This page provides a detailed description of each criterion in the Standard Pathway: Planning and Zoning category. It includes recommended verification for designation review, community examples, templates, and/or resources.
Learn more about the SolSmart designation process here. To access this information in a PDF document, download the SolSmart Program Guide.
Overview: Planning and Zoning
Local government planning and zoning regulations can help facilitate the rapid expansion of solar energy and associated technologies, including energy storage and electric vehicles, within a community. Communities can utilize planning and zoning regulations to increase opportunities for rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy while also advancing other community goals including affordable housing, economic development, clean transportation and the protection of natural and cultural resources. Plans should set forth a vision for the community’s clean energy future, while zoning codes should provide clear and transparent regulations on the development and use of solar energy within the jurisdiction.
Many of the criteria in the planning and zoning category can be verified by providing a link to a community’s codes, ordinances, and community plans.
The Standard Pathway includes 26 criteria for Planning and Zoning, totaling 215 points.
PZ-1 (Required)
Review zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development. Compile findings in a memo. (Required for Bronze). Examples include: height restrictions, set-back requirements, screening requirements, visibility restrictions, etc.
A community’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations create statutory limits on what individuals may do with their property as a matter of right and often provides additional processes to consider special exceptions. Land use regulations often contain use standards that provide additional requirements for certain types of development. Local governments should be aware of any restrictions that could intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar energy development within their community and consider removing those barriers to promote easier and more equitable solar deployment. Often, removing restrictive zoning language can save property owners time and money because they can avoid going through a more extensive process to have their solar system considered.
Recommended Verification: Provide a signed SolSmart Zoning Review Memo.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-2 (5 Points)
Present PZ-1 memo findings to planning commission or relevant body.
The zoning ordinance review memo can be the starting point for ordinance amendments to remove barriers to solar or add language that could promote development. Presenting the findings of the memo to a relevant commission or body can start conversations about updates to solar energy regulations within the community. If the relevant commission or body is interested in updating the zoning ordinance, they can direct staff to draft recommendations.
Recommended Verification: Provide meeting minutes, meeting agenda, or materials prepared for the meeting (e.g., handouts and slides) that demonstrate a discussion about the zoning review.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-3 (5 Points)
Draft proposed language for changes to zoning code based on PZ-1 memo and PZ-2 dialogue. Involve planners and/or local zoning experts and/or the public (e.g., through community-based organizations) in the creation of the draft language.
A local government interested in enabling solar energy development should consider including basic solar information in the zoning ordinance such as a purpose, definitions, clarification on accessory use and primary use solar, and use standards. Zoning codes that contain no or little information about solar energy can complicate the process for homes and business that want to install a solar energy system. Including basic information about solar energy improves transparency of processes and clarity of development requirements and can enhance the growth of the local solar market in an organized and efficient manner. The local government should provide education to the public about the drafted changes to the zoning code and how that impacts residents.
Recommended Verification: Provide draft language of the proposed zoning ordinance changes that clarify solar energy requirements, address gaps identified by PZ-1 memo, and remove barriers to solar development.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-4 (0 Points)
Post an online document from the Planning/Zoning Department that states accessory use solar PV is allowed by-right in all major zones. (e.g. via a zoning determination letter). (Required for Silver unless Gold Requirement PZ-5 is achieved. If PZ-5 is achieved, PZ-4 is not necessary.)
