DeKalb County, Indiana solar ordinance
Solar: 400 ft (Non-participating residential dwelling) from homes, 15 ft maximum height. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Solar rules
7 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Setback from homesNon-participating residential dwellingThe CSES shall be at least 400 feet from the foundation of the primary structure of a non - participating, pre - existing residential dwelling, as measured at the foundation to the edge of the CSES panel , including across a roadway if applicable. | 400 ft |
Setback from church, school or commercial businessNon-participatingThe CSES shall be at least 200 feet from the foundation of the primary structure of a non - participating, pre - existing church, school or commercial business, as measured at the foundation to the edge of the CSES panel, including across a roadway if applicable . | 200 ft |
Maximum heightNo part of a solar panel or other equipment associated with the CSES shall exceed 15 feet in height when oriented at the maximum tilt height. | 15 ft |
Fence heightOpaque privacy fencesOpaque (privacy) fences shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. | 6 ft |
Noise limitHourly average at outer wall of existing dwelling on adjacent nonparticipating propertya project owner may not install or locate a CSES unless the project owner demonstrates to the Zoning Administrator that the CSES will operate so the sound attri buted with the CSES will not exceed an hourly average sound level of fifty (50) A‐Weighted decibels | 50 dBA |
Decommissioning bondOriginal text valueBond or irrevocable letter of credit must be equal to 125 % 115% of the decommissioning costs included in the Development Plan | 125% |
Decommissioning bondCorrected text valueBond or irrevocable letter of credit must be equal to 125 % 115% of the decommissioning costs included in the Development Plan | 115% |
Source: DeKalb County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Indiana state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Indiana rules and counties.
Solar standards in state law
Optional default standards for solar of 10 MW or more: they apply only in a county or town that voluntarily becomes a solar energy ready community (it may adopt looser ones), for applications filed after June 30, 2022.
| Homes (non-participating) | 250 ft |
| Property line (non-participating) | 50 ft |
| Public roads | 40 ft (interstate, state, county highways) from right-of-way |
| Public roads | 30 ft (collector), 10 ft (local) from right-of-way |
| Panel height at full tilt | 25 ft |
| Fence height | 6 ft minimum |
| Noise | 50 dBA (hourly average, at nearest non-participating dwelling) |
IC 8-1-42-1, -2, -10, -12, -16 (P.L.90-2022). Source
Every Indiana figure in one spreadsheet
240 figures from 28 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. Plus the 2 moratoria and bans on file and Indiana state law.
How these figures were read
We found DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, IN?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 400 ft (Non-participating residential dwelling) from homes. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in DeKalb County, IN?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 15 ft. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.