Henderson County, Kentucky solar and battery storage ordinance
Henderson County has a moratorium in force since February 11, 2025, running to February 1, 2027. It covers Level 2 (large-scale) solar energy systems. Solar: 50 ft (Level 2 SES) from property lines, 100 ft (Level 2 SES) from homes, 25 ft (Level 2 SES) maximum height. Battery storage: 50 dBA (daytime limit) noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Moratorium
Level 2 (large-scale) solar energy systems
- Adopted
- February 11, 2025
- Runs to
- February 1, 2027
- Scope
- Level 1 (small) solar; the Stellar Renewables project near Ky. 425 is allowed under a 2026 settlement
- Checked
- September 29, 2026
applications for rezoning, conditional use permits, or other types of applications for Level 2 Solar Energy Systems (SES) installations. This moratorium shall remain in effect until February 1, 2027
Solar rules
4 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackLevel 2 SESSetback requirements for Level 2 SES shall be as follows: (1) All equipment shall be at least fifty (50) feet from the perimeter property lines of the project area | 50 ft |
Setback from homesLevel 2 SES(3) All equipment shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet from any residential structure | 100 ft |
Maximum heightLevel 2 SESThe height of any ground - mounted SES shall be at most twenty - five (25) feet as measured from the highest natural grade below each solar panel | 25 ft |
Fence heightLevel 2 SESAll Level 2 SES shall be screened with a 7’ tall fence | 7 ft |
Source: Henderson County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Battery storage rules
3 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Fence heightTier 2 BESSAll Tier 2 Battery Energy Storage Systems shall be screened with a seven - foot tall fence | 7 ft |
Noise limitdaytime limitThe one - hour average noise generated from the battery energy storage systems, components, and associated ancillary equipment shall not exceed a noise level of fifty (50) dBA during the day | 50 dBA |
Noise limitnighttime limitforty - five (45) dBA during the night | 45 dBA |
Source: Henderson County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Kentucky state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Kentucky rules and counties.
State siting: Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting
A merchant plant of 10 MW or more needs a state construction certificate, on top of any local zoning.
KRS 278.700 to 278.718. Source
Solar standards in state law
Default setback for merchant solar of 10 MW or more that the Siting Board certifies; where the county or city has planning and zoning, its own setback, height and decommissioning rules replace these, and elsewhere the board may grant a deviation.
| Residential neighborhoods (5+ acres, 1+ home per acre) | 2,000 ft |
| Schools, hospitals, nursing homes | 2,000 ft |
| Decommissioning | Bond: present value of decommissioning cost, or the local bond amount |
KRS 278.704(2)-(4), 278.706(2)(m) (as amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 152 and ch. 198). Source
Every Kentucky figure in one spreadsheet
92 figures from 15 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 1 of those places is not on this site. Plus the moratorium or ban on file and Kentucky state law.
How these figures were read
We found Henderson 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
Is there a solar moratorium in Henderson County, KY?
Henderson County has a moratorium in force since February 11, 2025, running to February 1, 2027. It covers Level 2 (large-scale) solar energy systems. Checked against the adopting document on September 29, 2026.
What are the solar setbacks in Henderson County, KY?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 50 ft (Level 2 SES) from property lines and 100 ft (Level 2 SES) from homes. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Henderson County, KY?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 25 ft (Level 2 SES). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.