Houston County, GA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Small Scale SES
- under 5 acres footprint, no special permit
- Intermediate Scale SES
- 5-50 acres, needs Special Use Permit
- Large Scale SES
- over 50 acres, needs Special Use Permit
- Intermediate residential setback
- 50 feet from adjacent dwelling
- Large Scale residential setback
- 150 feet from adjacent dwelling
- Decommissioning deadline
- starts within 12 months of shutdown
Summary
Unincorporated Houston County lets small ground-mounted solar arrays under 5 acres go in without a special permit, but any Intermediate (5-50 acre) or Large Scale (over 50 acre) system needs a Special Use Permit with a full site plan, visual buffer plan and decommissioning plan before the Governing Authority.
A-105. Special Exception Application. In addition to the general requirements for a Special Exception application set forth in the County zoning code, the following shall be contained in any Special Use Permit application for an SES: A-105.1. Basic Information. The applicant shall submit a document that lists the following: A-105.1.1. the address of the property on which the SES will be located; A-105.1.2. the applicant's name, address, telephone number, and email address; A-105.1.3. the property owner's name, address, telephone number, and email address; A-105.1.4. if known, the SES operator's name, address, telephone number, and email address; A-105.1.5. if known, the installation company's name, address, telephone number, email address, and license number; and A-105.1.6. evidence of the applicant's control of the property, such as a deed, lease, or option agreement with the landowner.
Full Breakdown
Houston County's Comprehensive Land Development Regulations, Appendix A, split ground-mounted solar energy systems (SES) into three tiers by footprint: Small Scale (under 5 acres), Intermediate Scale (5 to 50 acres) and Large Scale (over 50 acres). 1, the appendix governs siting, construction, installation and decommissioning of any new SES built in unincorporated Houston County after its effective date; systems already operating are grandfathered unless their footprint grows more than 25 percent. Only Intermediate and Large Scale systems trigger the Special Exception/Special Use Permit process described in Sections A-105 and A-106.
1). 2). 3). 2 allows denial on stated grounds. Intermediate systems must sit at least 10 feet from a property line (or the district's own setback, whichever is greater) and 50 feet from any residential dwelling on an adjacent lot; Large Scale systems must sit at least 50 feet from any property line or right-of-way and 150 feet from a residential dwelling.
Violations & Fines
A violation of any provision of the Land Development Regulations, including Appendix A's SES permit requirements, is a misdemeanor under Section 161, prosecuted under Ga. Code Ann. § 69-9905, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 69-1212. Installing an Intermediate or Large Scale system without the required Special Use Permit exposes the owner to daily citations until the system is brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a home rooftop solar panel need a county permit in Houston County?
What size solar farm needs a Special Use Permit in Houston County?
What happens to a solar farm once it stops operating?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston County
Compare Houston County to another location·View the Georgia solar energy overview
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