Solar Panel Permitting and Regulations in Port St. Lucie

Blue Energy Electric
Aug 17
2 min read

Updated: Sep 22

Why Permits Matter for Solar in Port St. Lucie

If you’re considering solar energy in Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, or Indian River Counties, you’ll need to understand the local permitting process. At Blue Energy Electric, we make it easy to navigate the paperwork, zoning rules, and inspections so you can focus on enjoying reliable, clean energy.

Solar Permit Requirements in Port St. Lucie

To install solar panels, homeowners and businesses must apply for a solar electric permit through the City Building Department.

Applications typically require:

Property details (address, parcel ID, project type).
Licensed contractor information.
Roof and structural engineering documents proving compliance with Florida’s wind-load codes.
Electrical drawings following NEC Article 690.

Note: Permits may be void if work hasn’t started or paused for more than six months.

Solar Permit Requirements in Port St. Lucie

Zoning and Placement Rules

Port St. Lucie allows solar as an accessory use in most residential zones. Key guidelines include:

Roof-mounted panels: Exempt from height restrictions but must be set back at least 2 feet from the roof edge.
Ground-mounted systems: Limited to 10 feet in height and must be 6 feet from side and 10 feet from rear property lines. Front yard placement is rarely approved.

Faster Solar Permits Under Florida Law

As of June 2025, new Florida law makes solar permitting simpler:

Permits must be approved (or automatically issued) within 5 business days.
No extra documents like contracts or cost breakdowns can be required.
Virtual and private inspections are allowed, cutting delays.
Fees must reflect the new, faster process.

This change means your solar project can move forward more quickly than ever before.

Owner-Builder Solar Permits in Florida

Florida law also allows owner-builder permits under certain conditions:

Homeowners may install solar on their own property if project costs are below set thresholds.
Electrical wiring and grid interconnection must still be completed by a licensed contractor.
The permit must state the exemption, and the homeowner assumes full responsibility as the builder of record.

Residential vs. Commercial Solar Permitting

Category	Residential Solar	Commercial Solar
Permit Timeline	Streamlined under new law	May involve more reviews
Engineering Needs	Sealed plans sometimes required	Almost always required
Site Rules	Mostly roof-mounted	Roof, ground, or hybrid systems

At Blue Energy Electric, we handle both with equal expertise.

Residential vs. Commercial Solar Permitting

Why Choose Blue Energy Electric?

Local expertise: Serving Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin & Indian River Counties.
Trusted professionals: Founded by industry veterans David Scherich and Michael Kerr.
Proven results: Over 2 million watts installed.
Full service: From residential solar panels to commercial solar panels, battery backup storage, maintenance, and even solar removal & reinstallation.
Hurricane-ready designs: Built to withstand Florida’s coastal storms.