Board tightens rules for large solar projects, adds acreage cap and tougher setback, decommissioning requirements
Rockingham County changed its zoning to require special-use permits for large solar energy facilities in certain districts, set an 1,800-acre countywide aggregate cap, per-site limits and new setbacks, buffer, viewshed, and decommissioning standards in an ordinance adopted June 24, 2026.
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Deputy Zoning Administrator Daniel J. Barnett told the Board that staff reworked OA26-0034 after the item was tabled in February and recommended changing "Solar energy facility, large" from permitted by right in certain districts to allowable only by special use permit in I-1 and PID and other listed districts.
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