A permit coordinator reuses the shingle template on a concrete tile roof. The plan checker sends back one line: show flashing and waterproofing details at the system supports. That is item 9 on the Los Angeles County Public Works solar plan review list. On a standing seam metal roof the same template fails in a different way. There is no lag screw to flash, and the attachment is a clamp whose strength depends on the seam it grips.
This guide is for the US installer operations manager or permit coordinator who draws the attachment sheet. It covers the tile roof solar attachment and the standing seam clamp. It covers concrete and clay tile and standing seam metal on pitched roofs. Flat membrane roofs are in our guides to ballasted versus penetrating mounts and flat roof racking design. The structural paper that goes with these sheets is covered in the solar structural letter guide.
Quick answer. A tile roof solar attachment needs a detail that names the hook or replacement mount, shows flashing at tile and deck levels, and shows the fastener into framing. A standing seam attachment needs a clamp matched to the seam profile, backed by the maker’s test data. Both need wind-zone spacing, UL 2703 listings and manufacturer instructions. Confirm each item with the AHJ.
What does the attachment detail sheet need for each roof type?
The detail sheet is where the roof type shows up in a plan set. A set drawn for composition shingle usually carries one attachment detail. Tile needs a different set of facts, and standing seam needs another. The table is our checklist. We built it from the AHJ documents and manufacturer manuals cited in the sections below. Your AHJ may ask for more, so treat it as a floor.
| Detail item | Tile roof (concrete or clay) | Standing seam metal roof |
|---|---|---|
| Roof covering named | Tile material and profile (flat, S or W), underlayment, deck type | Panel maker, seam profile, material, gauge or thickness, clip type |
| Attachment named | Hook or replacement mount, with model number | Clamp model, with the rail or PV kit it carries |
| Penetration | Lag screw into a rafter, with size and embedment | None through the roof panel. Set screws grip the seam |
| Waterproofing | Flashing at tile level and deck level, sealant, underlayment lap | None at the clamp. Note any other penetration on the roof |
| Load path | Attachment, rafter, rafter span, tile dead load | Clamp, seam, panel clip, purlin or deck |
| Spacing | Attachment spacing from the zone table or the maker’s span table | Clamp spacing no wider than panel clip spacing |
| Wind basis | Code edition, zone, pressure and edge distances | Same, plus the clamp capacity in the same load basis |
| Capacity source | Maker certification letter or engineer calculation | Clamp test data for this maker, profile, gauge and torque |
| Listings | UL 2703 for rack and bonding. Flashing test record if the AHJ asks | UL 2703 for rack and bonding. Evaluation report or maker letter |
| Install notes | Torque values, sealant, how tiles are cut or replaced | Set screw torque and a calibrated wrench |
| Inspection photo | Each attachment and flashing before the rail goes on | Each clamp on its seam before modules go on |
A US installer that does not want to draw these sheets in house can use our solar permit design service for US installers. The service works from the roof data and the AHJ checklist you send.
What do Miami-Dade and LA County ask for on tile and metal roofs?
Two AHJ documents show how specific the ask can get. We read both on 31 October 2026. Florida and California are not the whole country, and neither document means a named AHJ will accept your submittal. Use them to see the pattern, then call your own building department.
| AHJ and document | Date | What it asks for |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER), Solar PV permit page | Accessed 31 Oct 2026 | Posted PV mount details for tile (A, B), metal solar foot (D), standing seam (E) and shingle skirt flashing (F). Applicants who use the pre-approved flashing detail agree to abide by it. Others submit their own penetration flashing detail. Wind uplift zone and perimeter width per ASCE 7. Signed and sealed wind calculations and attachment design |
| Miami-Dade PV Mount Detail A, Tile Roof and Detail E, Standing Seam | Release date 13 Sep 2022 | Detail A: three course flashing with roof sealant and 12 in. polyester fabric, 5 in. minimum post, fasteners per plans. Detail E: a seam clamp drawing with the note “As per Structural Calculations” |
| Los Angeles County Public Works, Solar Energy System Plan Review List | Version 1.0, 2/1/2026 | Item 8: manufacturer specification sheets, installation instructions and UL listings attached. Item 9: anchor connections detailed to rafters, with flashing and waterproofing details at supports. Item 10: signed structural plans and calculations, with a prescriptive exemption. Item 46: bonding shown, or a county-recognized UL 2703 racking system |
Three points come out of these documents.
