Cheboygan County, Michigan solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 50 ft (Level 3 SES-PV) from property lines, 100 ft (Level 3 SES-PV) from homes, 50 ft (Level 3 SES-PV) from roads. Wind: 1,500 ft (Default for Public WG) from property lines, 1,500 ft (Default for Public WG) from roads, 300 ft (Public WG) maximum height. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar rules
11 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackLevel 3 SES-PV50 feet from any Level 3 SES-PV Facility perimeter not abutting a private or public road unless requested to be waived by the property owner of the parcel to be screened. | 50 ft |
Setback from homesLevel 3 SES-PV100 feet from any dwelling. This setback may be waived or reduced if requested by the owner of the dwelling to be screened. | 100 ft |
Setback from homestransformer/battery facility, Level 3 SES-PV500 feet from any dwelling. | 500 ft |
Road setbackLevel 3 SES-PV50 feet from any public or private road right of way.. | 50 ft |
Road setbacktransformer/battery facility, Level 3 SES-PV250 feet from any public or private road abutting the Level 3 SES-PV Facility perimeter of or bisecting the project. | 250 ft |
Setback from major body of waterLevel 3 SES-PV500 feet from any major body of water as listed in section 10.1.2. | 500 ft |
Setback from perennial streamLevel 3 SES-PV40 feet from any perennial stream, other than those listed in Section 10.1.2, shown as part of the P-LS zoning district. | 40 ft |
Setback from ordinary high water marktransformer/battery facility, Level 3 SES-PV500 feet from the ordinary high water mark of any body of water listed in Section 10.1.2. | 500 ft |
Maximum heightLevel 3 SES-PV collection panelsLevel 3 SES-PV solar collection panels with their support structures shall not exceed 20 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt. | 20 ft |
Maximum heightLevel 3 SES-PV structuresAll other structures except those within the generation station step-up transformer facility and associated transmission towers shall be limited to thirty-five (35) feet. | 35 ft |
Noise limitLevel 3 SES-PV facility perimeterNo Level 3 SES-PV facility shall generate noise that, when measured at the Level 3 SES-PV Facility's perimeter, shall exceed 60 decibels (dBA). | 60 dBA |
Source: Cheboygan County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
6 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackDefault for Public WGA WG shall meet a setback from any adjoining lot line and any adjoining public or private road a distance equal to 1,500 feet. | 1,500 ft |
Property line setbackReduced for Public WGThe Planning Commission shall reduce this setback to the shortest distance, not less than 500 feet for a Public WG and not less than 180 feet for a Private WG, where the proposed WG meets standards 15.5.3, 15.5.4, and 15.5.5 above. | 500 ft |
Road setbackDefault for Public WGA WG shall meet a setback from any adjoining lot line and any adjoining public or private road a distance equal to 1,500 feet. | 1,500 ft |
Maximum heightPublic WGThe maximum wind generation tower height shall be 300 feet for a Public WG and 80 feet for a Private WG. | 300 ft |
Maximum heightIncreased max for Public WGThe Planning Commission shall approve an increased height for a Public WG, not to exceed 400 feet, and an increased height for a Private WG, not to exceed 110 feet, if all of the following conditions are met. | 400 ft |
Noise limitPublic WGA WG shall produce sound levels that are no more than fifty (50) decibels as measured on the dBA scale at the property lines of the site in question. | 50 dBA |
Source: Cheboygan County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Michigan state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Michigan rules and counties.
State siting: Michigan Public Service Commission
Solar of 50 MW or more, wind of 100 MW or more, and storage of 50 MW and 200 MWh or more can be certified by the state commission instead of the local government, unless every affected local unit has a compatible ordinance.
MCL 460.1222(1) (Public Act 233 of 2023). Source
Limits on local rules
To keep control of projects of 50 MW or more, a local ordinance can be no stricter than the state's setback, fencing, height and sound limits.
Public Act 233 of 2023, section 226(8). Source
Solar standards in state law
Binds solar projects of 50 MW or more that the PSC certifies, and caps any local ordinance that wants to keep siting those projects locally (a compatible ordinance can be no stricter).
| Homes (non-participating) | 300 ft |
| Public roads | 50 ft |
| Property line (non-participating) | 50 ft |
| Panel height at full tilt | 25 ft |
| Noise | 55 dBA (hourly average, at nearest non-participating dwelling) |
| Fencing | National Electrical Code |
MCL 460.1226(8)(a) (Public Act 233 of 2023). Source
Wind standards in state law
Binds wind projects of 100 MW or more that the PSC certifies, and caps any local ordinance that wants to keep siting those projects locally.
| Homes (non-participating) | 2.1 × tip height |
| Property line (non-participating) | 1.1 × tip height |
| Public roads | 1.1 × tip height (to road centerline) |
| Tip height | FAA no-hazard limit |
| Shadow flicker | 30 hours/year |
| Noise | 55 dBA (hourly average, at nearest non-participating dwelling) |
MCL 460.1226(8)(b) (Public Act 233 of 2023). Source
Every Michigan figure in one spreadsheet
873 figures from 12 counties and 108 towns and townships, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 108 of those places are not on this site. Plus the 4 moratoria and bans on file and Michigan state law.
How these figures were read
We found Cheboygan 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 Cheboygan County, MI?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 100 ft (Level 3 SES-PV) from homes, 50 ft (Level 3 SES-PV) from property lines, 50 ft (Level 3 SES-PV) from roads, 500 ft (transformer/battery facility, Level 3 SES-PV) from homes and 250 ft (transformer/battery facility, Level 3 SES-PV) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Cheboygan County, MI?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 20 ft (Level 3 SES-PV collection panels) and 35 ft (Level 3 SES-PV structures). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Cheboygan County, MI?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1,500 ft (Default for Public WG) from property lines, 1,500 ft (Default for Public WG) from roads and 500 ft (Reduced for Public WG) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.