Solar
Overview
Advocating renewable energy is an intentional objective of the City of Dublin. The City’s solar energy regulations promote sustainable environmental practices and stewardship, balanced with the high-quality development standards that define the character of the community.
The regulations were established after extensive research and community outreach. City of Dublin residents and businesses completed an online survey in 2022, which provided valuable feedback to the City regarding solar energy equipment. View the results.
In 2023, Dublin City Council adopted zoning code regulations pertaining to the use of solar energy, including standards regarding location, materials and aesthetics for residential and non-residential applications. The standards were further refined in December 2023 to allow for more flexibility. The latest version of Code can be found here: 2023 Renewable Energy Equipment – Solar.
A City Manager Report is provided to City Council each month. It incorporates the number of approved and disapproved solar permits, including the reasons for disapprovals, to allow City staff and Council to identify potential future process improvements.
Dublin Earns SolSmart Designation
Dublin was designated as “SolSmart Bronze” for solar energy leadership. The City received honors for encouraging the growth of clean, affordable solar energy and reducing local barriers to solar energy growth.
SolSmart is a national technical assistance program that recognizes and awards local governments with designations that encourage solar energy in their communities and reduce development barriers.
Solar in Dublin
In most cases, applicants for residential and non-residential solar projects that meet the Code criteria may submit a permit application directly to Building Standards for approval. However, there are certain instances where Planning/Zoning approval is required from the applicable reviewing body prior to permitting.
Review Process
Step 1
Contact Community Planning & Development
Call or schedule a meeting with staff to discuss the project site, the solar request, and whether any Planning/Zoning approvals may be required prior to permitting.
Step 2
Planning/Zoning Approval Process
- All solar projects within the Historic District and Appendix G properties require a Minor Project Review. This includes approval by the Architectural Review Board.
- Exclusive of the Historic District and Architectural Review Board approval, all other solar projects are reviewed by staff as an Administrative Approval.
- Under certain circumstances, formal application review and approval may be required.
- If it is determined that no formal application review and approval is needed, proceed to Step 3.
All applicants are responsible for checking their deed restrictions for regulations regarding solar energy equipment set by the Homeowner or Condo Association, and obtaining necessary Board approvals from those entities prior to contacting the City.
Look up your property classification on the City’s Dubscovery map. Contact City staff for assistance
Step 3
Permit Approval Process
The following permit applications are required for the installation of any solar energy system:
- Residential:
- Residential Alteration Permit and Residential Electric Permit
- Non-residential:
- Commercial Alteration Permit and Commercial Electric Permit
Submit applications on the Accela and ProjectDox portal. The building permit fee is $100 and the electrical permit fee is $105
Residential and Non-Residential solar permit applications are reviewed within 14 days, not exceeding 30 days. Check the status of your permit application.
Step 4
Inspections & Installation
Required inspections include electrical rough inspection, electrical final inspection, zoning inspection and occupancy inspection.
Typically, inspections are completed within one day of the request. A request for inspection can indicate a preference for a.m. or p.m. timeframe.
Solar Energy System Permitting Checklist
The pre-submittal checklist below contains the minimum information and project plan details required to be submitted to the City of Dublin when applying to install a residential or non-residential solar energy system. The intent of using the checklist is to provide transparent and well-defined information to minimize the number of required revisions, improve permit application quality, and accelerate the application and review process.
Required Permits
A permit must be obtained prior to the installation of any solar energy system. Complete the following permit application form(s) and submit any additional required documents.
Residential Solar Energy System
Residential Alteration Permit
Commercial Solar Energy System
Commercial Alteration Permit
Required Permit Documents
At minimum, the following documents are required for solar permit applications. A link to a full list of required documents can be viewed below.
Energy Efficiency Analysis
If panels are located on the front of a principal or accessory structure, an analysis demonstrating that this location provides the greatest efficiency of energy production is required
Site Plan
Location of the panels and their configuration with all associated equipment on the property to scale
Specification Sheets
Show the panels, mounting system, inverters, combiner box, disconnects, and all related information/details
Provide specification sheets showing the panel color and shingle color are similar
Single Line Electrical Plan
Primary and secondary distribution equipment and loads, including feeder identification with conductor and raceway size and type
A full list of required permit documents can be viewed here: Residential Plan Requirements.
A full list of required permit documents can be viewed here: Commercial Plan Requirements and Commercial Electrical Requirements.
Other Requirements
Contractor Requirements
Contractor needs to be registered with the City of Dublin.
Permit Fees
Fee for the building permit is $100. Electrical permit fee is $105.