First, the tile detail and the metal detail ask for different proof. Miami-Dade’s tile detail is about waterproofing at a penetration. Its standing seam detail points to calculations, because the strength sits in the clamp and the seam. LA County’s item 9 asks for the flashing detail by name, and item 8 asks for the listings.
Second, the manufacturer’s letter matters on metal. The Miami-Dade page covers this in its reinstallation guidelines. Where PV components are “connected solely to the roofing system, e.g., connections to standing seam metal roof or similar,” it requires a signed and sealed letter. The roof metal panel maker or the attachment device maker writes it. The letter must state that the values come from lab test results. It must give the maximum uplift force the roofing system can resist at the point of connection. It must say whether that load is ultimate or allowable. It must describe the tested substrate, panel type and thickness. It must also give the spacing of connections to the substrate, such as clips or fasteners. Allowable values carry a 2:1 margin of safety under FBC 2020 section 1523.4. The guidelines sit under a reroof heading, so ask whether the same letter is expected on new work.
Third, the exemption in LA County does not reach these roofs on its face. Item 10 lets a one- or two-family dwelling skip signed structural plans only if every condition is met. The first condition names the existing roofing as wood shingle, asphalt shingle or rolled and torch-down roofing. Tile and metal are not on that list. That is our reading, so confirm it with the plan checker. The remaining conditions are a 4 psf system weight, a 40 lb maximum concentrated load, supports no more than 48 in. apart, and a 5/16 in. lag screw embedded 2 1/2 in. or as the manufacturer recommends, whichever is more stringent.
One edition conflict is worth flagging. The Miami-Dade page cites ASCE 7-16 sections 29.4.3 and 29.4.4 and FBC 2020 section 1523.4. The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) says its current tile manual follows the 8th Edition Florida Building Code (2023). It also says the manual follows ASCE 7-22 (FRSA, 7 April 2023). We do not resolve that. Ask which edition governs a submittal filed today, and write the answer on the cover sheet. Our ASCE 7-22 wind load guide compares the two editions.
Tile roof solar attachment: hook or flashed replacement mount?
A tile roof sheds water over the tile. The waterproofing is the underlayment below it. Miami-Dade’s RER workshop slides (file dated March 2018) say it plainly. Tile roofs are discontinuous roof systems, and the underlayment acts as the waterproofing element. Any attachment that goes through the tile and the underlayment into a rafter makes a hole in that waterproofing layer.
The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRI) addresses this in two technical briefs. The June 2016 brief says all penetrations require an approved deck or underlayment flashing and a tile flashing. It defines a penetration as an object fastened to or through the sheathing that alters the underlayment or the tile. It also says attaching any accessory directly to an individual tile is prohibited. The 2008 solar brief says deck-mounted systems that penetrate need primary tile flashing and secondary deck flashing. Sources: TRI Technical Brief, June 2016; TRI Solar Systems brief #2008-01.. Both briefs say the local building official has the final word.
The FRSA-TRI Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual, 7th Edition, has an effective code date of 12/31/23. It shows flashing drawings for pipes and vents. We did not find a photovoltaic section in it. FRSA describes it as written for installations outside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Miami-Dade and Broward work follows the HVHZ roofing sections of the Florida Building Code instead.
With that background, the three common attachment types compare as follows.
| Attachment type | What the maker documents say | Question for the AHJ |
|---|---|---|
| Tile hook, lag backfilled with sealant | IronRidge All Tile Hook: remove tile, drill pilot holes into the rafter, backfill with the roofing maker’s approved sealant, notch tiles to fit. The maker lists a water seal rating under UL 441 or TAS 100(A) for steep slopes of 2:12 and above (manual v5.2, 2026) | Does the AHJ accept sealant at the lag, or does it want deck flashing? |
| Tile hook with deck flashing and tile replacement flashing | IronRidge lists an optional deck level flashing with its Knockout Tile. QuickMount’s Quick Hook includes a preformed sub flashing, with optional tile replacement flashings for flat, S and W profiles | Which flashing level does the prescribed detail assume? |
| Replacement mount, flashed at both levels | QuickMount Tile Replacement Mount replaces the tile and is flashed at the deck and tile levels. QBase kits add a 9 by 9 in. sub flashing and an 18 by 18 in. top flashing | Which tile profile is the flashing made for? |
The sources are the IronRidge XR Flush Mount manual, version 5.2 (2026) and the QuickMount tile roof brochure. SolaRack’s Adjustable S-Tile manual (2019, hosted by LA County) takes a third approach. It says the hook needs no change to the roofing material. The lag goes in the center of the rafter with sealant. The maximum span between attachments is 4 ft.
