Will County, IL Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height above roofline
- 5 feet above highest roof point
- Max height above building limit
- 3 feet above district max
- Street-facing elevations
- Flush/building-integrated panels only
- Ground-mounted in residential
- Barred from street setback/yard
- Solar easements
- Owner's responsibility, must be recorded
Summary
Unincorporated Will County allows building-mounted and ground-mounted solar systems as accessory uses, but sets height, setback and street-facing design limits and puts the burden of any solar-access easements on the owner, not the county.
(F) Accessory solar energy systems. (1) General. (a) Accessory solar energy systems must comply with all applicable building ordinance and electrical code requirements. (b) Owners of accessory solar energy systems are solely responsible for negotiating with other property owners for any desired solar easements to protect access to sunlight. Any such easements must be recorded with the county recorder of deeds. (2) Building-mounted solar energy systems. (a) Building-mounted solar energy systems may be mounted on principal and accessory structures. (b) All applicable setback regulations apply to building-mounted solar energy systems. Systems mounted on principal structures may encroach into interior side and rear setbacks in accordance with § 155-18.10(F). [...] (d) Solar energy systems may not extend more than three feet above the applicable maximum building height limit for the subject building type or more than five feet above the highest point of the roof line, whichever is less. (3) Ground-mounted solar energy systems. (a) In residential zoning districts, ground-mounted solar energy systems may not be located in a required street setback or street yard area. (b) Ground-mounted solar energy systems may be located within required interior side and rear setbacks. (c) Ground-mounted solar energy systems are subject to applicable accessory structure height and lot coverage regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
10(F) governs accessory solar energy systems and splits the rules by mounting type. All systems must comply with the building ordinance and electrical code. Owners are solely responsible for negotiating with neighboring property owners for any solar easement needed to protect access to sunlight, and any such easement must be recorded with the county recorder of deeds; the county does not guarantee sun access. 10(F). Only building-integrated or flush-mounted panels are allowed on street-facing building elevations, meaning a rack-mounted tilted array cannot face the street.
Height is capped: panels may not extend more than three feet above the maximum building height limit for that building type, or more than five feet above the highest point of the roof line, whichever is less. Ground-mounted systems in residential districts may not sit in a required street setback or street yard, though they may be placed within required interior side and rear setbacks, and they remain subject to the accessory structure height and lot coverage limits that apply to sheds and other accessory buildings on the same lot. Because these are treated as accessory structures, installation still requires a building permit reviewed against the building and electrical codes noted in subsection (F)(1)(a).
Violations & Fines
A solar installation that exceeds the height cap, sits in a required street setback or street yard, or places non-flush panels on a street-facing elevation is a zoning ordinance violation subject to enforcement by the Will County Land Use Department, which can require the array modified or removed to bring it into compliance before or after installation. Installing without the required building permit review adds a separate building-code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Will County require a permit for rooftop solar panels?
Can I install ground-mounted solar panels in my front yard in unincorporated Will County?
How tall can a rooftop solar array be in Will County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
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