Seneca County, Ohio solar and wind ban
Seneca County has a ban in force since November 23, 2021. It covers large solar facilities and large and economically significant wind farms.
Updated September 2026
Ban
Large solar facilities and large and economically significant wind farms
- Adopted
- November 23, 2021
- Runs to
- No end date
- Applies to
- Projects of 50 MW and up
- Scope
- SB 52 restricted area: reaches OPSB-jurisdictional projects (solar 50 MW and up) in unincorporated areas; smaller solar stays under local zoning; developers may ask the board to change the map
- Checked
- September 29, 2026
The Seneca County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Thursday morning restricting large alternative energy project development for the unincorporated areas of Seneca County.
Ohio state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Ohio rules and counties.
State siting: Ohio Power Siting Board
Solar of 50 MW or more is sited by the Ohio Power Siting Board.
Ohio Rev. Code 4906.01, 4906.10 (DOE and Berkeley Lab inventory, June 2024). Source
Solar standards in state law
Binds solar projects of 50 MW or more that the Ohio Power Siting Board certifies, for applications filed after May 30, 2024; smaller projects stay with county and township zoning.
| Homes (non-participating) | 300 ft |
| Property line (non-participating) | 50 ft |
| Public roads | 150 ft from edge of pavement |
| Noise | 5 dBA over the greater of 40 dBA or ambient (L50), within 1 mile |
| Fencing | Small-wildlife permeable, rural-looking |
Ohio Adm. Code 4906-4-09(E), (G) (effective May 30, 2024). Source
Wind standards in state law
Binds wind farms of 5 MW or more that the Ohio Power Siting Board certifies; property-line and residence setbacks can be waived by adjacent owners.
| Property line (non-participating) | 1,125 ft from blade tip to adjacent property line |
| Public roads | 1.1 × tip height |
| Noise | 5 dBA over the greater of 40 dBA or ambient (L50), within 1 mile |
| Shadow flicker | 30 hours/year |
Ohio Rev. Code 4906.20, 4906.201; Ohio Adm. Code 4906-4-08(C)(2), 4906-4-09(E), (H) (effective May 30, 2024). Source
Every Ohio figure in one spreadsheet
13 figures from 4 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 1 of those places is not on this site. Plus the 32 moratoria and bans on file and Ohio state law.
How these figures were read
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 ban in Seneca County, OH?
Seneca County has a ban in force since November 23, 2021. It covers large solar facilities and large and economically significant wind farms. Checked against the adopting document on September 29, 2026.