Winneshiek County, Iowa solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 200 ft (residence that is not part of the project area) from homes, 80 ft (State rights-of-way) from roads, 20 ft maximum height. Wind: 1.1 × height from property lines, 2 × height (whichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet) 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
7 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Setback from homesresidence that is not part of the project area(c) Solar panels shall be at least two hundred (200) feet from a residence that is not part of the CSES or SFES project area. | 200 ft |
Road setbackState rights-of-way(d) Solar panels shall be eighty (80) feet from State rights-of-way | 80 ft |
Road setbackCounty rights-of-wayand sixty (60) feet from County rights-of-way. | 60 ft |
Setback from homes, participating ownerand one hundred (100) feet from a residence that is a part of the CSES or SFES project area. | 100 ft |
Maximum height(1) Height of solar panel(s) shall not exceed twenty (20) feet at maximum tilt of the solar panel(s). | 20 ft |
Fence heightminimum(4) Fencing: A security fence of at least six (6) feet in height but no greater than eight (8) feet shall enclose the CSES or SFES. | 6 ft |
Fence heightmaximum(4) Fencing: A security fence of at least six (6) feet in height but no greater than eight (8) feet shall enclose the CSES or SFES. | 8 ft |
Source: Winneshiek County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
13 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setback(b) 1.1 times Total Height from: public road rights-of-way, railroad rights-of-way, above- ground utility electric power lines, public communication lines, and property lines. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from homeswhichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet(a) The greater of two (2) times Total Height, or one thousand (1,000) feet from: dwellings and active schools, hospitals, churches, and public libraries. | 2 × height |
Setback from homeswhichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet(a) The greater of two (2) times Total Height, or one thousand (1,000) feet from: dwellings and active schools, hospitals, churches, and public libraries. | 1,000 ft |
Road setbackpublic road rights-of-way(b) 1.1 times Total Height from: public road rights-of-way, railroad rights-of-way, above- ground utility electric power lines, public communication lines, and property lines. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from active schools, hospitals, churches, and public librarieswhichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet(a) The greater of two (2) times Total Height, or one thousand (1,000) feet from: dwellings and active schools, hospitals, churches, and public libraries. | 2 × height |
Setback from active schools, hospitals, churches, and public librarieswhichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet(a) The greater of two (2) times Total Height, or one thousand (1,000) feet from: dwellings and active schools, hospitals, churches, and public libraries. | 1,000 ft |
Setback from railroad rights-of-way(b) 1.1 times Total Height from: public road rights-of-way, railroad rights-of-way, above- ground utility electric power lines, public communication lines, and property lines. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from above-ground utility electric power lines(b) 1.1 times Total Height from: public road rights-of-way, railroad rights-of-way, above- ground utility electric power lines, public communication lines, and property lines. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from public communication lines(b) 1.1 times Total Height from: public road rights-of-way, railroad rights-of-way, above- ground utility electric power lines, public communication lines, and property lines. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from incorporated municipality city limits(c) One thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from: incorporated municipality city limits. | 1,500 ft |
Setback from Bluff Impact Zone(d) One thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet from: Bluff Impact Zone. | 1,320 ft |
Setback from active cemeteries, public lands, and public waterways(e) One thousand (1,000) feet from: active cemeteries, public lands, and public waterways. | 1,000 ft |
Noise limitdwelling or active school, hospital, church, or public librarySound generated by C-WECS shall not be greater than fifty-five (55) dBA when measured at any dwelling or active school, hospital, church, or public library | 55 dBA |
Source: Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County, IA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 200 ft (residence that is not part of the project area) from homes, 80 ft (State rights-of-way) from roads and 60 ft (County rights-of-way) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Winneshiek County, IA?
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 Winneshiek County, IA?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 2 × height (whichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet) from homes, 1,000 ft (whichever is greater, 2 times height or 1000 feet) from homes, 1.1 × height (public road rights-of-way) from roads and 1.1 × height from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.