Including solar energy in the zoning ordinance provides the highest level of policy certainty and clarity. A zoning ordinance change that codifies accessory use solar as an allowed or by-right use is a best-case scenario. However, this may be impractical or politically difficult to achieve in the short term, or outside of a zoning update cycle. Instead of an ordinance change, local governments may write and publish a zoning determination letter clarifying that accessory use solar is an allowed or by-right use in all major zones. This clarification removes uncertainty and can increase solar adoption and lower costs for residents and businesses.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to an online document (and the parent webpage) that clarifies that accessory solar PV is an allowed or by-right use in all major zones. This document should:
- show that the process does not involve staff discretion, special permits, conditional permits, use permits, or variances
- have language that demonstrates its applicability in all major zones
- be made public;
- and be dated and signed by a Department or Committee head.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-5 (10 Points)
Codify in the zoning ordinance that accessory use rooftop solar PV is explicitly allowed by-right in all major zones. (Required for Gold, PZ-4 is optional)
A community’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations create statutory limits on what individuals may do with their property as a matter of right. Zoning often provides additional processes, which can be long and costly, to consider special exceptions when a proposal is inconsistent with current land use regulations. Codifying solar as an accessory use and as an allowed or by-right use in all major zoning categories provides policy certainty and clarity which can promote easier and more equitable solar deployment. It can increase solar development and save property owners time and money because they can avoid going through a more extensive process to have their solar system considered.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance, use table, and/or land use regulations that codify solar as an accessory use and is an allowed, permitted or by-right use. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-6 (10 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance language does not include intentional or unintentional barriers to accessory use rooftop solar PV, including but not limited to aesthetic or performance standards, screening requirements, limits to visibility, excessive restrictions to system size or rooftop coverage, glare or glint regulations, and subjective design reviews. (Required for Gold, PZ-4 is optional)
While communities may set standards to further regulate the design, size, use, and placement of rooftop solar PV systems, it is important to ensure these do not intentionally or unintentionally impose barriers to accessory use rooftop solar. For example, such standards can increase system costs/reduce production (e.g. screening, visibility limits), go beyond a local government’s jurisdiction (e.g. limits on electricity production/ consumption), perpetuate myths about solar PV (e.g. glare, aesthetics), be subjective (e.g. glare, aesthetics, design reviews), and/or open up the community to legal battles.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations regarding accessory use rooftop solar. Please indicate the relevant section(s) that describe the review process, standards, or related exemptions applicable to accessory use rooftop solar.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-7 (5 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance permits small ground-mounted solar PV as an accessory use in at least one zoning district.
Sometimes a property is not suitable for rooftop solar because the building has structural limitations, or the rooftop is shaded. In this case, a small ground-mounted solar PV system can still allow the property owner to install solar and enjoy the benefits. Permitting or allowing small ground-mounted solar PV as an accessory use in at least one zoning district can promote easier and more equitable solar deployment. It can increase solar development and save property owners time and money because they can avoid going through a more extensive process to have their solar system considered.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that allows small ground-mounted solar PV as an accessory use. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-8 (5 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance exempts small ground-mounted solar PV from certain restrictions on accessory uses (e.g. setbacks, coverage or impervious surface calculations, or other restrictions).
Opportunities for small ground-mounted PV may be limited if they are subjected to certain restrictions such as setbacks, lot coverage, and impervious surface ratios. These types of regulations are normally applied to accessory structures like sheds, garages, or accessory dwelling units which can have a greater impact on neighbors when built up against a lot line or covering a larger percentage of the lot. Solar is less obtrusive and contains pervious surfaces underneath the panels and it can be exempted from certain restrictions to promote easier and more equitable solar deployment.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that exempts small ground-mounted solar PV from certain restrictions on accessory uses. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-9 (5 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance establishes a clear regulatory pathway for large-scale solar PV (e.g. through a special use permit or through inclusion among allowed conditional uses).
A local government should consider including large-scale solar regulations in their zoning ordinance or land use regulations to provide clarity and consistency to the development process. Including the type of district (e.g. commercial, industrial, low productivity agricultural land) where development is allowed, the type of applicable permit(s) (e.g. conditional use permits, use permits), and use standards or special regulations provide solar developers with a clear set of guidelines and a more predictable approval process.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that establishes a regulatory pathway for large-scale solar PV development. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-10 (10 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance includes a native perennial vegetation and/or habitat- friendly ground cover standard for large-scale solar PV.
Large-scale solar projects cover many acres that can be used for the dual purpose of providing clean, renewable energy and growing native perennial vegetation or habitat-friendly ground cover. Planting native perennial vegetation under solar PV systems can improve soil health and water retention, while providing habitat for pollinators and native species.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that includes language about a native perennial vegetation and/or habitat-friendly ground cover requirement or standard. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-11 (5 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance enables co-location of solar PV with an agricultural use such as grazing, apiaries, or crops (agrivoltaics).
