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Solar Laws In Livingston County
Large scale renewable energy facilities are playing a key role in achieving New York’s climate and energy goals. As a result, our region including Livingston County is experiencing a significant increase in renewable energy development, primarily solar development.
Smaller facilities are permitted at the local level through Town and Village Zoning Regulations. New major renewable energy facilities equal to or greater than 25 MW are required to seek approval through the State-level review process, subject to review and permitting through the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), under 94-C regulations.
New renewable energy projects between 20-25 MW, as well as projects in the initial stages of Article 10, may opt-in to the 94-C regulatory process. If not opted-in, those projects would be subject to local regulations.
Solar photovoltaics is a relatively new technology. Many municipalities are addressing this new land use by incorporating it into existing zoning and/or by creating new land-use regulations. Large-scale systems should be evaluated for potential land use, aesthetics, decommissioning, and disposal impacts. By reviewing their zoning requirements, municipalities can ensure that solar PV systems are clearly classified and adequate regulations are in place.
Local Law & Moratorium Tracker for Municipalities in Livingston County as of May 2023
Municipality |
Solar Law? If Yes, Click to go to Law |
Permits Large Scale Solar Energy Systems? |
Comprehensive Plan References Alternative / Renewable Energy? |
Moratorium on Large Scale Solar? If Yes, Click to go to Law |
---|---|---|---|---|
Town of Avon |
Amendment 3: In Progress |
Yes |
Yes - Solar, Wind, & Geothermal |
|
Town of Caledonia |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Conesus | Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Geneseo |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Groveland |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Leicester |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Lima |
No |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Livonia |
No |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Mount Morris |
Yes |
Yes - Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass Energy, & Methane Digesters |
No |
|
Town of North Dansville |
Yes |
Yes - Solar, Hydro, Thermal, & Wind |
No |
|
Town of Nunda | Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Ossian |
No |
Yes - Solar, Wind, & BESS |
No |
|
Town of Portage |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of Sparta |
Law In Process |
Law In Process |
N/A |
|
Town of Springwater |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Town of West Sparta |
Law In Process |
Law In Process |
Yes - Wind |
|
Town of York |
Amendment 1 |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
Municipality | Solar Law? If Yes, Click to go to Law |
Permits Large Scale Solar Energy Systems? |
Comprehensive Plan References
Alternative / Renewable Energy? |
Moratorium on
Large Scale Solar? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Village of Avon |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
Village of Caledonia |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Village of Dansville |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
|
Village of Geneseo |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
Village of Leicester |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
Village of Lima |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
Village of Livonia |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
Village of Mount Morris |
Law In Process |
Law In Process |
N/A |
|
Village of Nunda |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
No |