Carolinas DASH

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Currituck County

Currituck County

FIPS CODE

37053

STATE

North Carolina

WEBSITE

https://currituckcountync.gov/

ZONING ORDINANCE

Currituck County

Ordinance Source URL(s)

Applicable Technologies

Technology Definition

Solar energy facility: two or more solar collectors or photovoltaic panels intended to capture energy from sunlight, convert it to electricity, and save or deliver the electricity for off-site use.

Ordinance Source URL(s)

https://www.currituckcountync.gov/wp-content/uploads/UDO.pdf

Setbacks

Maximum size of 1,000 acres for single ownership; 1,500 acres for adjoining parcels under different ownership. Must be set back 300 feet from major arterial streets and 150 feet from other street rights of way and property lines. 100 feet from CAMA-designated navigable water bodies, Army Corps of Engineers or CAMA wetlands, and Significant Natural Habitat areas.

Screening

N/A

Fencing

N/A

Buffer

Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, a Type D opaque buffer or earthen berms as tall as the tallest panel at maximum height is required. Certification that 100 percent opacity has been reached at maximum panel height within 5 years must be submitted. Landscaping performance guarantee of 115 percent of landscaping costs must be submitted prior to the issuance of a building permit and remain valid until 100 percent opacity is reached. Type D buffer not required on the common, interior property line of a project when relevant.

Height Restrictions

20 feet

Visual Restrictions

Must be configured to avoid glare beyond exterior property lines.

Noise Restrictions

Noise restrictions only set for construction phase. Hours of operation must be from 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Saturday; construction zones within 1500 feet of a school may not pile drive during regular school session times.

Decommissioning Plan

Description of any agreement with landowners, identification of party responsible for decommissioning, type of panels and material specifications, all costs for removal and restoration. Must be updated every three years or upon change of ownership.

Decommissioning Requirements

Must be decommissioned within 12 months if no electricity generated for 12 months.

Decommissioning Financial Assurance

Performance guarantee of 115% of estimated decommissioning costs not including salvage value.

Planning and Applications

Solar must have major site plan, impact analysis. Permitted with a special use permit in zone AG.

Moratorium

No

Moratorium Expiration

N/A

Community Engagement

N/A

Date of Last Revision

April 4, 2019

Date of Last Verification

February 22, 2026

Summary

Currituck County, NC, permits utility-scale solar energy facilities with a maximum project size of 1,000 acres for single ownership and 1,500 acres for adjoining parcels under different ownership. Setbacks include 300 feet from major arterial roads, 150 feet from other rights of way and property lines, and 100 feet from navigable water bodies. A fully opaque vegetative buffer, as tall as the tallest panel, must be installed and reach 100% opacity within 5 years. Fencing must not exceed 20 feet in height. Solar arrays must be configured to prevent glare beyond property lines. Decommissioning plans must include landowner agreements, panel specifications, responsible parties, and total estimated costs. Solar facilities must be decommissioned within 12 months of ceasing power production for 12 months. A performance guarantee of 115% of landscaping and decommissioning costs (excluding salvage value) is required. Major site plans and impact analyses are mandatory. At least 30% of the site must be dedicated to native pollinator habitat or agriculture, and groundwater monitoring wells are required. A solar moratorium was in place from 2017 to 2019.