Lewis County, Washington solar, wind and battery storage ordinance
Solar: 20 ft maximum height, 10 acres (at least one parcel shall be at least 10 acres in size) minimum lot. Wind: 55 dBA noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 8, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Solar rules
2 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Maximum heightAll equipment associated with the facility shall not exceed a maximum of 20 feet in height as measured from grade at the base of the equipment to its highest point during operation | 20 ft |
Minimum lot sizeat least one parcel shall be at least 10 acres in sizeAll equipment associated with the facility may occupy a single parcel, or combination or parcels under common ownership, of which at least one parcel shall be at least 10 acres in size. | 10 acres |
Source: Lewis County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
2 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Maximum heightIn Urban Growth Areas, except Major Industrial Districts (MID)In Urban Growth Areas, except Major Industrial Districts (MID), wind turbines shall not exceed a total height of 75 feet as measured from the ground at grade level at the tower to the tip of the rotor blade when extended vertically and rotors shall not exceed 30 feet in diameter. | 75 ft |
Noise limitAudible sound due to operations shall not exceed 55 dBA for any period of time, when measured at the outer property line of any abutting property. | 55 dBA |
Source: Lewis County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Battery storage rules
4 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackBe located at least 100 feet from any adjacent parcel and located at least 200 feet away from any adjacent parcel where residential development is permitted. | 100 ft |
Fence heightBESS facilities and equipment shall be completely enclosed by a secure fence that consists of a fence at least eight (8) feet high with a locking gate. | 8 ft |
Noise limitat the outside wall of any non-participating residence or occupied community buildingThe [1-hour] average noise generated from the battery energy storage systems, components, and associated ancillary equipment shall not exceed a noise level of 55 dBA as measured at the outside wall of any non-participating residence or occupied community building. | 55 dBA |
Decommissioning bondof the engineer’s estimated costThe decommissioning funds shall be equivalent to 125% of the engineer’s estimated cost for the purpose of guaranteeing completion of the work. | 125% |
Source: Lewis County ordinance (PDF), read October 8, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Washington state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Washington rules and counties.
State siting: Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC)
Wind, solar and other alternative energy projects of any size, and storage facilities, may opt in to state certification by EFSEC instead of local permits; projects that do not opt in are permitted by the county.
RCW 80.50.060(1)(b) (as amended through 2026 c 244). Source
Limits on local rules
On the state route, the council can set aside local laws.
RCW 80.50.090, 80.50.100 (DOE and Berkeley Lab inventory, June 2024). Source
Wind standards in state law
Applies to projects EFSEC certifies, which must meet the state's environmental noise limits (set by land class: an industrial or farm source may reach 60 dBA at homes by day and 50 dBA at night); the same Ecology limits apply statewide to any noise source.
| Noise | 60 dBA day, 50 dBA night (10 pm to 7 am) at homes from an industrial or farm-land source |
WAC 463-62-030 (amended WSR 25-12-020, effective June 22, 2025), adopting WAC 173-60-040. Source
Solar standards in state law
Applies to projects EFSEC certifies, which must meet the state's environmental noise limits (set by land class: an industrial or farm source may reach 60 dBA at homes by day and 50 dBA at night); the same Ecology limits apply statewide to any noise source.
| Noise | 60 dBA day, 50 dBA night (10 pm to 7 am) at homes from an industrial or farm-land source |
WAC 463-62-030 (amended WSR 25-12-020, effective June 22, 2025), adopting WAC 173-60-040. Source
Every Washington figure in one spreadsheet
29 figures from 5 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. Plus the moratorium or ban on file and Washington state law.
How these figures were read
We found Lewis 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 Lewis County, WA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 20 ft. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What is the minimum lot size for a solar farm in Lewis County, WA?
The ordinance sets a minimum lot size of 10 acres (at least one parcel shall be at least 10 acres in size). Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the battery storage setbacks in Lewis County, WA?
The county's ordinance sets battery storage back 100 ft from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.