Large-scale solar projects cover many acres that can be used for the dual purpose of providing clean, renewable energy and co-locating with forms of agriculture. Co-locating solar PV with agriculture creates an additional revenue stream for farmers and can enhance yields, soil health, and water retention while improving system efficiency by reducing air temperature near the panels. Allowing co-location of solar PV with agricultural land use can also increase resident support of renewable energy in regions where agriculture is a primary source of income.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that includes language enabling the co- location of solar with an agricultural use. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
Illinois Solar Model Ordinance | Great Plains Institute (GPI)
Indiana Solar Model Ordinance | Great Plains Institute (GPI)
AgriSolar Clearinghouse Information Library | National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
Case Studies | National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
Co-Location of Solar and Agriculture Webinar | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Land Use Considerations for Large-scale Solar | SolSmart Issue Brief
Center for Pollinators in Energy | Fresh Energy
Innovative Solar Practices Integrated with Rural Economies and Ecosystems (InSPIRE) | National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Dual-Use Solar and Agriculture | University of Massachusetts Amherst
PZ-12 (5 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance requires a decommissioning plan that outlines the terms and conditions for a large-scale solar PV system’s proper removal at the end of its useful life cycle or in the event of cessation of operation. (The decommissioning plan may include steps to remove the system, requirements for disposal and/or recycling of system components, and restoration as needed to allow for return to agriculture or other land use).
A community’s zoning ordinance can require a decommissioning plan that clearly outlines the roles, responsibilities, terms, and conditions to ensure the local government will not be responsible for the removal of a large-scale solar PV system. Decommissioning is the responsibility of the system owner and requiring a plan can alleviate concerns that a local government will be unnecessarily burden with system removal.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that includes language about a decommissioning plan for large-scale solar PV. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-13 (5 Points)
Ensure the zoning ordinance establishes solar energy zones and/or solar overlays for large-scale solar PV.
A community’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations could establish a solar energy zone or overlay. This strategy can encourage solar development on favorable sites and reduce the project development timeline by streamlining permitting and zoning requirements.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that establishes solar energy zones and/or solar overlays for large-scale solar PV. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-14 (10 Points)
Require new construction to be solar ready in at least one zoning district by adopting Appendix U (International Code Council), Appendix RB (International Energy Conservation Code), or another mechanism.
Local governments can proactively plan for increased solar deployment by requiring new construction to be solar ready which can reduce the installation costs if a solar system will be installed at some point in the future. Solar ready buildings are designed and engineered in such a way that allows for the easy installation of a future solar system. The International Code Council (ICC) has developed model codes and standards for solar ready construction.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the adopted code(s) or language that requires new construction to be solar ready.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-15 (20 Points)
Codify a solar requirement for new construction and/or retrofits meeting a specific threshold, in at least one zoning district.
Local governments can proactively promote solar development by requiring a solar installation on new construction, and/or retrofits. Installing solar on new construction is cost-effective and can rapidly increase solar deployment in a community. A solar requirement can be mandated at a local level in the code of ordinances or, as in the case of California, at the state level.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the adopted code(s) or language that requires solar on new construction or retrofits.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-16 (10 Points)
Require new construction affordable housing and multifamily housing to be solar ready.
While affordable housing and multi-family housing projects may not be able to install solar at the time of construction due to upfront costs or other challenges, they can be designed and built to ensure they are ready to support solar in the future. Local governments can require these building be designed and engineered in such a way that reduces the cost and complexity of solar installation. The International Code Council (ICC) has developed model codes and standards for solar ready construction.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the adopted code(s) or language that requires new construction to be solar ready.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-17 (10 Points)
Provide clear guidance for the installation of solar PV in areas such as historic properties, flood zones or special overlay districts.
Many communities contain historic properties or historic districts that aim to preserve a community’s character and heritage. These properties and districts are often regulated by specific design guidelines that outline how a historic property may be modified. These guidelines can include the best methods to incorporate a solar energy installation while maintaining the historical nature of the structure and surrounding neighborhood and provide a clear review process.
Recommended Verification:
- Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that includes guidance on the installation of solar PV on historic properties and in special overlay districts. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
- Provide a link to guidance for the installation of solar PV on historic properties and in special overlay districts.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-18 (10 Points)
Train planning and zoning staff on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV. Training must have occurred in the past two years.
Regular solar PV training, at least every two years, is a best practice to ensure planning and zoning staff are up-to- date on strategies for incorporating solar into plans, ordinances, and development regulations. Training staff in planning and zoning best practices for solar can help them to evaluate the options available for reducing barriers to solar and enable them to customize these best practices to their local context. Training can help staff develop clear, transparent, well-defined, and consistent planning and zoning regulations and processes that provide certainty for property owners and solar developers. Local governments can require staff to attend full or half-day workshops (either live or online) and provide or create resources designed to help staff keep up with advances in solar planning and zoning best practices.
Recommended Verification: Provide a signed memo with details about the planning and zoning training including name of training, name of trainer, attendees (name, title, department), date and time, location, agenda, and presentation/slides.
