Suffolk County
Suffolk County, Massachusetts: solar permitting grade B (score 35/100, Moderate Risk). Score has been stable over the last 12 months. Primary-source ordinance and board-vote data on SitePath.
Public summary
| Grade | B · Moderate Risk · Score 35/100 |
| Population | 803,907 |
| Solar ordinance | No specific solar ordinance recorded |
| Active moratorium | None on record |
| Regulatory trajectory | Improving (ordinance direction easing) |
| 12-month score movement | Stable |
| Last verified | 2026-05-02 |
Developer outlook
Suffolk County presents moderate permitting risk; conditions are generally workable for utility-scale solar with standard due-diligence preparation.
Local intel
On file: named opposition groups
Cities, towns & townships
In Massachusetts, towns hold their own zoning and land-use authority, so the rules for a site in Suffolk County often depend on which of these governments it falls in.
- Boston city
- Chelsea city
- Revere city
- Winthrop Town city
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, incorporated places and county subdivisions with an active government.
Nearby counties
- Norfolk County · ≈14 miB41—
- Middlesex County · ≈22 miB34—
- Essex County · ≈23 miB41—
- Plymouth County · ≈28 miC44—
- Bristol County · ≈40 miC42—
- Providence County, RI · ≈43 miB35—
Compare these counties side-by-side →
Suffolk County ranks #3 of 14 ranked Massachusetts counties (1 = lowest permitting risk). Lowest-risk in Massachusetts: Middlesex County (B · 34), Hampshire County (B · 34), Nantucket County (B · 38). See all Massachusetts county grades →
Want the full record?
Setback distances, board vote histories, source documents, and ordinance amendments are available in the full county profile. The map is free; a walkthrough shows you the underlying record.
About this score
Every U.S. county is scored 0–100 on solar permitting risk (lower is friendlier to development). The grade is a weighted composite of compliance stringency, market saturation, regulatory trajectory, and data uncertainty. Every figure traces back to a primary government document. Read the full methodology →
Related reading
SitePath Intelligence is a research platform. Data verified as of 2026-05-02. Scores update on a quarterly review cycle.