Clinton County, Michigan solar ordinance
Clinton County had a moratorium that has lapsed. It covered utility-scale solar and wind projects, one year. Solar: 16 ft maximum height, 45 dBA noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Moratorium
Utility-scale solar and wind projects, one year
- Runs to
- No end date found
- Checked
- October 7, 2026
OR 187-23 Zoning Ordinance Amendment – One-Year Moratorium (Utility-Scale Solar & Wind Projects)
Solar 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 setbackInvertersInverters shall be set back at least 450 feet from the property line in all cases. | 450 ft |
Road setbackAgricultural Zoning Districts (A-1, A-2, A-3) and MR Zoning Districtand 300 feet from all public road rights-of-way measured from the nearest boundary of the public right-of-way. | 300 ft |
Road setbackpublic road-right-of-way is a limited-access state or federal highwayor if the public road-right-of-way is a limited-access state or federal highway, then the Utility-Scale Solar Energy System shall be set back 100 feet. | 100 ft |
Setback from wetland, shoreline, or drainUtility-Scale Solar Energy Systems shall be set back at least 100 feet from the edge of any wetland, shoreline, or drain. | 100 ft |
Maximum heightThe height of the Utility-Scale Solar Energy System and any mounts, buildings, accessory structures, and related equipment shall not exceed 16 feet when oriented at maximum tilt. | 16 ft |
Maximum heightlot is used for grazing by farm animalsThe Planning Commission may allow a height of up to 20 feet if the applicant establishes that the lot is used for grazing by farm animals in a manner that requires increasing the height limit. | 20 ft |
Fence heightFencing shall be at least seven feet tall and be composed of woven agricultural wire. | 7 ft |
Noise limitShould the background (ambient) sound study result in a sound level at or below 45 dBA (55 dBC) Leq 1 second, then the noise generated by the Utlility Scale Solar Energy System shall not result in an ambient sound measurement exceeding 45 dBA (55 dBC) Leq 1 second as described herein. | 45 dBA |
Decommissioning bondSecurity for the cost of decommissioningSecurity for the cost of decommissioning shall be in the amount of 125% of the cost of decommissioning | 125% |
Source: Clinton 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
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 Clinton 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 and wind moratorium in Clinton County, MI?
Clinton County had a moratorium that has lapsed. It covered utility-scale solar and wind projects, one year. Checked against the adopting document on October 7, 2026.
What are the solar setbacks in Clinton County, MI?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 300 ft (Agricultural Zoning Districts (A-1, A-2, A-3) and MR Zoning District) from roads, 100 ft (public road-right-of-way is a limited-access state or federal highway) from roads and 450 ft (Inverters) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Clinton County, MI?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 16 ft and 20 ft (lot is used for grazing by farm animals). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.