Pierce County

Pierce County, Washington earned SolSmart Silver designation by enacting numerous initiatives that improved solar access for residents. That includes installing solar PV on a brownfield property, ensuring zoning rules do not unnecessarily prevent solar installations, increasing public access to information about solar, and more!

• Posted online resources about consumer protection and solar PV
• Posted online resources about residential and commercial solar PV financing options and incentives
• Posted online resources about solar installers and/or solar quote platforms for solar PV
• Posted an online solar map for your community
• Posted a solar landing page on local government’s website with information that may include the community’s solar goals, educational materials and tools that promote solar
• Supported a solar informational session and/or solar tour explaining solar PV opportunities and policies
• Conducted feasibility analysis for solar PV on local government facilities and/or local government-controlled land
• Installed solar PV on local government-controlled brownfields and/or under-utilized properties
• Installed solar PV on local government facilities and/or local government-controlled land
• Supported a community solar program
• Provided a PACE financing program that includes solar PV as an eligible technology
• Posted an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of your community’s permitting process for residential rooftop solar PV
• Trained permitting staff on best practices for permitting & inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Ensured the zoning ordinance permits small ground-mounted solar PV as an accessory use in at least one zoning district
• Ensured the zoning ordinance exempts small ground-mounted solar PV from certain restrictions on accessory uses (e.g. setbacks, coverage or impervious surface calculations, or other restrictions)
• Ensured the zoning ordinance establishes a clear regulatory pathway for large-scale solar PV (e.g. through a special use permit or through inclusion among allowed conditional uses)
• Included specific solar PV goals, metrics, and strategies in the most current published version of relevant local plans (e.g., energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan)
• Reviewed zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development. Compile findings in a memo
• Ensured the zoning ordinance language does not include intentional or unintentional barriers to accessory use rooftop solar PV