The Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist is the application checklist and required documents list that the City of Dallas Development Services Department prints for a solar water heater or other photovoltaic system. It is one of the Dallas permit documents an applicant completes before plan review, with separate requirement lists for residential and commercial installations. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the checklist itself is published by the City of Dallas at the official link on this page.
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What is Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist – Dallas, TX?
The Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist is a two-page City of Dallas Development Services Department form, printed as "Solar Water Heater or Other Photovoltaic System Application Checklist and Required Documents," on which an applicant confirms that each required item has been supplied with the permit application.
By checking each requirement, the applicant states that the information supplied is correct and complete. If required information is missing from the submitted documents, the department notifies the applicant of the deficiency.
The checklist has four parts:
- General Requirements: type of application (residential or commercial), engineer-sealed plans, the permits required, zoning checks and other restrictions.
- Residential Application Requirements: items 1 to 12, from the purpose of the system to battery storage.
- Commercial Application Requirements: items 1 to 9, including building code information and fully dimensioned plans.
- Acknowledgement: a printed name, signature and date.
The form says that a building permit and an electrical permit apply to flush-mounted or tilt-up photovoltaic systems, and that building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits apply to solar water heater systems; separate applications are not required. It is a checklist of documents, not the permit itself. The revision date printed on it is 5/10/2024.
Who needs to file Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist – Dallas, TX?
Anyone applying to the City of Dallas for a permit to install a solar panel water heater or a photovoltaic system completes this checklist. The form separates two groups:
- Residential applicants complete the General Requirements and the Residential Application Requirements.
- Commercial applicants complete the General Requirements and the Commercial Application Requirements.
The applicant states whether the system is for general electric power, for hot water, or both. The applicant must also have verified that the installation complies with any Zoning, Planned Development Districts and Conservation Districts, subject to plan review, and agrees to comply with restrictions the City may not enforce, such as private deed restrictions.
The plans must be reviewed or designed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer to comply with Section R301.1.3 of the Dallas Residential Code or Chapter 16 of the Dallas Building Code. The form names no representative or agent; the person who signs the Acknowledgement states that all required documents have been provided.
When to file Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist – Dallas, TX
Complete the checklist when you apply for plan review of a solar water heater or photovoltaic installation, because it accompanies the permit application and the construction documents. The form prints no separate deadline or validity period.
Timing matters when documents are missing. The form warns that failure to supply requested information may result in the application being delayed, denied and eventually discarded. A resubmittal then requires a new application, complete plans and a new checklist, and it is treated as a new application processed in the order received. Check every item before you apply, since staff cannot accept incomplete applications or illegible construction documents.
Documents you need
- Two sets of all construction documents and plans for the installation, reviewed or designed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer to comply with Section R301.1.3 of the Dallas Residential Code or Chapter 16 of the Dallas Building Code.
- Completed permit application(s) and the supplemental information sheet, if required; separate applications are not required for the permits listed on the form.
- Two copies of the equipment manufacturer's installation instructions (residential); for commercial, two copies of the manufacturer's specifications and installation instructions.
- Three-line electrical diagram complete with calculations.
- Residential: a roof plan showing the existing condition and the location of the proposed equipment.
- Residential: building elevations showing the total building height with the proposed equipment.
- Engineered construction documents or sealed assembly/installation plans of the solar panel or photovoltaic system.
- Residential: engineered documents for the connection to the building structure, including framing plans, connection details and any structural calculations or load diagrams.
- Commercial: two sets of fully dimensioned, legible plans drawn to scale, including a detailed site plan with property lines, easements, north arrow and existing structures.
- Commercial: a roof plan showing existing mechanical and plumbing venting and intakes and the location of proposed equipment, plus building elevations showing total height.
- Commercial: building code information, where applicable: occupancy group, number of stories, construction type and fire sprinkler systems (fully sprinklered buildings only).
- Total kWh of storage, if the system includes a battery/energy storage system.
How to fill out Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist – Dallas, TX
Select residential or commercial
Under General Requirements, item 1, check Residential or Commercial as the type of application. Then complete only the matching requirements section.
Confirm engineer-sealed plans
Item 2: check the box once two sets of construction documents have been reviewed or designed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer under Section R301.1.3 of the Dallas Residential Code or Chapter 16 of the Dallas Building Code.
