Rock Island County, Illinois solar, wind and battery storage ordinance
Solar: 50 ft (nonparticipating property) from property lines, 50 ft from roads, 20 ft maximum height. Wind: 1.1 × height (Boundary Lines of nonparticipating property) from property lines, 2.1 × height (Occupied Community Building) from homes, 1.1 × height (Public Road Rights-of-Way) from roads. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Solar rules
5 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbacknonparticipating propertyd. A Commercial solar energy facilities shall be setback a minimum of 50-feet (50’) from the nearest point on the property line of any nonparticipating property. | 50 ft |
Setback from homesoccupied community building or a dwelling on nonparticipating propertya. Commercial solar energy facilities shall be setback a minimum distance of 150’ from the nearest point on the outside wall of the structure of an occupied community building or a dwelling on nonparticipating property. | 150 ft |
Road setbackc. Commercial solar energy facilities shall have a 50-foot (50’) setback from the nearest edge of a public road right-of-way. | 50 ft |
Maximum height1. Height: No component of a solar panel may have a height of more than 20 feet above ground when the solar energy facility’s array at full tilt. | 20 ft |
Fence heightminimumThe fence must be a minimum of 6 feet (6’) high but no more than twenty-five feet (25’) in height. | 6 ft |
Source: Rock Island County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
8 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackBoundary Lines of nonparticipating propertye) Boundary Lines of nonparticipating property: minimum 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the property line of the nonparticipating property. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from homesOccupied Community Buildinga) Occupied Community Building: minimum 2.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the outside wall. | 2.1 × height |
Setback from homesNonparticipating residencesc) Nonparticipating residences: minimum 2.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the outside wall | 2.1 × height |
Road setbackPublic Road Rights-of-Wayf) Public Road Rights-of-Way: minimum 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the center point of the public road right–of-way. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from overhead communication and electric transmission/distribution facilitiesg) Overhead communication and electric transmission/distribution facilities (not including overhead utility service lines to individual homes or outbuildings): minimum 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest edge of the property line, easement, or right of way | 1.1 × height |
Setback from Fish and Wildlife Areas and Illinois Nature Preserve Protected Landsi) Fish and Wildlife Areas and Illinois Nature Preserve Protected Lands: 2.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the property line of the Fish and Wildlife Area or Protected Area. | 2.1 × height |
Setback from homes, participating ownerParticipating residencesb) Participating residences: minimum 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height of the wind tower to the nearest point on the outside wall | 1.1 × height |
Fence heightminimum for supporting facilitiesFences shall be a minimum of six feet (6’) in height and shall be constructed of a type suitable for security purposes. | 6 ft |
Source: Rock Island County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Battery storage rules
4 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbacknonparticipating propertyd. BESSs shall be setback a minimum of 50-feet (50’) from the nearest point on the property line of any nonparticipating property. | 50 ft |
Setback from homesoccupied community building or a dwelling on nonparticipating propertya. BESSs shall be setback a minimum distance of 150’ from the nearest point on the outside wall of the structure of an occupied community building or a dwelling on nonparticipating property. | 150 ft |
Road setbackc. BESSs shall have a 50-foot (50’) setback from the nearest edge of a public road right-of-way. | 50 ft |
Fence heightminimumFences shall be a minimum of six feet (6’) in height and shall be constructed of a type suitable for security purposes. | 6 ft |
Source: Rock Island County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Illinois state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Illinois rules and counties.
Limits on local rules
Counties cannot ban commercial solar in agricultural or industrial zones and cannot set standards stricter than the state's.
55 ILCS 5/5-12020 (Public Act 102-1123). Source
Solar standards in state law
Counties may adopt these standards but nothing stricter.
| Homes (non-participating) | 150 ft |
| Schools, churches, community buildings | 150 ft |
| Property line (non-participating) | 50 ft |
| Public roads | 50 ft |
| Panel height at full tilt | 20 ft |
| Noise | IPCB limits |
55 ILCS 5/5-12020 (Public Act 102-1123). Source
Wind standards in state law
Counties may adopt these standards but nothing stricter.
| Homes (non-participating) | 2.1 × tip height |
| Schools, churches, community buildings | 2.1 × tip height |
| Property line (non-participating) | 1.1 × tip height |
| Public roads | 1.1 × tip height |
| Tip height | FAA no-hazard height |
| Noise | IPCB limits |
55 ILCS 5/5-12020 (Public Act 102-1123). Source
Battery storage standards in state law
Stand-alone storage over 1 MW, in counties with zoning. A county storage ordinance must use these as written.
| Homes and community buildings (non-participating) | 150 ft |
| Property line (non-participating) | 50 ft |
| Public roads | 50 ft |
| Fence height | 7 to 25 ft |
| Fire safety | NFPA 855, nothing stricter |
| Noise | IPCB limits |
Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Public Act 104-0458). Source
Every Illinois figure in one spreadsheet
157 figures from 23 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 3 of those places are not on this site. Plus Illinois state law.
How these figures were read
We found Rock Island County's own ordinance and had two AI models read it separately. A figure is shown only when both read the same number and the sentence it comes from was found in the document. Moratoria and bans are checked against the adopting document. Ordinances change and many figures apply only in some cases, so check the cited section with the county before relying on one.
Common questions
What are the solar setbacks in Rock Island County, IL?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 150 ft (occupied community building or a dwelling on nonparticipating property) from homes, 50 ft from roads and 50 ft (nonparticipating property) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Rock Island County, IL?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 20 ft. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Rock Island County, IL?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 2.1 × height (Occupied Community Building) from homes, 2.1 × height (Nonparticipating residences) from homes, 1.1 × height (Boundary Lines of nonparticipating property) from property lines and 1.1 × height (Public Road Rights-of-Way) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the battery storage setbacks in Rock Island County, IL?
The county's ordinance sets battery storage back 150 ft (occupied community building or a dwelling on nonparticipating property) from homes, 50 ft from roads and 50 ft (nonparticipating property) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.