Okanogan County, Washington solar and wind ordinance
Solar: 100 ft (off-site residence) from homes, 20 ft maximum height. Wind: 1.1 × height (nonparticipating landowner) from property lines, 1.1 × height (minimum nonwaivable residential setbacks) from homes. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 29, 2026.
Updated September 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 |
|---|---|
Setback from homesoff-site residenceAdditionally, in no case shall any component of a solar energy facility be constructed within 100-feet of any off-site residence. | 100 ft |
Maximum heightMaximum structure height for the solar array shall be 20-feet as measured from the highest existing native grade below each panel. | 20 ft |
Source: Okanogan County ordinance (PDF), read September 29, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wind rules
3 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbacknonparticipating landownerThere shall be a minimum distance of 1.1 times the heigh of the wind turbine generator away from the property line of any nonparticipating landowner, measured from the ground to the maximum extent of the turbine blade. | 1.1 × height |
Setback from homesminimum nonwaivable residential setbacksWind energy turbine towers shall be sited a minimum of 1.1 times the height of the wind turbine generator away from existing residential structures | 1.1 × height |
Setback from homesnonconsenting, nonparticipating landownersFor all nonconsenting, nonparticipating landowners, commercial wind energy turbine towers shall be set back a minimum distance of four times the maximum height of the turbine, measured to blade tip at its maximum elevation, from the nonparticipating landowner's residence. | 4 × height |
Source: Okanogan County ordinance (PDF), read September 29, 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 Okanogan 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 Okanogan County, WA?
The county's ordinance sets solar facilities back 100 ft (off-site residence) from homes. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
How tall can a solar farm be in Okanogan County, WA?
The ordinance sets a maximum height of 20 ft. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Okanogan County, WA?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1.1 × height (minimum nonwaivable residential setbacks) from homes, 4 × height (nonconsenting, nonparticipating landowners) from homes and 1.1 × height (nonparticipating landowner) from property lines. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.