Page County, Virginia solar ordinance
Solar: 2 acres (utility-scale solar facility) minimum lot. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Solar rules
11 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Setback from town boundaryutility-scale solar facilityBe located at least one (1) mile from a town boundary; | 1 mile |
Setback from other utility-scale solar facilityunless the combined acreage coverage is thirty (30) acres or lessNot be located within two (2) miles of another existing or permitted industrial/utility scale solar facility, unless the combined acreage coverage is thirty (30) acres or less. | 2 miles |
Setback from electric transmission linesconnection pointLocate the point of connection to the utility within one (1) mile of electric transmission lines. | 1 mile |
Setback from historic and cultural resourcesutility-scale solar facilityNot be located in or within three hundred (300) feet of historic and cultural resources as defined in the Comprehensive Plan. | 300 ft |
Maximum heightlowest edge of photovoltaic panelsThe maximum height of the lowest edge of the photovoltaic panels shall be 10 feet as measured from the finished grade. | 10 ft |
Maximum heightphotovoltaic panels, primary structures, battery storage systems and accessory buildingsThe maximum height of photovoltaic panels, primary structures, battery storage systems and accessory buildings shall be 15 feet as measured from the finished grade at the base of the structure to its highest point, including appurtenances. | 15 ft |
Fence heightutility-scale solar facility security fencingUtility-scale solar facilities shall be enclosed by security fencing on the interior of the buffer area (not to be seen by other properties) not less than nine (9) feet in height. | 9 ft |
Minimum lot sizeutility-scale solar facilityThe minimum area of a utility-scale solar facility shall be two (2) acres. | 2 acres |
Maximum lot coverageutility-scale solar facilityThe percent of acreage coverage shall not exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the project site. | 65% |
Maximum project sizeaggregate capCommencing on [effective date], and continuing until amended by the Board of Supervisors, no more than three hundred (300) acres of acreage coverage, in aggregate, may be approved for utility-scale solar facilities. | 300 acres |
Maximum project sizeindividual utility-scale solar facilityNo more than thirty (30) acres of acreage coverage may be approved for an individual utility-scale solar facility. | 30 acres |
Source: Page 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 Page 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
How tall can a solar farm be in Page County, VA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 10 ft (lowest edge of photovoltaic panels) and 15 ft (photovoltaic panels, primary structures, battery storage systems and accessory buildings). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What is the minimum lot size for a solar farm in Page County, VA?
The ordinance sets a minimum lot size of 2 acres (utility-scale solar facility). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.