Outagamie County, WI Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Review required
- site plan + elevation drawing
- Ground-mount height
- 15 ft max at full tilt
- Solar carports
- 20 ft max height
- Setbacks
- standard district structure setbacks
- State limit
- Wis. Stat. §66.0401 caps county power
Summary
Outagamie County requires a site plan and elevation drawing for accessory-scale solar systems, caps ground-mounted arrays at 15 feet, and applies standard zoning-district setbacks under §54-447.
Accessory-scale solar energy systems are subject to the following requirements and the requirements of Wis. Stats. § 66.0401. ... Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt. Height may be increased by one foot for every two feet of additional setback beyond what is required. ... Accessory-scale solar energy systems shall provide a site plan and elevation drawing for review unless deemed unnecessary by the Zoning Administrator.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Under §54-447, accessory-scale solar (rooftop or ground-mounted, serving the property itself) needs a site plan and elevation drawing reviewed by the Zoning Administrator unless waived, must meet the district's structure setbacks, and caps ground-mounted arrays at 15 feet at maximum tilt (one extra foot allowed per two feet of added setback); solar carports max out at 20 feet. Because Wis. Stat. §66.0401 bars counties from restricting solar systems except to protect health/safety or where cost/efficiency isn't harmed, the county can't require more than these standards or refuse solar outright. Chapter 54 applies only in unincorporated towns that adopted county zoning.
Violations & Fines
Installing a system without the required site plan/elevation review, or exceeding the height and setback limits, is a zoning violation the administrator can require corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need county approval to install solar panels in unincorporated Outagamie County?
How tall can a ground-mounted array be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Outagamie County
Compare Outagamie County to another location·View the Wisconsin solar energy overview
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