Permitting and interconnection in Gaithersburg
| Permit issued (median) | 8 business days (2018) |
|---|---|
| Inspection scheduled (median) | 10 business days (2024) |
| Utility approval before install (median) | 6 business days (2018) |
| Final interconnection to PTO (median) | 11 business days (2018) |
| Median residential permit cost | $289 |
| Online submission | Online portal or email |
| Instant permitting | Not available |
| Same-day, over-the-counter permits | Not available |
| Structural review, systems under 10 kW | Required |
| Electrical review, systems under 10 kW | Required |
| Rough-in inspection | Not required |
SolarAPP+ in Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg issues residential solar permits instantly through SolarAPP+. Covered: PV, PV + storage. Not covered: Main panel upgrade, Main breaker derate — those go through standard plan review.
Ballast lays out the SolarAPP+ application data in the order the form asks, so the submission is a copy-through rather than a re-type. How SolarAPP+ works.
A Gaithersburg plan set from Ballast
Enter the address and Ballast finds the jurisdiction and the utility, pulls the aerial and parcel line, and builds the set on ANSI B: cover, site plan, roof or array plan, attachment details, line diagrams, NEC calculations, labels and spec sheets.
- Checks run under the code edition Gaithersburg has adopted, each with the article cited.
- Any correction Gaithersburg sends back becomes a rule for the jurisdiction, so the next set already answers it.
- The Solar Agent follows the permit through to approval, then moves the job on to interconnection and install.
Questions
How long does a solar permit take in Gaithersburg, MD?
The median time to issue a residential solar permit in Gaithersburg was 8 business days in 2018, according to NREL SolarTRACE.
How much does a solar permit cost in Gaithersburg?
The median residential solar permit cost in Gaithersburg is $289 (NREL SolarTRACE). Confirm the current fee schedule with the jurisdiction.
Source: SolarTRACE, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 2025-09-09 release. Times are medians for residential solar in the year shown. Requirements change — confirm current rules, fees and forms with the jurisdiction before you submit.