§ 1–1320
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 1-1320 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 13. Miscellaneous
§ 1–1320LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Administration” means the Maryland Energy Administration.
(3)
“Residential energy storage system” means a system, on a residential customer’s side of the meter, used to store electrical energy, or mechanical, chemical, or thermal energy that was once electrical energy, for use as electrical energy at a later date or in a process that offsets electricity use at peak times.
(4)
“Residential solar energy system” means any configuration of solar energy devices that collects and distributes solar energy for the purpose of generating electricity and that has a single residential interconnection with the electrical grid.
(5)
“Restriction on use” has the meaning stated in § 2–126 of the Real Property Article.
(6)
“Solar permitting fee” means a fee equal to the sum of all charges imposed by a county or municipality, including charges imposed by a provider of solar permitting software, in connection with an application for a residential solar energy system.
(7)
“Solar permitting software” means software or a combination of software that:
(i)
automates plan review for residential solar energy systems to the most recent version of, as applicable:
(1)
the Maryland Building Performance Standards;
(2)
the National Electrical Code, including legally adopted local amendments; and
(3)
locally adopted building codes;
(ii)
produces code–compliant approvals;
(iii)
issues a code–compliant permit;
(iv)
accepts online payments for any permitting fees imposed;
(v)
issues permits or permit revisions immediately on receipt of online submission of permitting fee payments, if applicable;
(vi)
is capable of processing a majority of residential solar energy system applications; and
(vii)
when a permit is issued, immediately notifies a county or municipality, as applicable, of the issuance of the permit and allows access to approved application materials.
(b)
(1)
This section applies to all counties and municipalities.
(2)
This section does not apply to a restriction on use on:
(i)
historic property that is listed in or determined by the Director of the Maryland Historical Trust to be eligible for inclusion in the Maryland Register of Historic Properties; or
(ii)
property located within a district designated by the applicable local jurisdiction to be of historic significance in accordance with § 8–105 of the Land Use Article.
(c)
(1)
Subject to subsection (d) of this section and except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, on or before August 1, 2027, each county and municipality shall implement solar permitting software for features supporting the application submission, tracking, and approval of residential building permits for:
(i)
residential solar energy systems;
(ii)
residential energy storage systems;
(iii)
main electrical panel upgrades; and
(iv)
main electrical panel derates.
(2)
A county or municipality shall:
(i)
complete a remote or in–person inspection required for a project permitted by solar permitting software within an average of 5 business days after receiving a properly completed request for inspection; and
(ii)
make publicly available annual data for the average inspection time for projects permitted by solar permitting software.
(3)
Review of a permit application to install a residential solar energy generating system that is submitted using solar permitting software shall be limited to a determination whether the application meets all health and safety requirements under State and local law.
(4)
A county or municipality shall complete any manual review of a software–approved permit within 5 business days after the permit is approved.
(5)
(i)
This paragraph applies only to a residential solar energy system:
(1)
that is or will be installed on a residential rooftop; and
(2)
with a generating capacity of less than 20 kilowatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter.
(ii)
Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, beginning August 1, 2027, a county or municipality may not set a permitting fee for permits issued by solar permitting software that exceeds $500 for residential solar energy systems.
(iii)
A third–party payment processing charge may be assessed for permits issued by solar permitting software in addition to the maximum permitting fee under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.
(6)
An inspector may review construction documents that are produced by the solar permitting software.
(d)
A county or municipality may not be required to comply with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section if:
(1)
the county or municipality does not require a permit for:
(i)
residential solar energy systems; or
(ii)
residential solar energy systems paired with a residential solar energy storage system; or
(2)
as determined by the Administration, the automated software is no longer updated or maintained.
(e)
The Administration shall delay the initial implementation or suspend the requirements of subsection (c) of this section if there are insufficient State or federal funds available to the Administration to provide financial support to a county or municipality implementing solar permitting software.
(f)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an electric company, other than a municipal electric utility or a third–party contractor for the electric company, shall perform any meter disconnection and reconnection necessary for the interconnection of a residential solar energy system or residential energy storage system within 5 business days after receiving a properly completed request from the owner or installer of the system.
(2)
An electric company may authorize qualified personnel who are not associated with the electric company to perform any meter disconnection and reconnection necessary for the interconnection of a residential solar energy system or a residential energy storage system.
(3)
This subsection may not be construed to alter requirements for small generator facility interconnection standards established by the Public Service Commission.
(g)
The Attorney General may seek judicial enforcement against a county or municipality that fails to comply with this section.