Solar Answers → Your Home & Roof
How Do You Get a Solar Permit in Aurora, Illinois?
Aurora, Illinois requires a city solar permit from the Division of Building and Permits before installation. The fee is based on your project's valuation, and Aurora uniquely requires a third-party inspection report before final approval. Solar is allowed by-right in every zoning district. You'll also file a separate ComEd interconnection application for net metering.
Independent public sources we cite and link — The Day Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Who issues solar permits in Aurora?
The City of Aurora's Development Services Department, Division of Building and Permits, issues solar permits — for both rooftop and ground-mounted systems, residential and commercial, on a single application. Apply through the city's eTrakit online portal, where you can also schedule inspections and check results.
Division of Building and Permits — 77 S. Broadway, 1st Floor, Aurora, IL 60505 · (630) 256-3130 · M–F 8am–5pm. Submittal email: [email protected] (revisions: [email protected]).
How much does an Aurora solar permit cost?
Aurora prices permits by project valuation, not a flat solar fee. A Permit Inspection Fee (PIF) of 1.75% (single-trade) or 2.5% (multi-trade — the more common classification for solar, since it typically touches both structural and electrical work) applies to your total cost of work, plus a Plan Review Fee equal to 15% of the PIF, plus a flat $23 Certificate of Completion.
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| Fee component | How it's calculated | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Inspection Fee (PIF) | Valuation × 1.75% (single-trade) or × 2.5% (multi-trade) | Minimum $31; rounded up |
| Plan Review Fee (PRF) | PIF × 15% | Minimum $77 single-trade / $56 multi-trade |
| Certificate of Completion | $23 flat | — |
| Application fee (deposit) | $56 (1-trade) or $77 (2-trade) | Credited toward your total; non-refundable |
| Third-party inspection report | Set by your contractor | Private cost, not set by the city |
| ComEd Level 1 interconnection | $50 application fee | Total capped at $200 under Illinois rule |
Estimate your Aurora solar permit fee
Enter your project's total cost of work — the same number your contractor uses for the permit application.
Solar involving both structural and electrical work is commonly multi-trade — Aurora makes the final classification, so confirm with the city.
Estimate only — Aurora determines the final valuation and fee classification. Confirm with the Division of Building and Permits (630-256-3130). Does not include your ComEd interconnection cost or the required third-party inspection report.
What is Aurora's third-party inspection requirement?
Aurora requires a Third-Party Inspection Report of the completed installation, delivered before the city's final inspection approval — a step most Illinois cities don't impose. The report must be prepared by either an Illinois-licensed design professional (architect or structural engineer) or an independent certified solar inspection company, and must cover all structural and electrical components. Your contractor arranges it, and it's billed separately from your city permit fee — Aurora doesn't publish a set price, so confirm the cost with your installer.
What documents do you need to apply?
Aurora's fillable solar application asks for a complete package upfront, not just a form:
- Completed application, with construction drawings stamped/signed (wet or digital) by a licensed design professional for both electrical and structural scope
- One-line electrical diagram
- Roof plan with dimensions — panel and equipment layout, clearances, roof and supporting-wall construction
- NEC compliance details (interrupting rating, disconnect type, grounding, manufacturer labeling)
- Building elevations showing fire-access points
- Equipment cut sheets and racking/attachment specifications
- An analysis of the existing roof — age, materials, structural loading
General and electrical contractors must be licensed and registered with the City of Aurora before the permit is issued (not required at submittal). Structural plans and calculations may be required depending on your system's scale and roof loading.
How long does the Aurora permit take?
Aurora's own plan review is short — typically about 5–6 business days once a complete application is submitted. Total time from application to permission-to-operate depends far more on your contractor's scheduling and ComEd's interconnection queue than on the city's review, so treat any longer total-project estimate as reflecting the whole process, not Aurora's desk.
Do Aurora zoning or historic rules affect solar?
Solar is a by-right accessory use in every Aurora zoning district, approved administratively — no special-use hearing required for a standard residential system. Ground-mounted systems follow a default clearance standard (8 feet, though variances have been granted), plus quantity, height, and location rules. Building-mounted systems have their own placement and height rules, and façade-mounted panels are expressly allowed.
