Kent County adopts SolarAPP+ resolution despite vendor contract concerns

Kent County commissioners approved a resolution to adopt SolarAPP+, a state-required web-based process for issuing residential rooftop solar permits, while county staff and counsel warned that the vendor’s sample contract contains one-sided terms that favor the vendor.

Planning, Housing and Zoning Director Bill and county counsel told commissioners that a 2024 state law requires jurisdictions issuing residential rooftop solar permits to use SolarAPP+ or an equivalent platform. County staff said SolarAPP+ issues immediate permits based on contractor-submitted information and uses an external payment processor (Stripe) for fees; because county permitting software could not directly integrate with the billing tool, the county will use SolarAPP+’s web-based approach and separately assess inspection fees through the county’s inspection process.

County legal staff and the planning director said they reviewed the vendor’s sample contract and found it unusually one-sided in favor of the vendor, particularly on liability disclaimers; however, they said the state mandate and limited alternatives mean the county would proceed. The resolution includes language that it will have no effect if the state provides an exemption or changes the mandate.

Commissioners approved the resolution; staff said they had also contacted the state liaison at the Maryland Department of Planning to confirm details and to monitor any state-issued exemptions.