Research by Ivan Tchesnokov
Florida DBPR License Required
Florida DBPR state license or Broward County Certificate of Competency required. Verify at myfloridalicense.com/DBPR.
HVHZ — Broward County High Velocity Hurricane Zone
ALL roofing, windows, doors, and exterior products must have Florida Product Approval (NOA or FPA) for HVHZ 170+ mph wind. Permit fees DOUBLE for unpermitted work.
The Short Answer
Yes — solar installations in Davie require building and electrical permits. FPL net metering remains favorable for Florida solar.
Apply through OAS portal or in-person at 8800 SW 36 Street, Building A. Phone: (954) 797-1111. Florida Building Code + HVHZ provisions govern. HVHZ: solar racking must have Florida Product Approval for 170+ mph wind. FPL net metering at retail rate. Florida Sales Tax Exemption + Property Tax Exemption. ~5,200–5,400 kWh/kW. NOC required.
Davie solar permit rules — HVHZ racking and FPL net metering
Solar PV installations in Davie require a building permit (racking/structural) and an electrical permit (inverter interconnection), both through the OAS portal or in-person at 8800 SW 36 Street, Building A. Phone: (954) 797-1111. Florida Building Code + HVHZ provisions govern. Florida DBPR-licensed contractors hold permits. After city inspections, the solar installer submits FPL's net metering application. NOC required for work over $2,500.
HVHZ solar racking is a critical design requirement in Davie. Solar panel racking systems must have Florida Product Approval for HVHZ 170+ mph wind loads. This is more demanding than racking requirements in any other state in this guide. Improperly attached solar panels can become deadly projectiles in major hurricanes. Florida DBPR-licensed solar installers experienced in HVHZ installations provide appropriately engineered and product-approved racking systems. Verify that your solar installer's racking has Florida HVHZ Product Approval before signing a contract.
FPL's net metering program credits exported solar power at the retail electricity rate — Florida law requires this more favorable compensation than California's NEM 3.0. Davie's ~5,200–5,400 kWh/kW annual solar production (excellent South Florida irradiance) combined with FPL retail-rate net metering makes solar economically compelling. Florida Sales Tax Exemption (100% on solar equipment and installation) and Florida Property Tax Exemption (solar added value exempt from property tax) are available to Davie homeowners.
Know your Davie FL permit requirements before starting.
Your scope and Davie address. HVHZ product approvals, NOA/FPA verification, and FPL utility.
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Scenario A
7 kW solar installation on a Davie home
OAS portal: building permit + electrical permit. NOC recorded for Broward County. Florida DBPR licensed solar installer. HVHZ Product Approval racking system. City inspections pass. FPL net metering application (retail rate). Florida Sales Tax Exemption on equipment + installation. Florida Property Tax Exemption. A 7 kW system in Davie: $19,000–$26,000 before incentives. Federal ITC applicable. Contact (954) 797-1111 for current permit fee.
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| Variable | How it affects your Davie solar permit |
|---|
| HVHZ solar racking | Racking must have Florida Product Approval for HVHZ 170+ mph winds. More demanding than any other market. Verify installer's racking has HVHZ FPA. |
| FPL net metering (retail rate) | Florida law requires retail-rate net metering credits. Much more favorable than CA NEM 3.0. Size system to match consumption for maximum offset. |
| Florida Sales Tax Exemption | 100% sales tax exemption on solar equipment and installation. Significant saving. |
| Florida Property Tax Exemption | Solar added value exempt from Broward County property tax. |
| ~5,200–5,400 kWh/kW production | Excellent South Florida solar irradiance. One of the top production markets in this guide. |
Davie’s HVHZ product approvals, FPL net metering, and Florida statewide codes define this Broward County market.
Your scope and Davie address. OAS portal and Florida DBPR licensing.
Get my Filing Kit →$14.99 · Based on official city sources
What solar costs in Davie
Installed (7 kW): approximately $19,000–$26,000 before incentives. Florida Sales Tax Exemption applies. Florida Property Tax Exemption. Federal ITC. Contact (954) 797-1111 for current permit fee.
Get the permit details for your Davie property.
Your scope and address. Fee estimate and inspection sequence.
Get my Filing Kit →$14.99 · Based on official city sources
Common questions about Davie FL solar permits
How do I apply for a solar permit in Davie?
OAS portal at davie-fl-us.avolvecloud.com or in-person at 8800 SW 36 Street, Building A. Phone: (954) 797-1111. Mon–Thu 7:30 AM–5:30 PM. Florida DBPR-licensed solar contractor (building + electrical permits). NOC required. After city inspections, submit FPL net metering application.
What is the HVHZ racking requirement for solar in Davie?
Davie is in Broward County's HVHZ with 170+ mph design wind speeds. Solar panel racking systems must have Florida Product Approval (FPA) specifically for HVHZ conditions. This prevents solar panels from becoming hurricane projectiles. Verify that any solar installer's proposed racking system has Florida HVHZ Product Approval before signing a contract. Florida DBPR-licensed installers experienced in Broward County HVHZ installations provide compliant racking.
How does FPL net metering work for Davie solar?
Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the sole electric utility in Broward County. Florida law requires net metering at the retail electricity rate. After city inspections pass, submit FPL's net metering application. FPL installs a bi-directional meter. Excess exported solar power earns retail-rate credits. Credits roll over and can offset future bills, with annual true-up. This is more favorable than California's NEM 3.0 avoided-cost compensation.
What solar incentives are available to Davie homeowners?
Florida Sales Tax Exemption: 100% exemption on solar equipment and installation labor. Florida Property Tax Exemption: solar added value is exempt from Broward County property tax assessments. Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): 30% federal tax credit (when applicable). No Florida state income tax credit (Florida has no state income tax).
Why is solar a good investment in Davie compared to some other markets?
South Florida's ~5,200–5,400 kWh/kW annual solar production is among the highest in this guide. FPL's retail-rate net metering (more favorable than California NEM 3.0) credits solar production at full retail rates. Florida's Sales Tax and Property Tax exemptions reduce upfront cost and ongoing tax burden. The combination makes Davie one of the strongest solar economics markets in this guide.
Notice of Commencement (NOC) — protecting Davie homeowners before construction starts
Florida Statutes 713.13 requires a Notice of Commencement (NOC) to be recorded with the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division before a building permit can be issued for construction work valued over $2,500. The NOC protects homeowners from an important but often misunderstood risk: in Florida, subcontractors and material suppliers have lien rights directly against the property, independent of whether the homeowner paid the prime contractor. If the prime contractor doesn't pay subcontractors or suppliers, they can file mechanic's liens against the homeowner's property — even if the homeowner paid the prime contractor in full for the work.
The NOC establishes the formal project structure: owner name and address, prime contractor name and license number, lender information (if applicable), and the project description. Recording the NOC gives all potential lienors constructive notice of the project and the contractor hierarchy. For Davie homeowners: record the NOC at the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division (115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 114, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301) before permit issuance. Florida DBPR-licensed contractors assist with NOC preparation. Owner-builder applicants must personally bring their application in-person to Building Division at 8800 SW 36 Street, Building A — owner-builder applications cannot be submitted through the OAS portal. Contact (954) 797-1111 for current NOC guidance.
FPL all-electric South Florida — how energy works in Davie
Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the sole electric utility in Broward County, serving Davie as a regulated monopoly under Florida Public Service Commission oversight. Unlike Texas (ERCOT deregulated), Connecticut (competitive retail suppliers), or California (deregulated for commercial, but still investor-owned utility for residential), Davie homeowners have one electric company and no choice to switch providers. For service changes, panel upgrades, meter work, and solar interconnection: contact FPL at (800) 226-3545.
South Florida's residential building stock is predominantly all-electric. Natural gas infrastructure is less pervasive in South Florida than in the Northeast, Midwest, or Texas. Most Davie homes run entirely on electricity: air conditioning (the dominant energy load), heat pumps for the minimal heating demand, electric water heaters, and electric cooking appliances. TECO Peoples Gas has some Broward County service coverage, but a large portion of Davie homes do not have gas service at all. Before planning any gas appliance installation, verify whether your specific Davie address has existing gas infrastructure. For electrical permits: apply through the OAS portal at davie-fl-us.avolvecloud.com or in-person at 8800 SW 36 Street, Building A, and contact (954) 797-1111 for current permit requirements.
Town of Davie Building Division. Florida DBPR contractor license required. Contact (954) 797-1111 for current permit fee schedule. Not engineering advice.