Peoria County, IL Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Private solar
- Permitted accessory use, needs building permit
- Commercial solar
- Special use permit in Ag/Res/Comm/Ind districts
- Home setback (commercial)
- 150 feet from occupied dwellings
- Property-line setback (commercial)
- 50 feet, waivable in writing
- Max height
- 20 feet at full tilt
- Decommissioning security
- Letter of credit, bond, or escrow required
Summary
Ground-mounted solar panels are a permitted accessory use anywhere in unincorporated Peoria County, but a homeowner still needs a building permit before installing one. Commercial-scale solar farms need a special use permit instead, plus setbacks of 150 feet from neighboring homes and 50 feet from property lines.
7.17.2Types of Ground Mounted Solar Energy Equipment.1.Solar Private.a.Solar Private is a permitted accessory use in any zoning district and must abide by the bulk regulations, density and dimensional standards of the underlying zoning district in which it is located. All private solar requires a building permit prior to the initiation of construction.2.Commercial Solar Energy Facility.a.Commercial Solar Energy Facility is permitted as a special use in the agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial zoning districts and shall meet the requirements set forth in Section 7.17.3 ("Standards for a Commercial Solar Energy Facility") through Section 7.17.5 ("Decommissioning Plan"). ... 1.Setbacks.a.All Commercial Solar Energy Facilities shall be no less than one hundred fifty (150) feet to the nearest point on the outside wall of any occupied dwelling on a non-participating property from the nearest edge of any component of the facility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
17 of the Unified Development Ordinance splits ground-mounted solar into two tracks. a before construction starts. 5. Commercial arrays must sit at least 150 feet from the outside wall of any occupied dwelling on a non-participating property and at least 50 feet from that property's boundary line, though a non-participating neighbor can waive both distances in writing. No panel component can rise more than 20 feet above ground at full tilt, the site needs a perimeter security fence between 6 and 25 feet tall with locked emergency access, and 'High Voltage' warning signs are required at every entrance and every 300 feet of fence line.
Commercial applicants also have to submit a farmland drainage plan, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources EcoCAT consultation, an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement with the state Department of Agriculture, and a decommissioning plan backed by a letter of credit, surety bond or escrow account before the county issues a building permit.
Violations & Fines
Installing ground-mounted panels, private or commercial, without the required building permit or special use approval is a zoning violation the Zoning Administrator can cite under Article 10 of the UDO. Absent a different fine listed for this section, violations are petty offenses punishable by up to $500 per offense, with each week of noncompliance treated as a separate offense enforceable through the Code Hearing Unit or circuit court, on top of any decommissioning or restoration costs owed for a commercial facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels at my house in Peoria County?
How far does a commercial solar farm have to be from my house?
How tall can a ground-mounted solar array be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria County
Compare Peoria County to another location·View the Illinois solar energy overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.