The sealant question is where a good detail can still draw a comment. The Miami-Dade slides say one thing about this. A fastener that penetrates the roof system and is sealed only with mastic or sealant is not an approvable PV flashing detail in the HVHZ. A maker can say a hook meets a water test, and an AHJ can still ask for the TRI flashing levels. Read the prescribed detail first. If you use a maker’s detail, attach the maker’s instruction and test record next to it. The glossary entries on solar roof flashing and the L-foot and stand-off define the parts.
Two cautions on terms. The first is “valley.” IronRidge tells the installer to place the hook arm near the center of the valley for curved tiles. That means the low pan of the tile. The Miami-Dade slides say no penetration shall be located in roof valleys, and quote an NRCA recommendation of 18 in. from a valley. That means the junction of two roof planes. The two uses are different, and a detail note should say which one it means. That is our reading of both documents. The second caution is clay versus concrete. The mount makers sort their parts by tile profile (flat, S-shaped, W-shaped), not by material. Check the tile maker’s manual for cutting and handling limits.
How do standing seam clamps match the seam profile?
A standing seam clamp attaches the array to the seam of a metal roof. The clamp’s set screws dimple the seam but do not penetrate it. The S-5! PVKIT 2.0 manual (version 022519) says so, and it asks the installer to verify set screw tension periodically with a calibrated torque wrench. That is why standing seam is often called a no-penetration attachment. The load still has to go somewhere. It goes into the seam, then into the concealed clip that holds the panel, then into the purlin or deck.
The same manual names the weak link. It says the clamp is often not the limit. The limit is more often the panel clip or the beam strength of the seam. It also gives a spacing rule: if the roof clips are 5 ft apart along the seam, use 5 ft as the maximum clamp spacing. Every seam the array crosses should be attached, and skipping seams needs approval from a design professional.
Clamp models are built for specific seam shapes. The evaluation report for the S-5! PVKIT 2.0 (IAPMO UES ER-945, Florida Product Approval FL47050-R0) lists them in section 4.2.
| Clamp | Seam it is described for in ER-945 section 4.2 |
|---|---|
| S-5-N | Standing seam panels with a 1 in. nail strip profile |
| S-5-S | Vertical snap-together profiles, and traditional single-folded horizontal profiles |
| S-5-V | Most machine-folded seams in the vertical orientation |
| S-5-T | Profiles with a T-shaped seam |
| S-5-Z | Round bulb seams (zip rib) |
| S-5-H | Single-folded seams with a horizontal seam dimension under 3/4 in. |
| S-5-MX | Single-folded horizontal seams of 1 in. and 1 1/2 in. height, and some double-fold seams |
The report’s Table 2 is where profile matching becomes a data lookup. It lists allowable loads by roof maker, panel product, steel or aluminum, yield strength, base metal thickness and installed torque. Two rows from the same table show why a general statement about clamps is not enough. McElroy Meridian panel in 26 gauge, with an S-5-N clamp, lists 488 lb allowable uplift. The 24 gauge version lists 708 lb. For the MBCI UltaDeck panel with an S-5-V clamp, 24 gauge lists 915 lb uplift. The 22 gauge row shows a dash in the uplift column. It also calls for 160 to 180 in-lb of torque, where the 24 gauge row calls for 130 to 150 in-lb. A dash means no value is published for that combination in the table we read.
The report also sets limits that belong on the sheet. The installed clamps must be structurally compatible with the roof, and an independent engineering review decides that. The registered design professional prepares the calculations and drawings for the building official. A calibration certificate for the torque wrench has to be available at the job site. The copy we opened is headed “Valid Through: 08/31/2026,” which is before our access date. Check for a renewed report before citing it.
UL 2703 does not close this gap. Its scope excludes roof attachments and flashing, as the next sections show. On standing seam, the proof that the clamp holds is the maker’s test data and the engineer’s check. The rack listing is not that proof.
