HB 1104: Maryland's Solar Remote Inspection Mandate
Every Maryland county and municipality must authorize remote inspections for residential solar energy systems by October 1, 2026. VuSpex gives your agency a purpose-built platform to comply — on time and at scale.
What Is Maryland HB 1104?
Introduced by Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo and assigned to the Environment and Transportation Committee, Maryland House Bill 1104 amends Article – Local Government, Section 1-1320 of the Annotated Code of Maryland to require counties and municipalities to authorize remote inspections of residential solar energy systems and implement streamlined solar permitting software.
The bill reflects growing state recognition that rooftop solar adoption is being stifled by slow, manual permitting and inspection processes. By mandating remote inspections — where a licensed inspector reviews the installation via live video rather than an in-person visit — HB 1104 aims to cut delays, reduce costs for homeowners, and accelerate Maryland's clean energy transition.
With an effective date of October 1, 2026, Maryland jurisdictions have limited time to procure a compliant platform, integrate it with existing permitting workflows, and train staff. VuSpex is the solution agencies are already turning to.
Key Deadlines
- October 1, 2026 — Remote solar inspections must be authorized by all counties and municipalities
- August 1, 2027 — Solar permitting fee cap of $200 takes effect
What HB 1104 Requires
- Remote inspections must be offered for residential solar energy systems
- Remote solar inspection fees may not exceed $100
- Only one re-inspection allowed unless the first resulted in a failure
- No manual review required at any point in the permitting or inspection process
- Permit review limited to health and safety requirements under state and local law
- Attorney General authorized to seek judicial enforcement for non-compliance
Why VuSpex Is the Right Platform for HB 1104
HB 1104 doesn't just require remote inspections — it requires a structured, documented, fee-capped process with enforcement teeth. General video calling tools can't meet that bar. VuSpex can.
Solar Inspection Ready
VuSpex Go is designed for inspectors to guide homeowners and contractors through a live video walkthrough. Inspectors can zoom, annotate, and capture photos — all from a browser with no app download required.
Defensible Audit Records
Every remote inspection is recorded, timestamped, and stored with the associated permit record. If the Attorney General ever audits a jurisdiction's compliance, VuSpex gives you complete, exportable records.
Fee-Capped Compatible
HB 1104 caps remote solar inspection fees at $100. VuSpex's pricing model is designed for government volume, not per-inspection charges to residents — making fee compliance straightforward.
Permitting System Integration
VuSpex integrates with leading government permitting platforms — Accela, Tyler Technologies, CentralSquare, and others — so solar inspection outcomes flow directly into your permit records without manual data entry.
No App Download for Residents
HB 1104 envisions a frictionless process for homeowners. VuSpex's browser-based inspection link means any homeowner with a smartphone can participate — no account creation, no app store, no tech support calls.
October 2026 Deadline Ready
VuSpex can be deployed, integrated, and running in under 30 days. With October 1, 2026 as the compliance date, agencies that start procurement now will be operational with time to spare.
Proven in One of America's Largest Cities
Agencies choosing VuSpex for HB 1104 compliance aren't taking a chance on unproven technology. They're adopting a platform already trusted by major government jurisdictions nationwide.
City of Philadelphia
The City of Philadelphia — with over 1.5 million residents and one of the country's largest municipal building inspection operations — relies on VuSpex to conduct remote virtual inspections at scale. Philadelphia's adoption demonstrates that VuSpex performs not just in small jurisdictions, but in high-volume urban environments where efficiency and reliability are non-negotiable.
For Maryland counties and municipalities preparing to comply with HB 1104's remote solar inspection mandate, Philadelphia's experience is a direct proof point: VuSpex handles large inspection volumes, integrates with complex existing systems, and delivers a seamless experience for both inspectors and residents.
Remote Solar Inspections: The Business Case
$100
Maximum fee allowed per HB 1104 for a remote solar inspection — a fraction of in-person inspection costs
1 re-inspect
Maximum repeat inspections under HB 1104 unless the first resulted in a failure
0 manual reviews
Required at any stage of the permitting or inspection process under HB 1104
Oct 1, 2026
Effective date — agencies must be compliant, with Attorney General enforcement authority
Why Solar Inspections Are Different
Residential solar installations are methodical, repeatable, and highly visual — which makes them ideal candidates for remote inspection. An inspector reviewing a rooftop panel array, racking system, inverter placement, or conduit run via live video can assess code compliance just as effectively as an in-person visit.
VuSpex Go's high-definition video, photo capture, and real-time annotation tools give inspectors everything they need to approve or flag a solar installation from the office — eliminating the drive time, scheduling friction, and cost of traditional site visits.
Attorney General Enforcement
Unlike many unfunded mandates, HB 1104 includes teeth: the Maryland Attorney General is authorized to seek judicial enforcement against any county or municipality that fails to comply.
This makes choosing a proven, reliable platform critical. VuSpex provides the documentation, audit trails, and reporting capabilities that agencies need to demonstrate compliance — not just to residents, but to state oversight bodies if required.
October 2026 Is Closer Than It Looks
Procurement, contracting, integration, and staff training take time. Maryland jurisdictions that begin evaluating VuSpex now will be compliant with HB 1104 on day one — and ahead of the curve on the broader shift to virtual inspections across all permit types.