{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2288.7.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2288.7.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2288.7.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2288.7.html"}],"law_id":63216,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63216,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2288.7","catch_line":"Local regulation of solar facilities","history":"2018, cc. 495, 496.","full_text":"A\n\nAn owner of a residential dwelling unit may install a solar facility on the roof of such dwelling to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned residential shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned residential, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.B\n\nAn owner of real property zoned agricultural may install a solar facility on the roof of a residential dwelling on such property, or on the roof of another building or structure on such property, to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned agricultural and to be operated under § 56-594 or 56-594.2 shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as otherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned agricultural, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.C\n\nAn owner of real property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional may install a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as otherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.D\n\nAn owner of real property zoned mixed-use may install a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned mixed-use shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned mixed-use, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.E\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts or agreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use of real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions of condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345, the cooperative instruments of a cooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100 et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association created pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800 et seq.).F\n\nA locality, by ordinance, may provide by-right authority for installation of solar facilities in any zoning classification in addition to that provided in this section. A locality may also, by ordinance, require a property owner or an applicant for a permit pursuant to the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) who removes solar panels to dispose of such panels in accordance with such ordinance in addition to other applicable laws and regulations affecting such disposal.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":230469,"text":"An owner of a residential dwelling unit may install a solar facility on the roof of such dwelling to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned residential shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned residential, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":230470,"text":"An owner of real property zoned agricultural may install a solar facility on the roof of a residential dwelling on such property, or on the roof of another building or structure on such property, to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned agricultural and to be operated under § 56-594 or 56-594.2 shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as otherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned agricultural, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":230471,"text":"An owner of real property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional may install a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as otherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":230472,"text":"An owner of real property zoned mixed-use may install a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned mixed-use shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned mixed-use, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":230473,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts or agreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use of real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions of condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345, the cooperative instruments of a cooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100 et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association created pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":230474,"text":"A locality, by ordinance, may provide by-right authority for installation of solar facilities in any zoning classification in addition to that provided in this section. A locality may also, by ordinance, require a property owner or an applicant for a permit pursuant to the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) who removes solar panels to dispose of such panels in accordance with such ordinance in addition to other applicable laws and regulations affecting such disposal.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12775,"edition_id":1,"name":"Zoning","identifier":"7","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12774,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":155213,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12775,"identifier":"7","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12774,"edition_id":1,"name":"Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning","identifier":"22","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":154795,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12774,"identifier":"22","token":"15.2\/II\/22","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56618,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2280","catch_line":"Zoning ordinances generally","url":"\/15.2-2280\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2280","metadata":false},{"id":56632,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2281","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of localities","url":"\/15.2-2281\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2281","metadata":false},{"id":72266,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2282","catch_line":"Regulations to be uniform","url":"\/15.2-2282\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2282","metadata":false},{"id":73825,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2283","catch_line":"Purpose of zoning ordinances","url":"\/15.2-2283\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2283","metadata":false},{"id":70348,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2283.1","catch_line":"Prohibition of sexual offender treatment office in residentially zoned subdivision","url":"\/15.2-2283.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2283.1","metadata":false},{"id":55641,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2284","catch_line":"Matters to be considered in drawing and applying zoning ordinances and districts","url":"\/15.2-2284\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2284","metadata":false},{"id":62867,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2285","catch_line":"Preparation and adoption of zoning ordinance and map and amendments thereto; 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local regulation of certain activities","url":"\/15.2-2288.6\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2288.6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":82084,"structure_id":12775,"section_number":"15.2-2288.8","catch_line":"Special exceptions for solar photovoltaic projects","url":"\/15.2-2288.8\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2288.8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2288.7\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2018. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 495<\/a> and 496<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80994,"section_number":"58.1-2606.1","catch_line":"Local taxation for solar photovoltaic projects five megawatts or less","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-2606.1\/"},{"id":76621,"section_number":"58.1-3661","catch_line":"Certified solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices and certified recycling equipment, facilities, or devices","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3661\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":73526,"section_number":"15.2-2306","catch_line":"Preservation of historical sites and architectural areas; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2306\/"},{"id":78167,"section_number":"36-97","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-97\/"},{"id":55467,"section_number":"54.1-2345","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2345\/"},{"id":65321,"section_number":"55.1-1800","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1800\/"},{"id":55215,"section_number":"55.1-1900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1900\/"},{"id":58909,"section_number":"55.1-2100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2100\/"},{"id":76060,"section_number":"56-594","catch_line":"Net energy metering provisions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-594\/"},{"id":78424,"section_number":"56-594.2","catch_line":"Small agricultural generators","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-594.