getting permits for installing solar on a detached garage with no permits found

[acf]

Hi, I purchased a property some time ago with a detached garage that was not built under permits. It has a 100amp sub panel connected to the main house. It seems well built

Will I have any issues with the city getting approval for the solar panels if I wanted it installed on top of the garage rather than my main house?

[smily03]

I would guess that it depends on where you live...many larger municipalities will require the non-permitted building to be inspected.

[organic farmer]

That is completely up to your building inspector.

In my town a carport does not need a permit if it does not have a foundation or slab. Likewise I was not required to get a permit for a free-standing solar panel array.

But in other towns it might be different.

[Sunking]

Call your code office. They are the only one who can answer correctly. Any answer here is a WAG and would be foolish to believe. .

So here is my WAG based on 40 years experience.

The Inspector is not allowed to inspect anything other than what the Permit specifies as scope of work. It would be extremely foolish for then to do otherwise and open them up to liability lawsuits and conflict of interest. In other words everything is Grand Fathered except for the work being performed.

One of the things the Inspector can look at and enforce is the Structure and is it capable of supporting the weight. If he has any doubts he is going to ask for a Structural PE to sign off to relieve the city of responsibility if the structure fails. That is when you call me and send me a check.

[solarix]

In my area, the building dept will require you to get the supporting structure in conformance before approving the solar install - and they charge double for the fees if you permit something after its built. I've had to turn down several solar jobs because people had non-conforming structures.
You know, the arctic is melting and the seas are rising, but "safety first" when going solar!

[J.P.M.]

I'd call the building dept. AFTER I rooted around looking for information on protocol/regs. for non permitted structures to help avoid screwing yourself by perhaps tipping the powers that be off about a non permitted structure. Then, with that and other information you glean in your search, go in and ask a few general questions in such a way to help them help you without tipping your hand ("I'm thinking about solar ...", or, "What about existing structures... ?", etc.) My guess is they want to do their jobs and keep things safe, but as a practical matter may well not want to generate a lot of extra work if possible. My guess is also that if in an area of any sizeable population, there is a way to handle similar situations which probably happen on a regular basis. Your's is probably not the only non-permitted structure in the area.