Granville County

FIPS CODE

37077

STATE

North Carolina

WEBSITE

https://www.granvillecounty.org/

ZONING ORDINANCE

Granville County

Ordinance Source URL(s)

https://library.municode.com/nc/granville_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH32LADECO_ARTIIIUSRE_DIV2USRE_S32-142USTA

Applicable Technologies

Solar

Technology Definition

Solar farm: a use where a series of solar collectors are placed in a area for the purpose of generating photovoltaic power for an area greater than the principal use on the site. Also referred to as solar power plant and solar photovoltaic farm.

Ordinance Source URL(s)

https://library.municode.com/nc/granville_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH32LADECO_ARTIIIUSRE_DIV2USRE_S32-142USTA

Setbacks

For cases limited, minor, and major special uses: minimum zoning setback for the zoning district or 25 feet, whichever is strictest. In zone ASE-CZ: setback 100 feet from residential property inclusive of the buffer and 50 feet from non-residential property inclusive of the buffer.

Screening

Fence intended to screen direct viewing of the solar farm.

Fencing

For zone ASE-CZ: 10-foot chain link fence with dark green slats.

Buffer

For zone ASE-CZ: 25-foot wide existing or planted vegetative buffer. At least 2 rows of coverage to reach a height at maturity of 10 feet and reach maturity in a reasonable time. For cases limited, minor, and major special uses: screened from public right-of-ways or adjacent residentially-zoned property. The buffer strip will consist of a planted strip at least 25 feet in width of evergreen bushes, shrubs, and/or trees; at least 2 rows at 4 feet tall when planted. A natural screen may substitute for all or part of the screening if adequate. Where a planting screen cannot be protected to thrive, a wood or masonry wall at least 6 feet in height may replace the screening.

Height Restrictions

For solar farms in cases of limited, minor, and major special uses: 25 feet. Zone ASE-CZ:15 feet.

Visual Restrictions

N/A

Noise Restrictions

N/A

Decommissioning Plan

N/A

Decommissioning Requirements

For zone ASE-CZ: Must be decommissioned within 6 months if no electricity generated for 6 months.

Decommissioning Financial Assurance

For zone ASE-CZ: Performance guarantee of at least 1.25 times estimated decommissioning cost.

Planning and Applications

Solar farms permitted through a minor special use permit in zone I-1 and permitted with limited review in zone I-2. Permitted use in zone agricultural support enterprises conditional zoning district (ASE-CZ).

Moratorium

Moratorium Expiration

N/A

Community Engagement

N/A

Date of Last Revision

November 17, 2025

Date of Last Verification

February 23, 2026

Summary

Granville County, NC, regulates solar energy facilities through its Code of Ordinances. Solar farms are permitted through a minor special use permit in zone I-1 and permitted with limited review in zone I-2. Permitted use in zone agricultural support enterprises conditional zoning district (ASE-CZ). For cases of rezoning to ASE-CZ, setbacks include 100 feet from residential properties (inclusive of the buffer) and 50 feet from non-residential properties. A 10-foot chain link fence with dark green slats is required to screen the facility, and a 25-foot-wide vegetative buffer with at least two rows of plantings must reach 10 feet in height at maturity. The facility height is limited to 15 feet. Facilities must be decommissioned within six months if they stop producing electricity for six months, and a performance guarantee of at least 125% of the estimated decommissioning cost is required. For special use permits, the setback must be the stricter of 25 feet or the zoning district setback; the buffer must align with requirements for the zoning district where a special use permit is required.