Submit Permit Application
Installation of any solar energy equipment (residential or commercial) requires a permit application which is processed online through Accela and ProjectDox at dublinohiousa.gov/aca
Permit Review Process Timeline
The City of Dublin is committed to providing a timely review of solar energy permit applications. Best efforts are made to review completed residential and non-residential solar permit applications within 14 days, not exceeding 30 days. These turnaround times are typical, not guaranteed. Some properties may subject to Planning application review and approval prior to submitting for permitting.
Certain circumstances can prolong the permit turnaround time including:
- Applicant does not submit all required information
- Contractor applying for permit is not a licensed contractor
- Equipment is not listed
Permit Status
Check your permit status
Permit Expiration
All permits expire twelve (12) months after date of issue. Failure to start the work authorized by a permit within this twelve-month period renders the permit invalid and a new permit must be obtained. One extension shall be granted for an additional twelve-month period if requested.
Once work begins, if work is delayed or suspended for more than six (6) months, the approval is invalid Two extensions of six months each shall be granted if requested.
Scheduling an Inspection and the Inspection Process
Required inspections include electrical rough inspection, electrical final inspection, zoning inspection, and occupancy inspection. Typically, inspections are completed within one day of the request. A request for inspection can indicate a preference for AM of PM timeframe.
Questions? Contact Us.
If you have questions, please contact Community Planning & Development
614.410.4600
For permitting related questions, please call Building Standards
614.410.4670
Public Records Request Overview
In order to support faster response and better tracking of requests, the City of Dublin uses JustFOIA to collect, respond to and manage public information requests.
Why JustFOIA?
JustFOIA is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online application that helps streamline the open records request process for the community and improve efficiencies in getting requested information quickly and accurately.
The application lets community members submit requests for all city records, including police reports. Commonly requested information includes accident reports, copies of resolutions and body-camera video.
Mission
We are and always have been a proud local democracy. In our service, we strive to provide the best quality of life and environment in which our residents and businesses can thrive. We seek to ally our proud traditions with the best innovations of the future.
Vision
Dublin, Ohio, is the most sustainable, connected and resilient global city of choice.
Core Values
Integrity, Respect, Communication, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Attitude & Dedication to Service.
The City of Dublin operates under a set of seven key core values: integrity, respect, communication, teamwork, accountability, positive attitude and dedication to service. Staff members use these seven values as the basis for daily decision-making, including the decisions that go into the budget process.
- Integrity. We are open and honest. We honor our commitments to the community and each other. Our actions are consistent with what we say.
- Respect. We treat our coworkers and members of the community with courtesy and dignity. We embrace diversity and acknowledge the needs, responsibilities and inherent worth of each individual.
- Communication. We maintain an environment in which employees feel free to share ideas and information. We promote open interaction throughout the organization to ensure knowledge and understanding among all employees and our community.
- Teamwork. We create a climate in which all employees work together and support the individual talents and contributions of team members. We celebrate successes and see mistakes as opportunities for growth; we will never willingly let a member of our team fail.
- Accountability. We are responsible to our community and each other for our personal and organizational decisions, actions and performance results. We are committed stewards of our City’s assets and resources.
- Positive Attitude. We focus our efforts on constructive behavior, attitudes and solutions. We promote an environment that people love going to every day – a place where each individual can find a sense of belonging, inspiration, enjoyment and meaning.
- Dedication to Service. We pursue innovation and continuous improvement in all we do. We are committed to efficient, effective and responsive service delivery that makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Leadership Philosophy
We are members of an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity and the innovative spirit of all of our members. Together, we build a culture of trust, service, mutual respect, inclusion and open communication. We hold ourselves mutually accountable to promote and sustain continuous learning and to develop the learning potential that exists in every member of our team.
City Code
The complete Dublin City Code is available online at American Legal City Ordinance website. Information staff at the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library are available to help navigate this website.
Revised Charter of Dublin, Ohio
This Revised Charter, as adopted on March 19, 1996, became effective on July 4, 1996.
Zoning Code
The Zoning Code for Dublin is Chapter 153 of the Dublin Code of Ordinances. The Zoning Code sets land development requirements and establishes different uses within individual districts. Zoning regulations address the physical development of a site, such as building height, lot requirements, setbacks from lot lines, minimum numbers of parking spaces, sign types and sizes, and other related regulations.
Jenny Rauch, Director of Planning
Phone:
614.410.4600
Code Enforcement:
614.410.4647
Zoning Compliance:
614.410.4661
Fax:
614.410.4747
Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 am – 5 pm
Brad Fagrell, PE, Director of Building Standards, Chief Building Official
Phone:
Permit Window: 614.410.4670
Review Services: 614.410.4608
Fax:
614.410.4697
Permit Window Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Inspector Phone Availability:
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 a.m.
Paul Hammersmith, Director of Engineering
Phone:
614.410.4740
Fax:
614.761.6512
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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5555 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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