Dawson County, Nebraska solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 12 ft (average height of solar panel arrays) maximum height. Wind: 1.5 × height (Commercial/Utility WECS from property lines) from property lines, 2,000 ft (Commercial/Utility WECS from neighboring dwelling units) from homes, 1.5 × height (Commercial/Utility WECS from road rights-of-way) from roads. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 29, 2026.
Updated September 2026
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 setbackside and rear setback from a lot line that abuts a residential use or residential zoning districtA thirty-foot side and rear setback shall apply only to the setback area measured from a lot line that abuts a residential use or residential zoning district. | 30 ft |
Maximum heightaverage height of solar panel arraysHeight: The average height of the solar panel arrays shall not exceed 12 feet. | 12 ft |
Fence heightFencing: Due the unique security requirements of this land use, and to facilitate the educational value of seeing this land use, fencing up to eight (8) feet in height is permitted provided the fencing material is predominantly open. | 8 ft |
Maximum lot coveragegross site area occupied by enclosed buildings and structuresLot coverage: No more than one percent of the gross site area shall be occupied by enclosed buildings and structures. | 1% |
Source: Dawson County ordinance (PDF), read September 29, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
7 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackCommercial/Utility WECS from property linesProperty Lines 1.5 times the hub height plus the rotor diameter | 1.5 × height |
Setback from homesCommercial/Utility WECS from neighboring dwelling unitsNeighboring Dwelling Units* 2,000 ft. | 2,000 ft |
Road setbackCommercial/Utility WECS from road rights-of-wayRoad Rights - of - Way** 1.5 times the hub height plus the rotor diameter | 1.5 × height |
Setback from wetlandsCommercial/Utility WECSWetlands, USFW Types III, IV, and V 600 ft. or a distance established by any state or Federal agency. | 600 ft |
Setback from other structuresCommercial/Utility WECSOther structures not on the applicant’s site 1.1 times the total height | 1.1 × height |
Setback from river bluffsCommercial/Utility WECS from bluffs of over 15 feetRiver Bluffs of over 15 feet 1.1 times the total height | 1.1 × height |
Noise limitat the nearest structure occupied by humansNo Commercial/Utility WECS shall exceed 50 dbas at the nearest structure occupied by humans. | 50 dBA |
Source: Dawson County ordinance (PDF), read September 29, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Nebraska state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Nebraska rules and counties.
State siting: Nebraska Power Review Board
New generation needs Power Review Board approval, but privately developed renewable projects are exempt if they file a request with the board before building.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 70-1012, 70-1014.02 (DOE and Berkeley Lab inventory, June 2024). Source
Every Nebraska figure in one spreadsheet
189 figures from 23 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 1 of those places is not on this site. Plus the 8 moratoria and bans on file and Nebraska state law.
How these figures were read
We found Dawson 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 Dawson County, NE?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 30 ft (side and rear setback from a lot line that abuts a residential use or residential zoning district) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Dawson County, NE?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 12 ft (average height of solar panel arrays). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Dawson County, NE?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1.5 × height (Commercial/Utility WECS from property lines) from property lines, 2,000 ft (Commercial/Utility WECS from neighboring dwelling units) from homes and 1.5 × height (Commercial/Utility WECS from road rights-of-way) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.