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City of Benbrook (TX)

Texas Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements
NEC Code Version2017
Fire Code Version2018 Building Code
Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Structural
Fire Setback Enforced1

Codes

NEC Code Version
2017
Fire Code Version
2018 Building Code
Code List

2018 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2018 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

2017 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE LOCAL AMENDMENTS

ASCE Code Specification
ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

How Many Plansets Required
2
Revision Required
1
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

Standard

Structural & loads

Wind Speed
115
Wind Notes

Exposure Category B

Snow Load
5
Reducible Snow Load Allowed
1
Max Attachment Spacing
96
Structural Notes

Plans are required to be signed and sealed by a structural engineer designed to the 2018 IRC. Any solar panels larger than 1,000 sf in total area must be approved through the ZBA. Anything smaller can be approved by staff.

Minimum Ground On Roof
#10

Electrical

AC Disconnect Required
Yes
Electrical Load Calcs Required
Derates
Allowed POI
Load Side Taps,PV Breaker,Line Side Taps,Meter Adapter
Panel Schedule Required
Whole Home Backup
Temperature Rating
75
De Rating Ampacity
0.91

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed
0
ESS Notes

We are now submitting City of Benbrook Projects through a 3rd party review team. We no longer need to abide by 702.4 requirements within the AHJ. Please design towards MFG Battery requirements, and the installer Backup Load Policies.


Battery jobs require:

  • Provide a one-line drawing for this project which depicts all service equipment, loadcenters, gateways, solar modules, inverters, powerwalls, etc. and their associated service conductors and feeders. Please be certain to indicate which items are existing and which items are new.
  • The ESS must have sufficient capacity for the supply of all loads in accordance with 2017 NEC 702.4.(See Below) Provide a load calculation for the loads which will be served by the ESS. AHJ requires Load Calcs for both Whole Home and Backup Panel.
  • Provide an electrical load calculation for this electric service. Include all loads required by 2017 NEC Article 220 and include the battery charging current for the ESS in the calculation. AHJ requires Batteries to be included in Load Calculations
  • Provide panel schedules for all load centers, panelboards, etc on the site and for the Main Service panel. Be certain to show all breakers in these schedules.
  • Provide manufacturers cut sheets and installation instructions for the Battery and Gatway/Backup Interface/System Controller.
  • Provide a detail which depicts the mounting method that will be used to mount the ESS
  • Provide the fault current for the ESS
  • Provide an explanation for how this system prevent the batteries from back feeding onto the power grid during a power outage
  • Individual ESS units shall have a maximum rating of 20kWh and the aggregate inside an attached or detached garage shall be not more than 80kWh and 40kW inside utility closets.
  • Rooms and areas within dwelling units, sleeping units and attach garages in which ESS are installed shall be protected by smoke alarms in accordance with Section 907.2.11 of the IFC-2021 edition. Where smoke alarms are unable to be installed due to ambient conditions heat detectors may be installed.

*702.4 Guidance*

  • This AHJ does not recognize Tesla's 702.4 documentation.
  • AHJ Enforcing NEC 702.4 (Optional Standby Systems) for ESS Will require us to only backup essential loads whose total demand does not exceed what the # of Batteries can provide "E.G.: 1x Enphase 5P Continuous Output is 16A and if the system is designed with 3 units = 48A Continuous Load. The Backup Loads must have a Load Calc Less than or Equal to 48A. Load Calc shown on plans."
  • Option 1: 702.4(B) EMS or Load Management Hardware Exception can be used in NEC 2020/2023 as to allow maximum capable backup loads (I.E.-SPAN). 
  • Option 2: 220.87(1) Exception: Load Calculation based on Utility Meter Demand Data (Green Button - 15 min Interval over a 30 day period.). 
  • Option 3: Load Calculations via Emporia Energy Monitoring (30 Day Period). 
  • Option 4: Downsize loads. 

We are unable to use any type of High Output mode for backup load compliance.

  • All calcs are based off the battery. Mutiple Batteries do add to this, but expansion units do not.
  • Enphase IQ5P: 16A
  • SEEB: 20.8A
  • TPW3:47.9A

See Dallas Branch 702.4 Design Memo in Files Section for Guidance!

Separate ESS Disconnect Required
No
ESS Elevation Detail Required
No

Plan set

Plan Set Requirements

The use of the 90'C column for initial conductor sizing is an egregious violation of the NEC and will result in conductor overheating, equipment damage, etc. if the conductor is undersized. 2017 NEC 110.14 (C) requires the use of the 60'C column or the 75'C column, dependent on the temperature rating of the termination for initial conductor sizing. Please keep in mind that other code articles can modify this, such as Article 334 which only permits the use of the 60'C column for NM cable, 240.4 (D) limits the ampacity of some conductor sizes, etc. After determining the initial conductor size, the ampacity of the conductor must be adjusted for temperature, conduit fill, bundling, etc. If a conductor has a 90'C rating, the 90'C rating can usually be utilized for derating purposes only. In summary, The temperature correction and adjustment factors can be applied to the ampacity for the temperature rating of the conductor, but in no case may the adjusted ampacity exceed the temperature rating of the termination in accordance with the provisions of 110.14 (C). As originally stated, the minimum permissible conductor size would be a #2 THWN CU.

Roof Plan

Please verify the total square footage of the solar array.

Electrical Diagram

Standard


*FOR TESLA ESS* - Add the following note

  • ESS is Listed to UL916 to utilize "Source-side" EMS per 750.30 in accordance with 750.30 (C)(1) - (C)(4) and Labeling in Accordance with 750.50. 
Electrical Diagram Notes

All Tesla ESS Projects [ESS is Listed to UL916 to utilize "Source-side" EMS per 750.30 in accordance with 750.30 (C)(1) - (C)(4) and Labeling in Accordance with 750.50]

Label Page

*ALL ESS*

  • Ensure proper ESS Labels are present
  • Ensure Placard is clearly labeled
Custom Placards Required
0

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required
No
Compiled from public records, 2026. Requirements change with code cycles and local amendments. Verify with the City of Benbrook (TX) 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.