, 2005, to encourage the installation of solar energy systems throughout the city. The resolution established a policy whereby the director of the Department of Planning and Development Services will waive the fee paid by an applicant for a permit for the installation of a qualifying solar system up to $1,000 for a single installation, or $5,000 for a subdivision or multiple project sites. Other resolutions have since been passed to maintain this permit fee waiver after its expiration. Most recently, Resolution 21951 has reninstated the waiver through the end of fiscal year 2013. Tucson includes in its definition of qualifying solar energy systems: photovoltaics (PV), solar domestic hot water and space heating, and solar air conditioning systems. To qualify, the proposed system must be capable of displacing a minimum of 1,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year at the building site. While building permit fees are credited under this program, plan review fees still apply. The City of Tucson has allowed for a total $200,000 worth of credits for installations made after October 9, 2012 and during fiscal year 2013.