Champaign County, IL Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance Section 7.8
- Roof-mounted arrays
- No permit required, Sec. 7.8(A)(3)
- Ground-mounted arrays
- Must meet Section 7.2 yard setbacks
- Screening trigger
- Over 1,000 sq ft ground-mounted
- Output cap for this section
- Under 1 megawatt
- Maximum fine
- Up to $500 per day, Sec. 10.2.3
Summary
Roof-mounted solar arrays need no zoning permit in unincorporated Champaign County. Ground-mounted PV arrays under one megawatt qualify as accessory structures and must meet the standard yard setbacks, plus screening if the array exceeds 1,000 square feet.
SECTION 7.8 ACCESSORY PV SOLAR ARRAY
A. A PV SOLAR ARRAY with an output of less than one megawatt shall be permitted as an ACCESSORY STRUCTURE subject to the following standards:
1. An accessory ground-mounted PV SOLAR ARRAY with less than one megawatt on contiguous lots under common ownership shall require compliance with minimum zoning requirements in Section 7.2 YARDS for DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS and STRUCTURES.
2. For an accessory ground-mounted PV SOLAR ARRAY greater than 1,000 square feet in area, screening requirements shall apply per Sections 7.6.2 and 7.6.3.
3. No permit is required for roof-mounted PV SOLAR ARRAYS.
4. Loading berths and parking spaces are not required for accessory ground-mounted PV SOLAR ARRAYS.
Full Breakdown
8 of the Champaign County Zoning Ordinance, Accessory PV Solar Array, governs solar installations on unincorporated land. A PV solar array with an output of less than one megawatt is permitted as an accessory structure, but the rules differ sharply by mounting type. 2 (Yards) that apply to detached accessory buildings and structures, meaning it has to sit within the same front, side, and rear yard setback lines as any other accessory structure on the lot. 3. 8(A)(4) exempts accessory ground-mounted arrays from the off-street loading berth and parking space requirements that apply to other accessory uses.
8 does not repeat it. Homeowners installing ground-mounted panels should confirm yard compliance and, above 1,000 square feet, screening compliance with the Zoning Administrator before construction.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a ground-mounted solar array that violates the Section 7.2 yard setbacks or the Section 7.6.2/7.6.3 screening standards is a zoning violation. Under Section 10.2.3, violations are petty offenses punishable by a fine of up to $500, with each day of continued noncompliance after notice treated as a separate offense, and the Zoning Administrator or an affected neighbor may also seek an injunction under Section 10.2.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put solar panels on my roof in unincorporated Champaign County?
What rules apply to a ground-mounted solar array in the yard?
Does a solar array need its own loading berths or parking?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Champaign County
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