Greene County, Virginia solar ordinance
Solar: 300 ft (adjacent property lines) from property lines, 300 ft (public rights-of-way) from roads, 12 ft (ground-mounted solar) maximum height. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Solar rules
5 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackadjacent property linesThe project area shall be set back at least 300 feet from all abutting public rights-of-way and main buildings on adjoining parcels, and from adjacent property lines. | 300 ft |
Road setbackpublic rights-of-wayThe project area shall be set back at least 300 feet from all abutting public rights-of-way and main buildings on adjoining parcels, and from adjacent property lines. | 300 ft |
Maximum heightground-mounted solarGround-mounted solar energy generation facilities shall not exceed a height of 12 feet, measured from the highest natural grade below each solar panel. | 12 ft |
Fence heightSuch fencing shall enclose the project area at least six feet in height and be equipped with appropriate anticlimbing devices | 6 ft |
Decommissioning bondThe amount of the surety required shall be 100 percent of the estimated decommissioning costs. | 100% |
Source: Greene County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 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 Greene 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 Greene County, VA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 300 ft (public rights-of-way) from roads and 300 ft (adjacent property lines) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Greene County, VA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 12 ft (ground-mounted solar). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.