Solar Sanity Checksolar, decoded Independent. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

County of Klamath (OR)

Oregon Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements
NEC Code Version2023
Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Structural
Fire Setback Enforced1

Codes

NEC Code Version
2023
Code List

2021 OREGON RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CODE

2019 OREGON STRUCTURAL SPECIALTY CODE

2019 OREGON MECHANICAL SPECIALTY CODE

2021 OREGON PLUMBING SPECIALTY CODE

2023 OREGON ELECTRICAL SPECIALTY CODE

2025 OREGON ENERGY EFFICIENCY SPECIALTY CODE

2019 OREGON ZERO ENERGY READY COMMERCIAL CODE

2019 OREGON FIRE CODE

2010 OREGON MANUFACTURED DWELLING INSTALLATION SPECIALTY CODE

IEBC Accepted
1
ASCE Code Specification
ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

Revision Required
0
Rough Inspection
None
New Planset Required For Module Swap
0

Stamps

Ee Stamp Required On SLD
No
Wet Stamps Required
Digital Structural
Structural Calculations Required
Yes
Stamp Location On Plans
Unspecified
Date On Stamps
Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced
1
Setback Notes

Klamath requires 2018 Oregon fire setback codes:

  • Solar panel systems must have a 36-inch-wide clear pathway on three sides of the solar roof.
  • Pathways cannot be located along the bottom edge of roofs with a slope steeper than 2:12.
  • All required pathways must be over structurally supported areas (from the load-bearing wall inward) and measured from the roof edge or ridge to the solar array.

Exceptions:

  1. Small solar systems (≤1,000 sq ft) on sloped roofs (over 2:12):
  • If the solar array covers 25% or less of the total roof area: provide a 12-inch clear pathway along both sides of the ridge.
  • If the solar array covers more than 25%: provide a 36-inch ridge-to-eave path plus the 12-inch ridge-side paths.
  1. Non-occupied accessory structures don’t need pathways if they are at least 6 feet away from occupied structures or separated by a 2-hour fire-rated wall.
  2. Townhouses with proper fire separation can be treated as a single structure and follow the same small solar system exception rules.

Structural & loads

Wind Speed
100
Wind Notes

Wind speed is 98 MPH

Snow Load
20
Snow Load Notes

20 lbs Roof snow load non reducible.

Reducible Snow Load Allowed
1
Max Attachment Spacing
48
Structural Notes

View the requirements for the prescriptive path in the plan notes below. If all requirements are met, engineering is not required.

Minimum Ground On Roof
#10

Electrical

Electrical Load Calcs Required
Derates
Allowed POI
PV Breaker,Line Side Taps,Load Side Taps,Meter Adapter
Panel Schedule Required
Partial Home Backup
Temperature Rating
90
De Rating Ampacity
0.91

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed
0
ESS Notes

Standard

Separate ESS Disconnect Required
ESS Disconnect
ESS Elevation Detail Required
No

Plan set

Attachment Detail

Roof mounted installations on Risk Category I or Risk Category II on structures of conventional light-frame construction that comply with this section shall qualify as prescriptive and shall not require an engineered design if all of the following criteria are met: 

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#conventional_light-frame_construction)


1. The ground snow load does not exceed 50 psf, wind speeds do not exceed 120 mph for Exposure Category C or 135 mph for Exposure Category B with pre-engineered trusses or rafters spaced at 24 inches (610 mm) on center maximum. 


Existing rafter spans shall comply with Section 2308.7.2 (https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/23/wood#2308.7.2). 

Where the existing grade and species cannot be verified, it is assumed to be #2 staff-Larch

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#grade_lumber) 


**EXCEPTION** 

PV installed on roofs of detached one and two family dwellings and occupancies where the existing supporting roof framing is conventional light-frame construction with pre-engineered trusses or rafters spaced at 24 inches (610 mm) on center maximum, the ground snow load does not exceed 70 psf, and the site is limited to wind Exposure Category B or C.

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#dwelling)_ and _[townhouses]

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#townhouse)_ classified as Group R-3 (https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/3/occupancy-classification-and-use#310.4) and [Group U]

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/3/occupancy-classification-and-use#312)


Existing rafter spans shall comply with Section R802.5

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/irc-2018/chapter/8/roof-ceiling-construction#R802.5) of the _Residential Code_.



2. Roofing material shall be metal, single-layer wood shingle or shake, or not more than two layers of composition shingle. 



3. The combined weight of the photovoltaic modules shall not exceed 4.5 pounds per square foot (2.0412 kPa).


Photovoltaic modules shall be directly attached to the roof framing or blocking. 


Attachments must be spaced not greater than 48 inches (1219 mm) on center in any direction.

UNLESS

1. 3.1. Ground snow loads exceed 36 psf (1.197 kN/m2). 

2. 3.2. Located within 3 feet (914 mm) of a roof edge, hip, eave or ridge.

3. 3.3. Located in wind Exposure Category B or greater and the wind speed exceeds 120 mph. 

4. 3.4. Located in wind Exposure Category C or greater and the wind speed exceeds 110 mph. 

THEN

Attachments shall be spaced not greater than 24 inches (609.6 mm) on center in any direction where:


**Exception**

Photovoltaic modules may be attached directly to standing seam metal using clamps and roofing materials that meet the following criteria: 


1. The allowable uplift capacity of clamps shall be not less than 115 pounds for clamps spaced at 60 inches (1525 mm) on center or less as measured along the seam or not less than 75 pounds for clamps spaced at less than 48 inches (1219 mm) on center. 


2. Clamp spacing perpendicular to seams shall not exceed 24 inches (610 mm). Spacing of clamps along a seam shall not exceed 60 inches (1525 mm). 


3. Roofing panels shall comply with all of the following: 

1. 3.1. Shall be a minimum of 26 gage steel, 

2. 3.2. Shall be a maximum of 18 inches (457 mm) in width, 

3. 3.3. Shall be attached with a minimum of #10 screws at 24 inches (610 mm) on center, 

4. 3.4. Shall be installed over minimum 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) attached to framing with 8d nails at 6 inches (153 mm) on center at roof panel edges and 12 inches (305 mm) on center field nailing

(https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#nominal) wood structural panels (https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#wood_structural_panel) (https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#panel_part_of_a_structure) (https://up.codes/viewer/oregon/ibc-2018/chapter/2/definitions#nailing_field). 


4. **Height** : Module height above roof shall not exceed 18 inches (457 mm) from the top of the module to the roof surface and shall be in accordance with Figures 3111.3.5.3(1) and 3111.3.5.3(2).

Custom Placards Required
0

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required
No
Ground Mount Notes

Setbacks are determined by the zoning for the property and the height of the structure. If the array will be less than 14’ high the rear and side setbacks can be no less than 5’, if the array is taller standard setbacks will apply. See Document "Ground Mount Heights and Setbacks" in the files section See Document "Ground Mount Site Plan Example" in the files section Setback info: Jenny MacKrell is the Permit Tech in the On-Site/Septic Department. She can be reached via email, or by

Compiled from public records, 2026. Requirements change with code cycles and local amendments. Verify with the County of Klamath (OR) building department before you rely on this, and treat it as a research head start, not a ruling. Getting quotes? Run them through the quote checker first.