Ashe County

FIPS CODE

37009

STATE

North Carolina

WEBSITE

https://www.ashecountygov.com/

ZONING ORDINANCE

Ashe County

Ordinance Source URL(s)

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ashecounty/latest/ashecounty_nc/0-0-0-1692

Applicable Technologies

Technology Definition

Solar Energy System: High Impact land use if 10 or more acres

Ordinance Source URL(s)

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ashecounty/latest/ashecounty_nc/0-0-0-1692

Setbacks

100 feet from centerline of roads, 50 feet from adjacent properties, 100 feet from residential property lines, 100 feet from properties containing existing structures

Screening

N/A

Fencing

N/A

Buffer

N/A

Height Restrictions

N/A

Visual Restrictions

Minimize glare

Noise Restrictions

N/A

Decommissioning Plan

Deconstruction plans for solar systems must be submitted with permit application.

Decommissioning Requirements

Solar systems considered to be abandoned if they do not produce energy for more than a year, must be removed within 18 months

Decommissioning Financial Assurance

Removal fund with bond is required

Planning and Applications

N/A

Moratorium

Moratorium Expiration

N/A

Community Engagement

N/A

Date of Last Revision

July 17, 2023

Date of Last Verification

N/A

Summary

Ashe County, NC, regulates solar energy systems under their ordinance. Solar energy systems occupying 10 or more acres are classified as high-impact land uses. Setbacks for solar installations include 100 feet from road centerlines, 50 feet from adjacent properties, and 100 feet from both residential property lines and properties with existing structures. Deconstruction plans are required for solar during the application process.