Linn County, Iowa solar and battery storage ordinance
Solar: 300 ft (unless owner waives) from homes, 55 dBA (daytime hourly average) noise limit. Battery storage: 200 ft from property lines, 200 ft from roads, 55 dBA (one hour average) noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Solar rules
4 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Setback from homesunless owner waivesSolar panels, structures, and electrical equipment, excluding fences and power lines for interconnection, shall be kept a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from dwellings, unless the property owner waives the setback. | 300 ft |
Setback from centerline of all stream corridors and open ditchesSolar panels, structures, and electrical equipment, excluding fences and power lines for interconnection, shall be kept a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) feet from the centerline of all stream corridors and open ditches containing perennial flow | 120 ft |
Noise limitdaytime hourly averageAn hourly average noise level of fifty-five (55) dBA during the day (between sunrise and sunset) | 55 dBA |
Noise limitnighttime hourly averagean hourly average noise level of fifty (50) dBA at night (between sunset and sunrise) | 50 dBA |
Source: Linn County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Battery storage 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 setbackAll components of the battery energy storage system shall be setback at least two hundred (200) feet from a property line or right-of-way. | 200 ft |
Property line setbacknearest property line including an occupied structureAll components, except the interconnection point, installed as part of the battery energy storage system shall be setback at least five (500) hundred feet from the nearest property line including an occupied structure not located on the subject property. | 500 ft |
Road setbackAll components of the battery energy storage system shall be setback at least two hundred (200) feet from a property line or right-of-way. | 200 ft |
Setback from centerline of all stream corridors and open ditchesAll components of the battery energy storage systems shall be setback a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) feet from the centerline of all stream corridors and open ditches containing perennial flow throughout the majority of the growing season. | 120 ft |
Noise limitone hour averageThe one (1) hour average noise generated by from the battery energy storage system, components, and associated ancillary equipment shall not exceed a noise level of fifty-five (55) dBA | 55 dBA |
Source: Linn County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Iowa state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Iowa rules and counties.
State siting: Iowa Utilities Commission (formerly Iowa Utilities Board)
A plant of 25 MW or more needs a state certificate before construction.
Iowa Code 476A.1(5), 476A.2. Source
Limits on local rules
For plants of 25 MW or more, the state may issue its certificate even if the project does not meet county zoning; no limit was found for smaller projects.
Iowa Code 476A.5(3). Source
Every Iowa figure in one spreadsheet
114 figures from 17 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 3 of those places are not on this site. Plus the 8 moratoria and bans on file and Iowa state law.
How these figures were read
We found Linn 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 Linn County, IA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 300 ft (unless owner waives) from homes. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the battery storage setbacks in Linn County, IA?
The county's ordinance sets battery storage back 200 ft from property lines, 200 ft from roads and 500 ft (nearest property line including an occupied structure) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.