Sheridan, CO

Sheridan, Colorado earned SolSmart Bronze designation in 2024 by posting critical solar information for free on their solar landing page, reducing solar permitting times and costs, reviewing the city’s zoning for unintentional barriers to solar PV development, and more. In 2025, the community level up to SolSmart Silver designation by training key staff in solar best practices, reducing permitting turnaround times, and more!

• 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.
• Posted online resources about residential and commercial solar PV financing options and incentives.
• Posted online resources about consumer protection and solar PV.
• Posted an online summary of state policies related to a property owner’s solar access and solar rights, including links to state-level policy.
• Posted an online summary of state policies related to Homeowner Associations (HOAs) ability to regulate and/or restrict solar PV, including links to state-level policy.
• Posted online resources about solar installers and/or solar quote platforms for solar PV.
• Posted an online solar map for the community.
• Posted an online dashboard or summary of solar PV metrics for your community, including total installed solar PV capacity, solar PV + storage installations, and community solar and/or solarize subscribers.
• Trained permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.
• Trained inspection staff on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.
• Posted an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of the community’s permitting process for residential rooftop solar PV.
• Provided an online process for solar PV permit submission and approval.
• Demonstrated that residential permit fees for solar PV are $500 or less.
• Posted solar PV inspection requirements online, including the inspection process and what details inspectors will review.
• Offered inspection appointment times in lieu of appointment windows for solar PV.
• Posted an online statement confirming a three-business day turnaround time for residential rooftop solar PV.
• Posted an online document from the Planning/Zoning Department that states accessory use solar PV is allowed by-right in all major zones. (e.g. via a zoning determination letter).
• Reviewed zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development.
• Trained planning and zoning staff on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV.
• Included specific solar PV goals, metrics, and strategies in the most current published version of relevant local plans (e.g., energy plan, comprehensive plan).