Burleigh County, North Dakota solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 10 acres (solar farms) minimum lot. Wind: 1,750 ft from homes, 1.1 × height (interstate or state roadway right-of-way) from roads, 45 dBA (non-participating residence) noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar rules
1 figure read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Minimum lot sizesolar farmsShall be on properties of at least 10 acres in size. | 10 acres |
Source: Burleigh County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
9 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Setback from homesand at least 1750 feet from existing non-participating residences (measured from the center of the turbine monopole) | 1,750 ft |
Road setbackinterstate or state roadway right-of-wayEach wind turbine shall be set back not less than 1.1 times the height of the turbine from interstate or state roadway right-of-way. | 1.1 × height |
Road setbackcenterline of any county or township roadwayEach wind turbine shall be set back not less than 1.1 times the height of the turbine plus seventy-five (75) feet from the centerline of any county or township roadway | 1.1 × height |
Setback from park, boat ramp, swimming beach or other public recreation areaThe horizontal distance between the center of a turbine monopole and any park, boat ramp, swimming beach or other public recreation area shall not be less than one-half (½) mile (2,640 feet). | 0.5 miles |
Setback from any non-participating parcelEach wind turbine shall be set back not less than 1.1 times the height of the turbine from any non-participating parcel. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from railroad right-of-way or overhead utilityEach wind turbine shall be set back not less than 1.1 times the height of the turbine from any railroad right-of-way or from any overhead utility. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from ordinary high-water mark of Missouri River and Lake OaheEach wind turbine shall be set back not less than one (1) mile beyond the ordinary high-water mark. | 1 mile |
Setback from homes, participating ownerWind turbines shall be setback at least 3.0 times the height of the turbine from participating residences | 3 × height |
Noise limitnon-participating residenceSound levels of wind turbines within 100-feet of any non-participating residence shall not exceed 45dBA (leq). | 45 dBA |
Source: Burleigh County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
North Dakota state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All North Dakota rules and counties.
State siting: North Dakota Public Service Commission
A PSC certificate of site compatibility is required for wind over 0.5 MW, solar and other generation over 50 MW, and grid storage of 5 MW or more; it does not override county or township zoning, so the project needs both.
NDCC 49-22-03 and 49-22-07 (storage added by HB 1097 (2023)). Source
Wind standards in state law
Applies to wind projects the PSC sites (over 0.5 MW): these areas must be excluded from the site unless the neighbor agrees to a variance; counties and townships may require more.
| Homes (non-participating) | 3 × tip height |
| Property line (non-participating) | 1.1 × tip height |
| Public roads (interstate and state) | 1.1 × tip height from right-of-way |
| Public roads (county and township) | 1.1 × tip height + 75 ft from centerline |
| Railroads | 1.1 × tip height from right-of-way |
| Transmission lines (115 kV and up) | 1.1 × tip height from right-of-way |
| Noise | 45 dBA within 100 ft of a home or community building (owner may waive) |
| ICBM launch facilities | 1,200 ft |
NDCC 49-22-05.1(4); N.D. Admin. Code 69-06-08-01(1), (2), (4) (rule last amended effective Jan 1, 2022). Source
Solar standards in state law
Applies to solar projects the PSC sites (over 50 MW): homes within 500 ft are an avoidance area (usable only if there is no reasonable alternative, and the owner may waive it), and ICBM sites are excluded.
| Homes (inhabited rural residence) | 500 ft (avoidance area; owner may waive) |
| ICBM launch facilities | 1,200 ft |
NDCC 49-22-05.1(3); N.D. Admin. Code 69-06-08-01(1)(f). Source
Wind standards in state law
Applies statewide to every commercial wind facility of 500 kW or more, whether or not the PSC sited it.
| Decommissioning | Start within 12 months, finish within 24 months of abandonment or end of life |
| Decommissioning (removal depth) | Foundations to 4 ft (built on or after July 1, 2017) |
N.D. Admin. Code ch. 69-09-09 (NDCC 49-02-27; effective Oct 1, 2008, amended July 1, 2017). Source
Solar standards in state law
Applies statewide to every commercial solar facility of 500 kW or more, whether or not the PSC sited it.
| Decommissioning | Start within 12 months, finish within 24 months of abandonment or end of life |
| Decommissioning (removal depth) | Piles and foundations to 4 ft; cables to 24 in |
N.D. Admin. Code ch. 69-09-10 (NDCC 49-02-27; effective July 1, 2020). Source
Every North Dakota figure in one spreadsheet
156 figures from 16 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 1 of those places is not on this site. Plus the moratorium or ban on file and North Dakota state law.
How these figures were read
We found Burleigh 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 is the minimum lot size for a solar farm in Burleigh County, ND?
The ordinance sets a minimum lot size of 10 acres (solar farms). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Burleigh County, ND?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1,750 ft from homes, 1.1 × height (interstate or state roadway right-of-way) from roads and 1.1 × height (centerline of any county or township roadway) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.