Templates:
Resources:
PZ-19 (5 Points)
Post an online fact sheet that provides an overview of what zoning allows for solar PV under what conditions and in which districts (e.g. types and sizes of solar systems permitted, the processes required, and other relevant information).
A community’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations create statutory limits on what individuals may do with their property as a matter of right and often provides additional processes to consider special exceptions. Land use regulations often contain use standards that provide additional requirements for certain types of development. However, these regulations can sometimes be unclear and difficult to access, especially for topics like solar PV. Posting an online fact sheet that summarizes zoning regulations for solar represents a major step toward overcoming informational barriers.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the fact sheet, zoning determination letter, or other online document that clarifies and summarizes how the zoning ordinance and land use regulations regulate solar energy.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-20 (10 Points)
Include specific solar PV goals, metrics, and strategies in the most current published version of relevant local plans (e.g., energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan).
Planning documents provide the foundation for a community’s vision for how and where it would like future development to occur. Development is governed largely by the components of the comprehensive plan and guided by the policies and strategies outlined in other functional plans such as a Climate Action Plan or Sustainability Plan. These planning documents should align to have solar energy goals, metrics, and strategies that promote solar development in an organized and efficient manner.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the relevant plans that incorporate solar PV goals, metrics, and/or strategies. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-21 (5 Points)
Draft new or updated language and provide a timeline for the inclusion of specific solar PV goals, metrics, and/or strategies into existing and/or future plans.
Planning documents provide the foundation for a community’s vision for how and where it would like future development to occur. Comprehensive, sub-area, and functional plans also provide policy guidance to the local government as it weighs how future development aligns with other objectives. Communities that would like to promote solar development in an organized and efficient manner should draft solar energy goals, metrics, or strategies for inclusion in new or updated plans.
Recommended Verification: Provide draft language of the proposed plan changes that relate to solar energy and a timeline for inclusion in future plans.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-22 (5 Points)
Share solar PV progress towards achieving targets or metrics from PZ-20 on the solar landing page.
Publicly reporting progress toward solar goals helps to create transparency and accountability. These metrics allow local governments to see the impacts of their policies and identify the need to adjust their strategies. To be meaningful, metrics should be updated annually at a minimum, but communities should strive for quarterly updates. Please specify the reporting period for which the reported metrics apply.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the relevant information on the solar landing page. Include date when the information was last updated.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-23 (10 Points)
Include specific large-scale solar PV goals, metrics, and strategies in the most current published version of relevant local plans (e.g. energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan).
Planning documents provide the foundation for a community’s vision for how and where it would like future development to occur. Development is governed largely by the components of the comprehensive plan and guided by the policies and strategies outlined in other functional plans such as a Climate Action Plan or Sustainability Plan. These planning documents should align to have large-scale solar energy goals, metrics, and strategies that promote solar development in an organized and efficient manner.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the relevant plans that incorporate large-scale solar PV goals, metrics, and/or strategies. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-24 (20 Points)
Develop a solar PV assessment that identifies community-wide feasibility for solar PV development within a jurisdiction (differentiate between large-scale, municipal, etc.)
Local governments can proactively identify sites that are favorable for solar PV projects. Identifying sites that have high solar potential and the best characteristics for large-scale solar development can reduce potential conflicts between solar and other land uses and speed up the project development timeline.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the PV assessment.
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-25 (10 Points)
Enable solar rights through a local solar access ordinance.
In some states, local governments have jurisdiction to enable solar rights through an ordinance. A solar rights or access ordinance protects a property owner ‘s right to sunlight, ensuring a solar installation has access to the sunlight it needs to generate electricity. A solar access ordinance can also remove restrictive covenants for solar PV in relevant zones.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that protects solar rights and access. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Community Examples:
Resources:
PZ-26 (20 Points)
Codify in the zoning ordinance that accessory use energy storage systems are explicitly allowed by-right in all major zones.
A community’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations create statutory limits on what individuals may do with their property as a matter of right. Zoning often provides additional processes, which can be long and costly, to consider special exceptions when a proposal is inconsistent with current land use regulations. Codifying residential energy storage as an accessory use and allowed or by-right use in all major zoning categories provides policy certainty and clarity which can promote easier and more equitable energy storage deployment. It can increase energy storage development and save property owners time and money because they can avoid going through a more extensive process to have their energy storage system considered.
Recommended Verification: Provide a link to the zoning ordinance or land use regulations that codify energy storage as an accessory use and allowed or by-right use. Please indicate the relevant section(s).
Resources:
