Surry County, Virginia solar ordinance
Solar: 300 ft (utility-scale projects) from property lines, 300 ft (utility-scale projects) from roads, 18 ft (Ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities) maximum height. 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 projectsThe 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 setbackutility-scale projectsThe 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 |
Setback from electric transmission linescentroid of such facilitiesthe centroid of such facilities shall be within one ‐ mile of existing high ‐ voltage electric transmission lines. | 1 mile |
Setback from airportutility-scale projectsThese facilities shall not be located within one mile of an airport unless the applicant submits, as part of its application, written certification from the Federal Aviation Administration | 1 mile |
Maximum heightGround-mounted solar energy generation facilitiesGround ‐ mounted solar energy generation facilities shall not exceed a height of 18 feet, measured from the highest natural grade below each solar panel. | 18 ft |
Fence heightutility-scale projectsSuch fencing shall enclose the project area at least six feet in height and be equipped with appropriate anticlimbing devices | 6 ft |
Maximum project sizedevelopable land within the Countythe total approved utility ‐ scale solar generation facilities shall not exceed 7 percent of developable land within the County or 10,695 acres in total. | 7% |
Maximum project sizethe total approved utility ‐ scale solar generation facilities shall not exceed 7 percent of developable land within the County or 10,695 acres in total. | 10,695 acres |
Source: Surry 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 Surry 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 Surry County, VA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 300 ft (utility-scale projects) from property lines and 300 ft (utility-scale projects) from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Surry County, VA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 18 ft (Ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.