Two exceptions worth knowing: if your home is a designated local landmark or sits in a locally designated historic district, you'll need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Aurora Preservation Commission before installing panels visible from the street — a separate step from the building permit. And if you're in an HOA, Illinois law (765 ILCS 165) bars associations from banning solar outright, though they may set placement conditions that don't cut your system's estimated production by more than 10%.
How does ComEd interconnection work in Aurora?
All of Aurora is ComEd territory for delivery and interconnection — the city's own municipal electricity aggregation program affects your supply rate only, not who you interconnect with. Most residential rooftop systems qualify for Level 1 interconnection: a $50 application fee, with your total interconnection cost capped at $200 under Illinois rule. You'll file a separate net metering application, and your system can't legally operate until ComEd countersigns your Certificate of Completion.
Your installer also needs to be ICC-certified as a Distributed Generation Installer. For how to confirm that (and how to verify any Illinois solar company more broadly), see our guide to verifying an Illinois Shines Approved Vendor.
How is Aurora different from Chicago?
Both cities require their own city permit on top of state and utility steps, but the mechanics differ. Chicago prices and fast-tracks by system size, with an express-permit cliff at 13.44 kW. Aurora prices by project valuation with no size-based fast track, and adds a third-party inspection report Chicago doesn't require. If you're comparing the two, see our Chicago solar permits guide.
Aurora Solar Permits FAQ
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Aurora, IL?
Yes. A city solar permit from the Division of Building and Permits is required before any rooftop or ground-mounted installation.
How much does a solar permit cost in Aurora?
It's based on your project's valuation — roughly 1.75%–2.5% of your total cost of work for the Permit Inspection Fee, plus a 15% Plan Review Fee and a $23 certificate. Use the calculator above for your own number.
What is Aurora's third-party inspection requirement?
A completed-installation report from an Illinois-licensed design professional or a certified solar inspection company, covering structural and electrical work, required before the city's final approval. It's a separate, contractor-arranged cost.
How long does it take to get a solar permit in Aurora?
Aurora's own plan review typically runs about 5–6 business days. Total project timeline depends more on your contractor and ComEd's interconnection process than on the city.
Do I need special zoning approval for solar in Aurora?
No. Solar is a by-right accessory use in every zoning district, approved administratively — no public hearing required for a standard residential system.
What if my house is in a historic district?
You'll need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Aurora Preservation Commission before installing panels visible from the street, in addition to your building permit.
Can my HOA block solar panels in Aurora?
No — Illinois law (765 ILCS 165) prohibits HOAs from banning solar outright, though they can set reasonable placement conditions that don't reduce your system's estimated production by more than 10%.
Is Aurora served by ComEd?
Yes — all of Aurora is ComEd territory for delivery and interconnection. The city's electricity aggregation program only affects your supply rate, not interconnection.
Do I need a separate ComEd application?
Yes. The city permit and ComEd's interconnection/net-metering application are separate processes. Most residential systems qualify for Level 1 interconnection, capped at $200 total.
Does my installer need to be certified?
Yes — Illinois requires ICC Distributed Generation Installer certification, and contractors must be licensed and registered with the City of Aurora. See our guide to verifying an Illinois solar installer.
Can I self-install solar in Aurora?
Self-installers are exempt from ICC DG certification but still need the city permit, the required documentation, and the third-party inspection report.
How is Aurora's process different from Chicago's?
Aurora prices by project valuation with no size-based fast track and requires a third-party inspection report; Chicago prices and fast-tracks by system size with a 13.44 kW express-permit cliff and no equivalent third-party inspection step.
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Sources
- City of Aurora — Solar In Aurora
- City of Aurora — Solar Permit Application
- City of Aurora — 2026 Building Permit Fee Schedule
- Illinois Commerce Commission — Distributed Generation Installer Certification
- Illinois Commerce Commission — 83 Ill. Adm. Code 466, Level 1 Interconnection
- Illinois Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act, 765 ILCS 165 (ilga.gov)
Changelog: August 6, 2026 — v1 published.
How to cite: The Day Company Editorial Team, "How Do You Get a Solar Permit in Aurora, Illinois?," The Day Company, updated August 6, 2026. https://theday.company/answers/aurora-solar-permits