Charlotte County, Virginia solar ordinance
Solar: 75 ft (Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems) from property lines, 400 ft (Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems) from homes, 125 ft (Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems) from roads. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 29, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Solar rules
8 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackUtility-Scale Solar Energy Systemsa minimum setback of 75 feet from all other property lines with the exception of those property lines that are inside the project's boundaries and which do not abut property located outside the project area | 75 ft |
Setback from homesUtility-Scale Solar Energy Systemsa minimum of 400’ from all off-site residential structures. | 400 ft |
Road setbackUtility-Scale Solar Energy Systemsa minimum setback of 125 feet from the center line of any state maintained road abutting the property | 125 ft |
Setback from town boundaryUtility Scale Solar Energy SystemAbsent specific authorization by the Board of Supervisors as part of a Conditional Use Permit, no Utility Scale Solar Energy System shall be located within one (1) mile of an existing town boundary. | 1 mile |
Maximum heightground mounted Solar Energy Systems & equipmentSolar Energy Systems & equipment shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height when ground mounted as measured from the highest grade at the base to the top of structure. | 25 ft |
Fence heightUtility Scale Solar Energy SystemsUtility Scale Solar Energy Systems shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than six (6) feet in height equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device. | 6 ft |
Maximum project sizeland area in any given five mile radiusAbsent specific authorization by the Board of Supervisors as part of a Conditional use Permit, no more than three percent (3%) of the land area in any given five mile radius shall be approved for use as the project area for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems. | 3% |
Noise limitUtility Scale Solar Energy Systems measured at property lineAfter completion of construction, noise levels measured at the property line shall not exceed 50 dbA, unless the owner of the affected adjacent property has given written agreement to a higher level. | 50 dBA |
Source: Charlotte County ordinance (PDF), read September 29, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Virginia state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Virginia rules and counties.
State siting: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; State Corporation Commission
Projects up to 150 MW can use a permit by rule from the Department of Environmental Quality. Larger ones may need a certificate from the State Corporation Commission. Local approval is also needed.
Va. Code Ann. 10.1-1197.5, 56-265.2 (DOE and Berkeley Lab inventory, June 2024). Source
Limits on local rules
For ground-mounted solar of 1 MW or more serving other property, counties must use a special exception or siting agreement whose setbacks, screening and height stay within state ranges; a county can still deny the application, and can depart from the ranges only by written agreement with the landowner and applicant.
Va. Code 15.2-2288.8(A) (2026 Acts cc. 1005, 1068). Source
Solar standards in state law
Applies to ground-mounted solar of 1 MW or more that serves other property; each county must write its special-exception rules within these ranges (picking any number inside a range), may still deny a project, and may agree looser terms in a siting agreement.
| Homes (non-participating) | 150 to 200 ft |
| Schools, churches, community buildings | 150 to 200 ft |
| Public roads | 50 to 100 ft from roadbed edge |
| Property line (non-participating) | 50 to 75 ft |
| Wetlands and perennial streams | 50 ft (25 MW or less), 100 ft (over 25 MW) |
| Wetlands and streams in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas | 100 to 125 ft |
| Panel height at full tilt | 25 ft |
| Screening buffer width | 25 to 50 ft wide; plants need not exceed 3 ft at planting |
| Vegetative ground cover | Up to 75% may be required |
| Decommissioning | Agreement plus financial assurance; estimate updated every 5 years |
Va. Code 15.2-2288.8(A) (2026 Acts cc. 1005, 1068); 15.2-2241.2. Source
Every Virginia figure in one spreadsheet
238 figures from 32 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 5 of those places are not on this site. Plus the moratorium or ban on file and Virginia state law.
How these figures were read
We found Charlotte 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 Charlotte County, VA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 125 ft (Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems) from roads, 75 ft (Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems) from property lines and 400 ft (Utility-Scale Solar Energy Systems) from homes. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Charlotte County, VA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 25 ft (ground mounted Solar Energy Systems & equipment). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.