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Sumter County grants first reading to tighter solar‑farm rules, including 200‑ft setbacks and 125% decommissioning surety
Summary
On Nov. 14 Sumter County Council granted first reading to OA‑23‑01, an ordinance that would make large ground‑mounted solar facilities a special exception use, require 200‑foot setbacks, 50‑ft evergreen buffers, and recorded decommissioning plans backed by surety equal to 125% of estimated removal costs.
Sumter County Council on Nov. 14 granted first reading to ordinance OA‑23‑01, which would change how the county regulates large photovoltaic solar facilities and some accessory solar systems.
Planning Director Helen Roodman told council the proposal would make primary ground‑mounted solar energy systems (NAICS 221114) a special exception in the Agricultural Conservation, Conservation Preservation, Light Industrial‑Warehouse and Heavy Industrial districts, while accessory photovoltaic systems would be processed as a staff‑level conditional use. Roodman said the intent is to balance large‑scale solar development with protection of community character and to provide notice and an opportunity for nearby property…
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