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.

Solar Laws and Moratoria - Sept 2023
Map as of May 2023

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 2
Amendment 3: In Progress
Yes
Yes - Solar, Wind, & Geothermal
Yes
Town of
Caledonia
Amendment 1
Yes
N/A
No
Town of Conesus
Yes
Yes
N/A 
No
Town of 
Geneseo
Yes
N/A
No
Town of 
Groveland
Yes
N/A
                        No
Town of 
Leicester
Yes
Yes
N/A
No
Town of
Lima
Yes
No
N/A
No
Town of 
Livonia
Yes
No
N/A
No
Town of
Mount Morris
Amendment 2
Yes
Yes - Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass Energy, & Methane Digesters
No
Town of
North Dansville
Yes
Yes
Yes - Solar, Hydro, Thermal, & Wind
No
Town of Nunda
Yes
Yes
N/A
No
Town of 
Ossian
Amendment 1
No
Yes - Solar, Wind, & BESS
No
Town of 
Portage
Yes
Yes
N/A
No
Town of 
Sparta
Law In Process
Law In Process
N/A
Yes
Town of
Springwater
Yes
Yes
N/A
No
Town of 
West Sparta
Law In Process
Law In Process
Yes - Wind
Yes
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
Yes
N/A
No
Village of 
Dansville
Yes
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
Yes
Village of 
Nunda
No
N/A
N/A
No