                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EFFECT OF EXECUTED SITING AGREEMENT; LAND USE APPROVAL (§ 15.2-2316.9)

A. Nothing in this article shall be construed to exempt an applicant from any
other applicable requirements to obtain approvals and permits under federal,
state, or local ordinances and regulations. An applicant may file for
appropriate land use approvals for the solar project or energy storage project,
as applicable, under the regulations and ordinances of the host locality at or
after the time the applicant submits its notice of intent to site a solar
project or energy storage project as set forth in subsection A of &#xA7;
15.2-2316.7.

B. Nothing in this article shall affect the authority of the host locality to
enforce its ordinances and regulations to the extent that they are not
inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the siting agreement.

C. Approval of a siting agreement by the local governing body in accordance with
subsection B of &#xA7; 15.2-2316.8 shall deem the solar project or energy
storage project to be substantially in accord with the comprehensive plan of the
host locality, thereby satisfying the requirements of &#xA7; 15.2-2232.

D. The failure of an applicant and the governing body to enter into a siting
agreement may be a factor in the decision of the governing body in the
consideration of any land use approvals for a solar project or energy storage
project, but shall not be the sole reason for a denial of such land use
approvals.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 802; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 57, 58.