Choose the permits required
Item 3: select the building and electrical permit line for flush-mounted or tilt-up photovoltaic systems, or the building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing line for solar water heater systems.
Verify zoning and other restrictions
Items 4 and 5: check that you have verified compliance with Zoning, Planned Development Districts and Conservation Districts, and that you will comply with restrictions such as private deed restrictions.
Complete the residential requirements
For residential, mark the application purpose (General electric power, Provide hot water or Both), enter the number and location of solar panels, and check each document listed in items 2 to 4 and 7 to 11.
Complete the commercial requirements
For commercial, mark the purpose, enter the building code information (occupancy group, number of stories, construction type, fire sprinklers), the number and location of solar panels, and check the plans listed under item 8.
Answer the battery storage question
Residential item 12 or commercial item 9: mark Yes or No for a battery/energy storage system and, if Yes, enter the total kWh of storage.
Check sheet and text size
Make sure every document meets the Notes: minimum text size of 3/32", minimum sheet size of 11" x 17" and maximum sheet size of 36" x 48" ("E" size).
Print your name, sign and date
In the Acknowledgement, print your name after "I,", then sign and date to state that you have read the information and provided all required documents.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every box and entry against your plans, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble it with the permit application as described under How to submit.
How to submit Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist – Dallas, TX
The checklist names no online portal, email address or mailing address. It is part of the permit application package that goes to the City of Dallas Development Services Department, which prints this contact information on the form:
- Address: 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203.
- Phone: (214) 948-4480.
Contact the department to confirm how it accepts the application. Staff cannot accept incomplete applications or illegible construction documents, so attach the checklist to the completed permit application(s), the supplemental information sheet if required, and the plans listed on the form. Drawings must use sheets from 11" x 17" up to 36" x 48" ("E" size) with text at least 3/32". FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the department's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting an incomplete application or illegible construction documents; the form says staff cannot accept either.
- Checking a requirement without supplying the document; the checkmark states that the information supplied is correct and complete.
- Resubmitting after a denial without a new application, complete plans and a new checklist; a resubmittal is treated as a new application.
- Using drawing sheets smaller than 11" x 17" or larger than 36" x 48" ("E" size), or text smaller than 3/32".
- Sending plans that are not reviewed or designed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer.
- Omitting the calculations from the three-line electrical diagram.
- Showing elevations without the total building height including the proposed equipment.
- Leaving the battery/energy storage question unanswered, or giving no total kWh of storage when the answer is Yes.
- Checking the fire sprinkler systems box for a building that is not fully sprinklered.
- Signing the Acknowledgement without printing your name and the date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Solar & Photovoltaic Hot Water System Checklist?
It is the City of Dallas Development Services Department's application checklist and required documents list for a solar water heater or other photovoltaic system. You check each item to state that you supplied correct and complete information with your permit application.
Which permits does a solar installation in Dallas need?
Per the form, flush-mounted or tilt-up photovoltaic systems need a building permit and an electrical permit. Solar water heater systems need building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits. In both cases, separate applications are not required.
Do I need an engineer for a Dallas solar permit application?
Yes. The checklist requires two sets of construction documents and plans reviewed or designed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer to comply with Section R301.1.3 of the Dallas Residential Code or Chapter 16 of the Dallas Building Code.
What happens if my solar permit application is incomplete?
Staff cannot accept incomplete applications or illegible construction documents. The form warns the application may be delayed, denied and eventually discarded, and a resubmittal needs a new application, complete plans and a new checklist, treated as a new application.
What size must the drawings be?
Documents must have text at least 3/32" high. Drawing sheets must be at least 11" x 17" and no larger than 36" x 48", "E" size. The Building Official may also require additional information before issuing the permit.
Is there a different list for commercial solar systems?
Yes. The commercial section has nine items, including building code information (occupancy group, number of stories, construction type, fire sprinklers), a detailed site plan and two sets of fully dimensioned plans drawn to scale.
Where do I send the solar water heater checklist?
The form prints no portal or mailing address of its own. It lists the Development Services Department at 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, phone (214) 948-4480; call to confirm how the department accepts the permit application and checklist.
Can I fill out this checklist online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the checklist online on FillingPDF and download or print the PDF. FillingPDF is an independent service, not the City of Dallas, and it does not submit your application; you deliver it through the department's channels.
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