Maryland Solar Permitting — Everything Installers Need to Know
Complete guide to solar permitting requirements, top AHJs, and how to get plans approved faster in Maryland.
NEC Version
NEC 2018
PE Stamp
Required
SolarAPP+
Limited
Avg Permit Time
2-4 weeks
Solar in Maryland
Maryland is one of the strongest solar markets on the East Coast, supported by an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that includes a solar carve-out, a robust SREC market, and progressive state policies that make residential solar financially compelling. The state adopted NEC 2018 and requires PE-stamped plans for most residential installations. Maryland's market is shaped by three distinct utility territories — Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), Pepco (serving the D.C. suburbs), and Delmarva Power (Eastern Shore) — each with different rate structures, interconnection processes, and program availability. Montgomery County and Prince George's County, both in the D.C. metro area, represent the highest-volume residential solar markets in the state. Maryland's SREC market provides ongoing revenue that significantly improves solar economics, and the state's Clean Energy Grant program has historically offered upfront rebates. Permitting is handled at the county or city level, with Maryland's relatively small geographic footprint meaning that most installers operate across multiple jurisdictions and must navigate varying local requirements. The Chesapeake Bay watershed creates unique environmental considerations for installations near waterways.
Top Jurisdictions in Maryland
| Jurisdiction | Key Requirements | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | Montgomery County is Maryland's most active residential solar market, driven by affluent homeowners in the D.C. suburbs and relatively high BGE and Pepco electricity rates. The county's Department of Permitting Services handles solar permits with an efficient online portal. PE-stamped plans are required, and plan review typically takes 7-12 business days. Montgomery County has been proactive in supporting solar, including streamlined permitting processes and clear documentation of submittal requirements. | |
| Baltimore City | Baltimore City has a growing residential solar market, supported by SREC revenue and BGE's rate structure. The city's Department of Housing manages building permits, while electrical permits are handled separately. Solar installations in Baltimore's numerous historic districts may require review by the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP). Standard plan review takes 10-15 business days. Rowhouse installations — common in Baltimore — require attention to party wall fire separation and shared roof considerations. | |
| Prince George's County | Prince George's County is the second-most populous jurisdiction in Maryland and a significant solar market. The county's Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement processes solar permits with standard PE-stamped plan requirements. Plan review typically takes 10-15 business days. The county serves as a gateway for installers serving the D.C. metro area and has seen strong growth driven by Pepco territory rate structures and SREC incentives. | |
| Anne Arundel County | Anne Arundel County, home to Annapolis, has an active solar market served primarily by BGE. The county requires standard PE-stamped plans and processes permits through its Office of Planning and Zoning. Installations near the Chesapeake Bay or its tributaries may trigger additional environmental review requirements. Plan review averages 10-14 business days. The Annapolis Historic District has additional architectural review requirements for solar installations. | |
| Howard County | Howard County is one of Maryland's most affluent jurisdictions with strong residential solar adoption. The county's Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits handles solar permitting with straightforward requirements. PE-stamped plans are standard, and plan review typically takes 7-12 business days. Howard County has been supportive of solar development and has clear, accessible permitting guidelines. |
State Incentives
- Maryland SREC Market
- Maryland Energy Administration Clean Energy Grant
- Property Tax Exemption
- Net Metering
- Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Maryland-Specific Requirements
- BGE / Pepco / Delmarva Power Territory Differences
- Chesapeake Bay Environmental Considerations
- Strong SREC Market Dynamics
How Skyfire Handles Maryland Permitting
Skyfire's compliance engine includes all Maryland AHJ requirements, automatically applying the correct NEC version (NEC 2018), PE stamp requirements, and jurisdiction-specific forms for every project.
- Maryland AHJ database with current requirements
- PE stamps from engineers licensed in MD
- Auto-applied NEC 2018 compliance checks
Maryland Solar Permitting FAQ
How does the Maryland SREC market work for residential solar?
When a residential solar system generates electricity, it also generates Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) — one SREC for every 1 MWh (1,000 kWh) produced. These SRECs can be sold to utilities that need them to comply with Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard solar carve-out. A typical 8 kW residential system generates 8-10 SRECs per year. Homeowners can sell SRECs through aggregators, brokers, or directly on the PJM-GATS tracking platform. At recent market prices of $50-$80 per SREC, this represents $400-$800 in annual revenue on top of the electricity savings from net metering.
What are the differences between BGE, Pepco, and Delmarva Power for solar customers?
The three utilities differ in retail rates (BGE is generally highest, Delmarva lowest), interconnection application processes and timelines, and additional program offerings. BGE serves Baltimore and central Maryland counties; Pepco serves Montgomery and Prince George's counties; Delmarva Power serves the Eastern Shore. All three must offer net metering per state law, but the interconnection process — including application forms, required documentation, and approval timelines — varies by utility. Installers should build familiarity with each utility's specific process and maintain separate application templates.
Does Maryland have a statewide property tax exemption for solar?
Yes. Maryland law provides a statewide exemption that excludes solar energy equipment from property tax assessments. Unlike some neighboring states where the exemption is optional at the local level, Maryland's exemption applies uniformly across all jurisdictions. This means installing solar panels will not increase a homeowner's property tax bill regardless of where they live in Maryland.
What additional requirements apply to solar installations in Maryland historic districts?
Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP), Annapolis's Historic Preservation Commission, and similar bodies in other Maryland historic districts may require design review approval before solar panels can be installed. Restrictions typically address visibility from public rights-of-way, panel color and profile, and mounting methods. In some cases, panels may only be permitted on rear-facing or non-street-visible roof planes. These reviews add 2-6 weeks to the permitting timeline and should be identified early in the project scoping process.
How long does solar permitting take in Maryland's major jurisdictions?
Montgomery County and Howard County are among the fastest, with plan review typically taking 7-12 business days. Baltimore City, Prince George's County, and Anne Arundel County average 10-15 business days. These timelines assume complete and compliant submittals — incomplete applications or plans with code deficiencies will add one to three additional review cycles. Interconnection approval from the serving utility runs parallel to AHJ permitting and can add 2-6 weeks after permit issuance depending on the utility.
What is the Critical Area and how does it affect solar installations in Maryland?
Maryland's Critical Area encompasses all land within 1,000 feet of tidal waters and tidal wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Development in the Critical Area is subject to additional environmental regulations including impervious surface limits, buffer requirements, and habitat protection. Roof-mounted solar installations are generally not affected because they don't increase impervious surface coverage. However, ground-mount systems in the Critical Area may face significant restrictions or require special permits. Counties along the Bay and Eastern Shore are most affected, and installers should verify Critical Area status for any ground-mount project in these regions.
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