How do wind zones set attachment spacing?
Wind pressure sets the force on each attachment. ASCE 7-22 section 29.4.4 covers solar panels parallel to the roof surface on buildings of all heights and roof slopes. The pressure uses the velocity pressure, a pressure coefficient by roof zone, an array edge factor and a pressure equalization factor. A public permit calculation sheet shows the equation as p = qh(GCp)(γE)(γa). Miami-Dade asks for the zone, the zone width and the wind uplift pressure for that zone on the roof plan. The ASCE 7-22 text is behind a paywall, so we did not quote it. Our ASCE 7-22 guide walks through the method.
The code does not hand you an attachment spacing. Spacing comes from the manufacturer’s span table or the engineer’s calculation, checked against the zone pressure. The documents we read show how it varies by product.
- The UL 2703 mechanical load test in ER-945 used clamps spaced at a maximum of 48 in. on center, with a design load of 50 psf down, 30 psf up and 10 psf downslope.
- SolaRack’s tile hook manual allows a maximum 4 ft span between attachments.
- LA County’s prescriptive exemption caps supports at 48 in. on center, on shingle and rolled roofs.
- S-5! says clamp spacing should be no wider than the panel clip spacing.
Zone pressure rises toward roof edges, ridges and corners, so attachment spacing often tightens there. If the span table assumes one pressure and your corner zone has a higher one, the sheet needs a tighter spacing or a different attachment. That is a design call for the engineer of record.
What does a clamp check look like?
The table is illustrative. It uses real capacities from ER-945 and assumed pressures. The pressures and the tributary area are not from any site. The report’s capacities are allowable stress design values, so pressures must be on the same basis. The report also says system capacity is limited to the least capacity of the clamp and the PVKIT. The EdgeGrab uplift capacity is 353 lb (Table 1).
Assumptions: tributary area of 7 square feet per clamp, and allowable-level uplift pressures supplied by the engineer from the zone table.
| Zone case (assumed) | Uplift pressure (psf) | Force per clamp (lb) | EdgeGrab, 353 lb | S-5-N on Meridian 26 ga, 488 lb | What governs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 15 | 105 | Passes | Passes | Nothing is close |
| Edge | 30 | 210 | Passes | Passes | Nothing is close |
| Corner | 55 | 385 | Fails | Passes | The grab, not the clamp |
| Severe corner | 75 | 525 | Fails | Fails | Both. Tighter spacing or a different product |
Two lessons come out of it. The weakest part sets the capacity, and it is not always the part the sheet is about. And the force per clamp scales with the zone, which is why one spacing for the whole array is rarely the answer.
What about the roof frame under tile?
The attachment is only half of the load path. The roof structure carries the load next. IRC 2021 section R324.4.1 requires rooftop PV systems to support themselves and resist the applicable gravity loads. Section R324.4.1.1 sets two load cases for the roof area under panels (IRC 2021 on UpCodes). Tile adds weight. LA County’s 2015 structural criteria (Attachment N, written to the 2013 California codes) assume 20 psf for a tile roof assembly. Non-tile assemblies get 10 psf. For post-1960 2x4 rafters at 24 in. on center, its Table 2 limits the horizontal span to 8 ft 0 in. for non-tile roofs and 6 ft 11 in. for tile. The document is old, and the county’s current list governs. It still shows why a tile roof can fail a framing check that a shingle roof passes. See the solar structural calculation report guide for what the framing check contains.
Which listings belong on the sheet?
UL 2703 is the main one, and it is easy to over-read. The standard’s title is Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices, Clamping/Retention Devices, and Ground Lugs for Use with Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels. The UL standards store shows Edition 1, published 28 January 2015, with its last revision on 28 April 2026. The scope covers the rack, the bonding and ground path, clamping, mechanical strength, fire classification and material suitability. The scope also excludes roof attachments, flashing and the structural requirements of the IBC (UL standards store, accessed 31 October 2026).
IBC 2024 section 1505.9 requires rooftop PV panel systems to be tested, listed and identified with a UL 2703 fire classification (IBC 2024 chapter 15 on UpCodes). So UL 2703 gives you the fire class and the bonding path. It does not tell you the hook will keep water out, or that the clamp will hold in this seam. The IronRidge manual shows the gap. It lists a UL 2703 system design load rating of 10 psf down, 5 psf up and 5 psf lateral. It then says actual structural capacity, spans and cantilevers are defined by the maker’s engineer-stamped certification letters. For bonding across the plan set, see grounding versus bonding in the solar plan set.
