Eaton County, Michigan solar ordinance
Solar: 100 ft (Large Solar Energy System) from property lines, 100 ft (Large Solar Energy System) from roads, 16 ft (Solar Array or collection device) maximum height. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar 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 setbackLarge Solar Energy SystemLarge Solar Energy System: All buildings and Solar Arrays shall have a minimum setback distance of one hundred (100) feet from any existing public or private road rights-of-way and all other exterior property lines. | 100 ft |
Property line setbackLarge Solar Energy System where surrounding property is zoned Commercial or IndustrialIf property surrounding a Large Solar Energy System is zoned Commercial or Industrial, the Planning Commission may allow for a lesser setback down to twenty-five (25) feet. | 25 ft |
Road setbackLarge Solar Energy SystemLarge Solar Energy System: All buildings and Solar Arrays shall have a minimum setback distance of one hundred (100) feet from any existing public or private road rights-of-way and all other exterior property lines. | 100 ft |
Maximum heightSolar Array or collection deviceMaximum height of a Solar Array, other collection device, components or buildings of the Large or Medium Solar Energy System, excluding substation and electrical transmission equipment, shall not exceed sixteen (16) feet | 16 ft |
Maximum heightSubstation and electrical equipmentSubstation and electrical equipment shall not exceed one hundred (100) feet. | 100 ft |
Source: Eaton 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 Eaton 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 Eaton County, MI?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 100 ft (Large Solar Energy System) from roads, 100 ft (Large Solar Energy System) from property lines and 25 ft (Large Solar Energy System where surrounding property is zoned Commercial or Industrial) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Eaton County, MI?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 16 ft (Solar Array or collection device) and 100 ft (Substation and electrical equipment). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.