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Walworth County raises small-solar threshold in zoning code to 100 kW
Summary
The County Board approved Ord. No. 1392-02/26 to amend Section 65-119 of the county code, increasing the rated capacity threshold for solar systems requiring a conditional use permit from 12.5 kW to 100 kW; the County Zoning Agency had recommended the change 6-0.
Walworth County supervisors on Feb. 10 unanimously approved an amendment to the county zoning code that increases the rated capacity of solar photovoltaic systems that may be installed without a conditional use permit.
The board adopted Ord. No. 1392-02/26 to amend Section 65-119 (Renewable Energy) of the Walworth County Code of Ordinances, raising the threshold from 12.5 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts. Supervisor Brian Holt moved to approve the ordinance, and Supervisor Joanne Laufenberg seconded the motion. The County Zoning Agency recommended the change 6-0 following a Jan. 15 public hearing.
Supporters of the amendment said it will reduce permitting burdens for modest commercial and larger residential rooftop arrays; opponents were not recorded in the minutes. Corporation Counsel and Director of Land Use Resource Management Michael Cotter was present during the zoning discussion and confirmed the ordinance amendment was included in the original motion presented to the board.
The ordinance change means many systems sized up to 100 kW will no longer require the conditional use permit process under the county code. The board approved the amendment by voice vote. The County Zoning Agency's public-hearing record and the ordinance number will be used for implementation and any future policy refinements.
