Washington County, Virginia solar ordinance
Solar: 50 ft (non-participating property) from property lines, 100 ft (inhabitant residence) from homes, 100 ft from roads. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 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 setbacknon-participating propertythe perimeter of the system shall be located at least fifty (50) feet from the property line of any adjoining parcel owned by any landowner other than the owner of the parcel on which the solar facility is being proposed | 50 ft |
Setback from homesinhabitant residenceat least one hundred (100) feet from the nearest inhabitant residence at the time of the initial application | 100 ft |
Road setbackat least one hundred (100) feet from the nearest road. | 100 ft |
Maximum heightthe height of the structures and arrays in the system shall be ground mounted and not exceed fifteen (15) feet as measured from grade at the base of the structure to the apex of the structure | 15 ft |
Fence heightminimumThe solar facility shall be enclosed around the perimeter by a security fence with a minimum height of six (6) feet with an appropriate anti-climbing device. | 6 ft |
Noise limitInverter noise shall not exceed fifty (50) dBA, measured at the facility property line. | 50 dBA |
Source: Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, VA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 50 ft (non-participating property) from property lines, 100 ft (inhabitant residence) from homes 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 Washington County, VA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 15 ft. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.