Hamilton County, Indiana solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 5 acres (C-SES) minimum lot, 60 dBA (at the property lines of the project boundary) noise limit. Wind: 300 ft (commercial WECS tower including total height of blades) maximum height, 40 acres (each individual WECS tower) minimum lot. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar rules
3 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Maximum heightground- or pole-mounted solar energy systems oriented at maximum tiltGround- or pole-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt. | 15 ft |
Minimum lot sizeC-SESA C-SES may only be located on a parcel larger than 5 acres. | 5 acres |
Noise limitat the property lines of the project boundarySixty (60) dBA, as measured at the property lines of the project boundary, unless the owner of the affected property agrees to a higher noise level | 60 dBA |
Source: Hamilton County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind 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 setbackcommercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological towerExcept as provided herein, installation of a commercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological tower may not be nearer than 1.5 times the height of the WECS including the blade at its highest point, to any property lines, proposed right-of-way line, co-applicant residences, railroad right-of-way, overhead electrical transmission, or distribution lines. | 1.5 × height |
Road setbackcommercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological towerExcept as provided herein, installation of a commercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological tower may not be nearer than 1.5 times the height of the WECS including the blade at its highest point, to any property lines, proposed right-of-way line, co-applicant residences, railroad right-of-way, overhead electrical transmission, or distribution lines. | 1.5 × height |
Setback from railroad right-of-waycommercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological towerExcept as provided herein, installation of a commercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological tower may not be nearer than 1.5 times the height of the WECS including the blade at its highest point, to any property lines, proposed right-of-way line, co-applicant residences, railroad right-of-way, overhead electrical transmission, or distribution lines. | 1.5 × height |
Maximum heightcommercial WECS tower including total height of bladesMaximum height for commercial WECS tower including total height of blades is 300 feet. | 300 ft |
Minimum lot sizeeach individual WECS towerEach individual WECS tower shall require an area of ground (site area) of no less than 40.0 acres using existing roads, property lines and/or water courses as area/site boundaries. | 40 acres |
Source: Hamilton County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 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
Wind standards in state law
Optional default standards: they apply only in a county or town that voluntarily becomes a wind energy ready community (it may adopt looser ones), for applications filed after June 30, 2022.
| Homes (non-participating) | 3 × tip height |
| Property line (non-participating) | 1.1 × tip height |
| Public roads | 1.1 × tip height (to road centerline) |
| Town limits | 1 mile (town may waive) |
| Tip height | No local cap stricter than FAA Part 77 |
| Shadow flicker | 30 hours/year |
| Noise | 50 dBA (hourly average, at dwelling wall) |
| Decommissioning | Bond: 25% of cost by commercial operation, stepping up later |
IC 8-1-41-1, -10, -11, -13, -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 Hamilton 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
How tall can a solar farm be in Hamilton County, IN?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 15 ft (ground- or pole-mounted solar energy systems oriented at maximum tilt). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What is the minimum lot size for a solar farm in Hamilton County, IN?
The ordinance sets a minimum lot size of 5 acres (C-SES). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Hamilton County, IN?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1.5 × height (commercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological tower) from property lines and 1.5 × height (commercial WECS or a temporary or permanent meteorological tower) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.