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":155299,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63216,"identifier":"15.2-2288.7","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2288.7","url":"\/15.2-2288.7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2288.7\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7\/15.2-2288.7","dublin_core":{"Title":"Local regulation of solar facilities","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2288.7","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> An owner of a residential dwelling unit may install a solar facility on the roof of such dwelling to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance<\/span> provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned residential shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned residential, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning<\/span> regulations of the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> An owner of real property zoned agricultural may install a solar facility on the roof of a residential dwelling on such property, or on the roof of another building or structure on such property, to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance<\/span> provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned agricultural and to be operated under § 56-594<\/a> or 56-594.2<\/a> shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Except as otherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned agricultural, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning<\/span> regulations of the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> An owner of real property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional may install a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance<\/span> provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Except as otherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning<\/span> regulations of the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> An owner of real property zoned mixed-use may install a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance<\/span> provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned mixed-use shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning<\/span> district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306<\/a> where such property is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned mixed-use, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning<\/span> regulations of the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts<\/span> or agreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use of real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions of condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900<\/a> et seq.), the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345<\/a>, the cooperative instruments of a cooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100<\/a> et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association created pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> A locality<\/span>, by ordinance<\/span>, may provide by-right authority for installation of solar facilities in any zoning<\/span> classification in addition to that provided in this section. A locality<\/span> may also, by ordinance<\/span>, require a property owner or an applicant for a permit pursuant to the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.) who removes solar panels<\/span> to dispose of such panels<\/span> in accordance with such ordinance<\/span> in addition to other applicable laws<\/span> and regulations affecting such disposal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLOCAL REGULATION OF SOLAR FACILITIES (\u00a7 15.2-2288.7)\n\nA. An owner of a residential dwelling unit may install a solar facility on the\nroof of such dwelling to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that\ndwelling, provided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height\nand setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located\nand (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic,\narchitectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to\n§ 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance\nprovides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be\nlocated on property zoned residential shall be permitted, provided that such\ninstallation is (a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in\nthe zoning district where such property is located and (b) in compliance with\nany provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or\ncorridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such\nproperty is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility\nproposed on property zoned residential, including any solar facility that is\ndesigned to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property\nother than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to\nany applicable zoning regulations of the locality.\n\nB. An owner of real property zoned agricultural may install a solar facility on\nthe roof of a residential dwelling on such property, or on the roof of another\nbuilding or structure on such property, to serve the electricity or thermal\nneeds of that property upon which such facilities are located, provided that\nsuch installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback requirements\nin the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in compliance\nwith any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural\npreservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to §\n15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides\notherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on\nproperty zoned agricultural and to be operated under § 56-594 or 56-594.2\nshall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in compliance with\nany height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property\nis located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to any local\nhistoric, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district adopted\npursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as otherwise\nprovided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned\nagricultural, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves,\nthe electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where\nsuch facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning\nregulations of the locality.\n\nC. An owner of real property zoned commercial, industrial, or institutional may\ninstall a solar facility on the roof of one or more buildings located on such\nproperty to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that property upon which\nsuch facilities are located, provided that such installation is (i) in\ncompliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where\nsuch property is located and (ii) in compliance with any provisions pertaining\nto any local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection\ndistrict adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located.\nUnless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy\ngeneration facility to be located on property zoned commercial, industrial, or\ninstitutional shall be permitted, provided that such installation is (a) in\ncompliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where\nsuch property is located and (b) in compliance with any provisions pertaining to\nany local historic, architectural preservation, or corridor protection district\nadopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such property is located. Except as\notherwise provided herein, any other solar facility proposed on property zoned\ncommercial, industrial, or institutional, including any solar facility that is\ndesigned to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property\nother than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to\nany applicable zoning regulations of the locality.\n\nD. An owner of real property zoned mixed-use may install a solar facility on the\nroof of one or more buildings located on such property to serve the electricity\nor thermal needs of that property upon which such facilities are located,\nprovided that such installation is (i) in compliance with any height and setback\nrequirements in the zoning district where such property is located and (ii) in\ncompliance with any provisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural\npreservation, or corridor protection district adopted pursuant to §\n15.2-2306 where such property is located. Unless a local ordinance provides\notherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on\nproperty zoned mixed-use shall be permitted, provided that such installation is\n(a) in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning\ndistrict where such property is located and (b) in compliance with any\nprovisions pertaining to any local historic, architectural preservation, or\ncorridor protection district adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2306 where such\nproperty is located. Except as provided herein, any other solar facility\nproposed on property zoned mixed-use, including any solar facility that is\ndesigned to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property\nother than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to\nany applicable zoning regulations of the locality.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts or\nagreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use\nof real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions\nof condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia\nCondominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), the declaration of a common interest\ncommunity as defined in § 54.1-2345, the cooperative instruments of a\ncooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§\n55.1-2100 et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association\ncreated pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800\net seq.).\n\nF. A locality, by ordinance, may provide by-right authority for installation of\nsolar facilities in any zoning classification in addition to that provided in\nthis section. A locality may also, by ordinance, require a property owner or an\napplicant for a permit pursuant to the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§\n36-97 et seq.) who removes solar panels to dispose of such panels in accordance\nwith such ordinance in addition to other applicable laws and regulations\naffecting such disposal.\n\nHISTORY: 2018, cc. 495, 496.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}