Elements of Solar-Enabling Zoning Ordinances in the Southwest

The document provides a framework for solar-enabling zoning ordinances in the Southwest, focusing on clear definitions, permitting pathways, and mitigation strategies for visual, sound, and environmental impacts. It advocates for designating accessory solar as an 'allowed use' and large-scale projects as 'conditional use,' while suggesting specific standards for setbacks, height limits, and noise. The guide also emphasizes reducing environmental footprints through wildlife-friendly fencing and water management plans, and promoting dual-use solar, such as agrivoltaics. Additionally, it outlines requirements for decommissioning, fire safety, and the creation of local benefit analyses to ensure community upside.

• To provide clarity on project types and permitting, ordinances should distinguish between 'accessory use' (energy production for on-site use) and 'primary use' (production primarily for sale off-site), with projects over 1MW typically classified as large-scale.
• Permitting pathways should be streamlined by designating accessory ground-mounted, roof-mounted, and building-integrated solar as an 'allowed use' in any zone, while large-scale projects should generally be 'conditional use' in rural, agricultural, and non-residential zones.
• Recommended mitigation standards for visual and sound impacts include setbacks of 50 feet to abutting property lines outside the zoning district or 150 feet to residential structures, and a specific noise limit of 60 dBA time weighted average at the property boundary.
• Environmental protections should include requiring water management plans, stormwater assessments, and the use of wildlife corridors and wildlife-friendly fencing to protect high-priority habitats.
• The guide recommends supporting dual-use solar, specifically agrivoltaics, by making them an allowed use in agricultural zones and exempting them from height requirements.
• To ensure long-term site restoration, ordinances should require a decommissioning plan that details costs, equipment removal, and waste disposal, with the process commencing and completing within 12 months of project cessation.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Elements of Solar-Enabling Zoning Ordinances in the Southwest. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14125544/elements-solar-enabling-zoning-ordinances-southwest.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Elements of Solar-Enabling Zoning Ordinances in the Southwest. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14125544/elements-solar-enabling-zoning-ordinances-southwest.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Elements of Solar-Enabling Zoning Ordinances in the Southwest |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14125544/elements-solar-enabling-zoning-ordinances-southwest.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendelements, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Elements of Solar-Enabling Zoning Ordinances in the Southwest}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14125544/elements-solar-enabling-zoning-ordinances-southwest.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }