Newton County, GA Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Newton County treats solar differently depending on how the system is mounted. Under section 10-295(d), a rooftop solar energy system on a house is an allowed accessory use in every zoning district and needs no discretionary permit: it must keep a clear perimeter for emergency roof access, may not extend past the building's exterior perimeter unless engineered to, and on a sloped roof may not rise above the ridge. A building-integrated system, such as solar shingles, is likewise allowed outright under section 10-295(c). Ground-mounted systems are different.

A small-scale ground-mounted system under three acres is an allowed use, but an intermediate system of three to 15 acres needs an administrative use permit, and a large-scale system over 15 acres needs a conditional use permit, both issued under section 10-296. The application goes to the zoning administrator and must include the property address, the applicant's, owner's, operator's, and installer's contact information, proof of site control, a stamped site plan, a topographic drawing, environmental habitat maps, and, for intermediate or large systems, a decommissioning plan.

For an administrative use permit, section 10-296(b) requires the zoning administrator to forward the application to the planning commission, which must approve or deny it within 60 days under section 505-015 of the zoning ordinance. For a conditional use permit, section 10-296(c) requires public notice, a public hearing, and a board of commissioners determination within 120 days of that hearing. Denials and conditions carry the same appeal rights available under the underlying zoning ordinance.