Nash County, NC Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

2(a) treats an accessory solar panel array as permitted by right as an accessory use in every zoning district, as long as it serves the principal structure on the same lot or a nonresidential unified development and is not installed to sell power offsite as its primary purpose; net-metering credit and selling excess power back to the utility are both allowed. Roof-mounted or building-integrated arrays need structural engineering, submitted with the construction permit application, showing the roof or structure can carry the panel array's weight and meet the wind-loading and uplift standards for the county's wind zone.

72(a)'s separate standards. In every other district, a ground-mounted accessory array cannot exceed 50 percent of the footprint of the principal structure on the lot, capped at one-half acre in agricultural or residential districts and one acre in commercial or office and institutional districts. Height is capped at ten feet, measured from the highest grade at the base of the array. The array must sit behind the principal structure's rear line or at least 200 feet from the front property line, and must meet the same side, rear and street-side setbacks the zoning district requires for the principal structure, plus a five-foot separation from any building.

3(B) screening standard, and any lot with an on-site well or septic system needs a Nash County Environmental Health certificate of compliance confirming the array meets required separation distances before installation.