Historic preservation · Planning application

Solar panels on backyard structure approved in historic district

The city's Planning Director approved rooftop solar panels, a 5.28-kilowatt system, on a detached rear structure. Conditions require flush, non-reflective, matte black panels that can't be seen from public streets and that can be removed later.

ApprovedDRH26-00191Filed June 2, 2026North End · 1419 N 20th St+1 related filing

Site plan for Solar panels on backyard structure approved in historic district — Site plan from the application documents.

Pin at the reported location; the shaded outline is the primary parcel (Ada County).

From the filing

The application's description as it appears in City of Boise's record. See the official record

The applicant proposes installing solar panels on the roof of a detached accessory structure at the rear of a property at 1419 N 20th Street in Boise's residential historic district. The structure is classified as noncontributing to the historic district, and the city's Planning Director approved the request.
Solar panels in a historic district.
Project name on file: 1419 N 20TH ST

Timeline

June 29, 2026
Appeal Period: Completed
June 18, 2026
Review Complete: Completed
June 18, 2026
DR: Complete
June 9, 2026
DR: In Review
June 9, 2026
Assign Reviewers: Completed
June 4, 2026
Fee Payment: Payment Received
June 4, 2026
Prescreen Review: Passed
June 2, 2026
Prescreen Review: In Progress
June 2, 2026
Application Submittal: ePlanReview
June 2, 2026
Application filed

Documents

Site plans

Engineer's letter finding the existing roof framing can support the added solar panel load, with loading criteria and panel anchorage requirements.
June 15, 2026 · 10 pages · 924 KB · PDS-Other Small Docs
Download Structural engineering letter on rooftop solar load
Site plan showing the rooftop solar array, Tesla Powerwall and gateway equipment, junction and disconnect locations, and conduit runs for the home.
June 10, 2026 · 1 page · 405 KB · PDS-Maps and Drawings
Download Solar photovoltaic site plan with roof plan

Plans

Cover sheet for a 12-module, 5.28 kWDC roof-mounted solar PV system with Tesla Powerwall 3 battery storage, with system summary, general notes and design criteria.
June 10, 2026 · 1 page · 1.9 MB · PDS-Maps and Drawings
Download Solar PV system cover sheet

Project narrative

Engineer's letter evaluating whether the existing roof framing can support the added dead and wind loads of a 5.280 kW solar panel array, with anchorage requirements.
June 10, 2026 · 10 pages · 924 KB · PDS-Letter of Intent
Download Structural engineering letter for rooftop solar system

Decisions

Minor Certificate of Appropriateness approving rooftop solar panels on a noncontributing detached accessory structure in a historic design overlay zone, with conditions of approval.
June 18, 2026 · 10 pages · 229 KB · PDS-Certificate of Appropriateness
Download Certificate of Appropriateness approval letter

Notices

Planning and Development Services notice that a Certificate of Appropriateness for rooftop solar panels in a historic design overlay zone was approved, with an appeal deadline of June 29, 2026.
June 16, 2026 · 2 pages · 680 KB · PDS-Legal Notice
Download Notice of approval for solar panels

Application

Application by an electrical contractor for a minor Certificate of Appropriateness to install solar panels on a property in a historic district, with the project proposal stated as solar panels.
June 2, 2026 · 4 pages · 172 KB · PDS-Application
Download Certificate of Appropriateness application (minor) for solar panels