Sioux County, Nebraska solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 100 ft (Class 2 CSECS) from property lines, 330 ft (Class 2 CSECS) from homes, 100 ft (Class 2 CSECS) from roads. Wind: 115% (total estimated cost of decommissioning) decommissioning bond. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar rules
13 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackClass 2 CSECSFrom Non-Participating Property: CSECS shall maintain a minimum of one hundred (100) feet between any solar panel and the property line of a non-participating property. | 100 ft |
Property line setbackClass 3 CSECSFrom Non-Participating Property Line: CSECS shall maintain a one-hundred (100) feet setback between any solar panel and the property line of a non-participating property. | 100 ft |
Setback from homesClass 2 CSECSFrom Non-Participating Existing Occupied Dwelling: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback of 330 feet (1/16 mile) between any solar panel and an occupied dwelling on a non-participating parcel. | 330 ft |
Setback from homesClass 3 CSECSFrom Non-Participating Existing Occupied Dwelling: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback of 660 feet between any solar panel and an occupied dwelling on a non-participating parcel. | 660 ft |
Road setbackClass 2 CSECSFrom Public Road: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback distance from any public road of at least one hundred (100) feet measured from the adjacent edge of the public road or highway right of way to the nearest solar panel. | 100 ft |
Road setbackClass 3 CSECSFrom Public Road: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback distance between any solar panel and any public road of at least one-hundred (100) feet measured from the adjacent edge of the public road or highway right of way to the nearest solar panel. | 100 ft |
Setback from property line of a Church, Public Park or Public SchoolClass 2 CSECSFrom Property Line of a Property with a Church, Public Park or Public School: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback of 660 feet (1/8 mile) between the nearest solar panel and the property line. | 660 ft |
Setback from Agate National Fossil BedsClass 2 CSECSAgate National Fossil Beds: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback of 1,320 ft (1/4 mile) between the nearest solar panel and the property line. | 1,320 ft |
Setback from property line of a Church, Public Park or Public SchoolClass 3 CSECSFrom Property Line of a Property with a Church, Public Park or Public School: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback of 1,320 feet (1/4 mile) between the nearest solar panel and the property line. | 1,320 ft |
Setback from Agate National Fossil BedsClass 3 CSECSAgate National Fossil Beds: CSECS shall maintain a minimum setback of 2,640 ft (1/2 mile) between the nearest solar panel and the property line. | 2,640 ft |
Minimum lot sizeClass 2 CSECS1. Located on a lot or parcel of at least three (3) acres. | 3 acres |
Minimum lot sizeClass 3 CSECS1. Located on a lot or parcel or lots or parcels collectively of at least twenty (20) acres. | 20 acres |
Noise limitClass 2 and 3 CSECS at nearest structure occupied by a Non-ParticipantNo CSECS shall exceed 55 dBA 10-minute leq at the nearest structure occupied by a Non- Participant. | 55 dBA |
Source: Sioux County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
3 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Noise limitat nearest structure occupied by humans on a Non-Participating ParcelNo Commercial WECS, exclusive of unrelated background noise, shall generate a sound pressure level (10-minute equivalent continuous sound level, Leq) which exceeds 35 dBA at the nearest structure occupied by humans on a Non-Participating Parcel | 35 dBA |
Noise limitat nearest structure occupied by humans on a Participating Parcelor which exceeds 50 dBA at the nearest structure occupied by humans on a Participating Parcel. | 50 dBA |
Decommissioning bondtotal estimated cost of decommissioningPrior to commencing construction, Applicant shall post a bond guaranteeing 115 percent of the total estimated cost of decommissioning net of salvage value as determined by subparagraph A above. | 115% |
Source: Sioux County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 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 Sioux 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 Sioux County, NE?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 100 ft (Class 2 CSECS) from roads, 100 ft (Class 2 CSECS) from property lines, 330 ft (Class 2 CSECS) from homes, 100 ft (Class 3 CSECS) from roads and 100 ft (Class 3 CSECS) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What is the minimum lot size for a solar farm in Sioux County, NE?
The ordinance sets a minimum lot size of 3 acres (Class 2 CSECS) and 20 acres (Class 3 CSECS). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.