Jefferson County, Indiana solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 20 ft (Commercial SES) maximum height. Wind: 1.3 × height (nonparticipating property) from property lines, 3 × height (dwelling on a nonparticipating property) from homes, 50 dBA (Large WECS, at outer wall of dwelling) noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 7, 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 heightCommercial SESNo Commercial SES shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height as measured at maximum design tilt. | 20 ft |
Noise limitCommercial SES, measured at outer wall of non-participating propertyAll sound attributable to the SES shall not exceed an hourly average sound level of 50 A-weighted decibels, measured at the outer wall of a dwelling located on an adjacent non-participating property. | 50 dBA |
Decommissioning bondThe amount shall be equal to 125% of the estimated decommissioning costs. | 125% |
Source: Jefferson County ordinance (PDF), read October 7, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
9 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbacknonparticipating propertyA minimum setback distance of at least 1.3 times the height of the wind power device to the property line of any nonparticipating property. | 1.3 × height |
Property line setbackundeveloped land zoned or platted for residential useA minimum setback distance of at least two (2) times the height of the wind power device to the property line of any undeveloped land within the county that is zoned or platted for residential use. | 2 × height |
Setback from homesdwelling on a nonparticipating propertyA minimum setback distance of at least three (3) times the height of the wind power device to the nearest point on the outer wall of a dwelling located on a nonparticipating property. | 3 × height |
Setback from airport runwayA minimum setback distance of at least 1.3 times the height of the wind power device to the centerline of: 1) any runway located on a public use airport, private use airport, or municipal airport; | 1.3 × height |
Setback from utility transmission or distribution lineA minimum setback distance of at least 1.3 times the height of the wind power device to the nearest edge of the right-of-way for any utility transmission or distribution line. | 1.3 × height |
Setback from state parkLarge WECSFor only Large WECS, a minimum setback distance of at least one (1) mile to the property line of a state park. | 1 mile |
Setback from municipality corporate boundariesLarge WECSFor only Large WECS, a minimum setback distance of at least one (1) mile to the corporate boundaries of any municipality within the county. | 1 mile |
Noise limitLarge WECS, at outer wall of dwellingsound attributable to the wind power device(s) will not exceed an hourly average sound level of fifty (50) A-weighted decibels, as modeled at the outer wall of an affected dwelling. | 50 dBA |
Decommissioning bondLarge WECS at 20th anniversaryAn amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the total estimated decommissioning costs not later than the twentieth (20 ) anniversary of the start date of the wind power device's full commercial operation. | 100% |
Source: Jefferson County ordinance (PDF), read October 7, 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, IN?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 20 ft (Commercial SES). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Jefferson County, IN?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1.3 × height (nonparticipating property) from property lines, 3 × height (dwelling on a nonparticipating property) from homes and 2 × height (undeveloped land zoned or platted for residential use) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.