Flashing has its own document. UL 2703A is an Outline of Investigation for flashing devices and systems for rooftop-mounted PV. Edition 1, dated 9 September 2022, covers flashings meant to resist water entering the building where rack mounting systems penetrate the roof covering. It excludes the structural wind forces of tornados, cyclones and hurricanes, and it excludes structural attachments (UL standards store). The store lists Edition 1 as archived and an Edition 2 as active. We read only the Edition 1 scope. IronRidge reported in October 2024 that building officials are requesting products tested to it, and that the ICC left code language unchanged (IronRidge, 31 October 2024). Treat it as a document an AHJ may ask for, not as a code requirement.
Add product approvals where the jurisdiction uses them. Florida’s evaluation report for the S-5! kit is one example, and IronRidge’s manual lists Florida Product Approval FL29843. Attach the current document for your product, and check its date.
What do inspectors check on these roofs?
Inspection sequences differ by AHJ, and we found few published for tile or standing seam. Treat the table as a list of stops to ask about, with the source marked.
| Stop | Source | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| In-progress roof inspection | Miami-Dade RER workshop slides, March 2018: choose “Roof Mounted” on the fee sheet so the roof top in-progress inspection is generated | Open attachments and flashing before the racking covers them |
| Flashing before rail | Our recommendation, based on the TRI deck and tile flashing levels | Photo of deck flashing, tile flashing and sealant at each attachment |
| Fastener and torque | ER-945 section 3.6.2 and the S-5! manual | Torque values, calibrated wrench certificate, lag size and embedment per the sheet |
| Clamp on seam | Our recommendation, based on the S-5! spacing rule | Photo of each clamp on the seam, with the clip locations marked on the roof map |
| Final | LA County items 8 and 46 (listings and bonding on the plans) | Listings attached to the plans, bonding as drawn, layout matching the plans |
The Miami-Dade workshop file predates the 2023 Florida Building Code, so ask the county whether the sequence has changed. A photo record taken before the rail goes on costs little and answers most field questions. If the roof is later redone, the same record helps. See solar detach and reset permits for reroofs and the common reasons AHJs reject solar plan sets.
How can Heaven Designs help with tile and standing seam sheets?
Heaven Designs is a design and engineering firm. It does not install systems or supply hardware. Our US permit design service prepares plan sets for installers. A plan set can include roof attachment detail sheets built from the AHJ checklist and the manufacturer documents for the product on the roof. The detail checklist above is the starting point for scoping. Turnaround is agreed at scoping, and stamping requirements are confirmed at quote stage.
For the sheet set itself, start with our solar permit design service for US installers. To see a deliverable first, request the design samples. To discuss a tile or standing seam job, use our contact page. Send the AHJ checklist, the roof data and the product you plan to use. We reply within 1 business day (company-stated).
FAQ
Do concrete and clay tile need different attachment details?
The mount makers sort their parts by tile profile (flat, S or W), not by whether the tile is clay or concrete. The detail should name the profile and the flashing made for it. Check the tile maker’s manual for cutting and handling limits.
Can a standing seam clamp go on any seam?
No. Clamp models are built for specific seam shapes, and ER-945 lists capacities by roof maker, panel product, gauge and installed torque. Some combinations show no published value. Match the clamp to the seam and keep the test data with the sheet.
Does UL 2703 cover the roof attachment or the flashing?
No. The UL standards store scope for UL 2703 excludes roof attachments and flashing. It covers the rack, bonding, clamping, mechanical strength and fire classification. Flashing is the subject of UL 2703A, an Outline of Investigation.
Who sets attachment spacing, the code or the manufacturer?
Neither alone. The code and ASCE 7 give the wind pressure by zone. Spacing comes from the manufacturer’s span table or the engineer’s calculation, checked against that pressure and against the roof framing or seam capacity.
Does a solar permit on a tile roof need structural plans?
Often yes. LA County’s plan review list asks for structural plans and calculations signed by a licensed architect or civil engineer. Its prescriptive exemption names shingle and rolled roofing. Miami-Dade asks for signed and sealed wind calculations and attachment design. Confirm the requirement with your AHJ.