Solar Energy in Virginia (2026)
17 rules on the books across Virginia, 15 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Panel Permits
Permits required for installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels, including electrical inspections and interconnection approvals.
Virginia: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsSolar panel installations in Virginia require permits issued locally but governed by the statewide Uniform Statewide…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Significant RestrictionsCommunity and utility-scale solar projects outside Blacksburg and Christiansburg need a Board of Supervisors special…
Read full rule →Spotsylvania County
Significant RestrictionsSpotsylvania County requires a special use permit for solar energy facilities in its agricultural and rural districts…
Read full rule →Stafford County
Significant RestrictionsStafford County routes utility-scale solar and energy-storage facilities through a conditional use permit rather than a…
Read full rule →Chesterfield County
Some RestrictionsInstalling an active solar energy system in Chesterfield County requires a permit under the Virginia Uniform Statewide…
Read full rule →Fairfax County
Some RestrictionsInstalling solar energy equipment in Fairfax County requires a building permit from the Building Official, though the…
Read full rule →Hampton
Some RestrictionsHampton allows solar energy equipment as a permitted use in every zoning district; freestanding panels are capped at 16…
Read full rule →Hanover County
Some RestrictionsHanover County limits roof-mounted accessory solar panels to twelve inches above the roof and twelve inches beyond the…
Read full rule →Loudoun County
Some RestrictionsLoudoun County treats rooftop and ground-mounted home solar arrays as a site-specific accessory use under Zoning…
Read full rule →Portsmouth
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth reviews an accessory solar energy project through the same Site Plan or Zoning Permit process as other…
Read full rule →Roanoke
Some RestrictionsRoanoke exempts rooftop solar from special zoning review but requires ground-mounted solar systems to stay out of front…
Read full rule →Roanoke County
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County allows solar energy systems by right, with a permit, in every zoning district, but sets separate design…
Read full rule →Richmond
Light RestrictionsRichmond's zoning code lets a roof-mounted solar array project into a required yard the same as the roof beneath it, as…
Read full rule →Albemarle County
Few RestrictionsAlbemarle County allows accessory solar panels and battery storage by right in every zoning district under Sec. 4.22…
Read full rule →Alexandria
Few RestrictionsAlexandria's Zoning Ordinance treats rooftop solar as a favored rooftop appurtenance: Section 6-403(B) lets solar…
Read full rule →HOA Restrictions
State and local laws that limit what HOAs can restrict when it comes to solar panel installation, placement, and appearance.
Virginia: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsVirginia's solar covenant statute is a default rule, not a covenant-voiding right. Va. Code § 55.1-1820.1 B says no…
Read full rule →Suffolk
Some RestrictionsVirginia protects rooftop solar from HOA bans. Under Va. Code Section 55.1-1820.1, a Suffolk homeowners association…
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