Solar permit requirements in Un-incorporated Miami-Dade, FL

What Un-incorporated Miami-Dade expects on a solar permit

Projects must be designed for a wind speed of 175 mph, Exposure Category C, and Risk Category II per FBC 2023 and ASCE 7-22. Submittals must be provided as separate digital files rather than a single combined PDF. Applicants must include Florida Product Approval or Notice of Acceptance documentation for all mounting components and provide a signed and sealed structural verification letter for roof framing. Revised plans require a response letter addressing each comment, with all changes clouded and marked with a revision number. Electrical requirements include a signed and sealed Engineer Letter of Compliance for interconnections at combo-meter busbars and specific grounding documentation for intersystem bonding. Fire safety mandates include 36-inch access pathways and ridge setbacks per NFPA 1. Additionally, installers must maintain a 5 ft setback from new electrical equipment to the property line and adhere to specific rail cantilever limits and roof edge distance requirements.

• [submittal_format] Include a response letter addressing each comment, cloud all changes on revised plans, and mark them with a revision number from the previous submittal.
• [documentation] Provide complete Florida Product Approval (FL#) or Notice of Acceptance (NOA) documentation for all mounting components, and list the approval numbers directly on the anchorage details.
• [structural] Design for a wind speed of 175 mph, Exposure Category C, Risk Category II per FBC 2023 and ASCE 7-22.
• [structural] Indicate the maximum clear vertical distance (H/2) between the roof surface and PV modules on anchorage details per ASCE 7-22 Section 29.4.4.
• [structural] Maintain and verify a minimum edge distance of 2xH2 (or minimum 10 inches) from the roof edge or ridge per ASCE 7-22 Section 29.4.4.
• [structural] Identify 'exposed' PV modules (e.g., beyond H/2 from ridge) and provide specific wind pressure values for both exposed and non-exposed panels per FBC 1616.1.1 & 1616.1.2.
• [structural] Provide a signed and sealed structural verification letter certifying the roof framing can accommodate PV system gravity and wind loads per FBC 2023 1607.13.4.
• [submittal_format] Provide submittal documents as separate files rather than a single combined PDF.
• [documentation] Provide original manufacturer cut sheets and span tables documenting the solar panel wind pressure load capacity.
• [structural] Limit maximum rail cantilever length per FBC 107.2.1 (e.g., maximum 16 inches, or L/3 such as 8 inches for a 24-inch span).
• [structural] Provide a detailed array offset table and show dimensions (Top, Right, Bottom, Left) directly on the layout specifying the distance from each panel side to the roof edge.
• [electrical] Provide a signed and sealed Engineer Letter of Compliance with fault-current and busbar load calculations for interconnections at combo-meter busbars per NEC 705.12(B)(3)(5).
• [electrical] Base maximum system voltage calculations on a minimum design temperature of -2°C and PV source conductor sizing on a 35°C ambient temperature.
• [electrical] Riser diagram must specify if service entrance conductors and raceways are new or existing, overhead or underground, and show all conduit sizes, materials, and conductor specs.
• [fire] Provide 36-inch fire access pathways and ridge setbacks of 18 or 36 inches (if array exceeds 33% of roof area) per NFPA 1 11.12.3.2.
• Maintain a minimum 5 ft setback from all new electrical equipment to the property line per the Miami21 code.
• [electrical] Grounding system documentation must explicitly include the intersystem bonding system (NEC 250.94) and bonding for cold water pipes and gas lines (NEC 250.104).