Rockbridge County, Virginia solar ordinance
Solar: 100 ft from property lines, 100 ft from roads, 12 ft (finished grade to the top of the solar panel) maximum height. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 7, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar rules
6 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackThe solar panel zone, equipment, and accessory structures shall be set back a minimum distance of one hundred (100) feet from all property lines and/or from the edge of public rights-of-ways. | 100 ft |
Road setbackThe solar panel zone, equipment, and accessory structures shall be set back a minimum distance of one hundred (100) feet from all property lines and/or from the edge of public rights-of-ways. | 100 ft |
Maximum heightfinished grade to the top of the solar panelThe maximum allowable height for a solar panel is twelve (12) feet from finished grade to the top of the solar panel when at maximum tilt. | 12 ft |
Maximum heightmaximum height of a solar arrayIn no case shall the maximum height of a solar array exceed fifteen (15) feet. | 15 ft |
Fence heightThe facility area containing equipment, panels, and/or supporting accessory structures shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than six (6) feet in height. | 6 ft |
Noise limitAudible sound from a solar energy system shall not exceed 60 dBA (A-weighted decibels), as measured from any adjoining non-participating landowner’s property line. | 60 dBA |
Source: Rockbridge County ordinance (PDF), read October 7, 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 Rockbridge 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 Rockbridge County, VA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 100 ft from property lines and 100 ft from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Rockbridge County, VA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 12 ft (finished grade to the top of the solar panel) and 15 ft (maximum height of a solar array). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.