Solar permitting — Campbell County, Virginia

Setbacks & buffers

Campbell County-specific SE/SUP conditions control — county-set setbacks vary from 50 ft (rural) to 300+ ft (residential adjacent). Verify current Campbell County zoning ordinance for adopted local setback standards. — NOTE: the distances above are a STATE-level fallback, not a figure read from this county's own ordinance. We hold siting-rule records for this county which may include a stricter local limit we have not yet extracted. Verify against the county's own ordinance before relying on these.

Spacing requirements

None codified

Size restrictions

None codified

Penalties & bonding

Total penalty: +10 (Denial +10)

State-level permits & approvals

Local permit: Special Use Permit (SUP) or Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in A-1 Agricultural zoning; issued by Board of Supervisors (BOS) or Planning Commission per county ordinance. Counties without zoning (Buchanan, Russell, Lee, Scott, etc.) proceed via revenue-sharing siting agreements. SCC CPCN: Va. Code §56-580 (as amended by HB 1558/SB 762, eff. Jul 2021) — SCC Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity required for generating facilities ≥5 MW; waivable for utility-owned projects under SCC-approved IRP. DEQ Permit by Rule (PBR): Required for all solar facilities ≥1 MW per Va. Code §10.1-1197.6; includes VSMP/VPDES erosion & stormwater permits. Mar 2022 DEQ rule: solar panels counted as impervious surface same as parking lots. Revenue sharing: Va. Code §15.2-2288.7 — localities may require up to $1,400/MW-year for utility-scale solar on agricultural or forestal land; increases 10% in year 1 then every 5 years thereafter. VDACS notice: VA Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services must be notified for projects converting prime agricultural or forestal land. PENDING LEGISLATION (as of Mar 11, 2026): HB 711 (Herring) / SB 347 (VanValkenburg) both cleared both chambers and await Gov. Spanberger's signature (session ends Mar 14, 2026). If signed: (1) all localities must allow solar ≥1 MW via special exception — outright bans illegal; (2) statewide setback floor: 150–200 ft non-participating dwellings, 50–100 ft from state roads, 100–250 ft from streams/wetlands, 50–75 ft from property lines; (3) localities retain denial authority but must report reasons to SCC public database; (4) companion HB 891/SB 443: BESS permitted accessory use on approved solar SE sites. Spanberger is pro-solar; signature expected. Monitor: lis.virginia.gov.

State incentive programs

Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA, 2020): Dominion must reach 100% carbon-free by 2045; Appalachian Power by 2050; major driver of utility-scale solar procurement. Net metering: available under VCEA for systems up to 1 MW (by-right); large-scale behind-the-meter negotiated. SCC SolarShare: Dominion program offering renewable energy credits. Virtual net metering (Virginia): programs vary by utility. DEQ review: required for solar facilities ≥150 MW (permit by rule) or DEQ standalone review. Utility: Dominion Energy Virginia serves 2/3 of VA; Appalachian Power (AEP) serves western VA; Northern Virginia Electric Coop (NOVEC) serves NoVA exurbs; various rural cooperatives and municipal utilities.

Grid & interconnection

PJM / Dominion Energy Virginia (DEV) transmission zone

• 2023-10-03 County Board

  Data Center

  The Board of Supervisors denied a rezoning request to allow a data center on a property in Campbell County.

  agenda
• 2022-03-01 Other

  Solar

  Arthur, for a special use permit to construct a community solar garden on property zoned Agricultural.

  agenda
• 2021-01-25 Planning Commission

  Solar

  Commissioners introduced a resolution to review and modify local ordinances for solar farm usage.

  agenda
• 2018-01-22 Planning Commission

  Solar

  Commissioners introduced a resolution to review and modify local ordinances for solar farm usage.

  agenda
• Zoning Board

  Data Center

  The county discussed a data center project, defining its scope and characteristics.

  agenda
• Planning Commission

  Solar

  Mitchell, Zoning and Subdivision Administrator ARM CC: Paul Harvey, Community Development Director Subject: Special Use Permit Request #PL-18-103 (Depot Road) Date: August 17, 2018 ___________________________________________________________

  agenda
• Other

  Solar

  Dragonfly Solar LLC requests a special use permit for an 80 MWac solar facility in Campbell County, Virginia.

  agenda
• County Board

  Data Center

  The public hearing for a data center project was closed after citizens spoke in favor of requiring a special use permit.

  agenda
• County Board

  Data Center

  The Board discussed potential tax revenue and regulatory requirements for a data center project.

  agenda
• County Board

  Solar

  Residents expressed concerns about a proposed power line route for a solar project.

  agenda
• Other

  Data Center

  Campbell County clarified that a data center sign on Mount Athos Road is unrelated to the Cabin Field Road project and has no further information on development interest.

  agenda

• 2026-06-11 From Tech Glitches To Unanswered Emails Residents Cite Communication Gaps In Valley Link Transmission Line Projectcvilletomorrow.org
• 2026-05-28 Residents Wrangle Over Transmission Line Proposal Rural Virginiasej.org
• 2026-04-22 Data Centers Energy Demand Drives Grid Construction In Central Virginiawvtf.org
• 2026-04-09 How Apco And Experts React As Virginias Power Grid Faces Pressure From New Data Centerswsls.com
• 2026-03-25 Orange Community Members Pack Board Meeting Oppose Proposed 1 Billion Transmission Line29news.com
• 2026-03-12 Massive Power Transmission Line Planned For Campbell To Culpepercardinalnews.org
• 2026-03-05 Valley Link Seeks Community Input On Proposed Transmission Line Route Through Central Virginiacvilletomorrow.org
• 2026-02-04 Campbell County Leaders Approve Solar Farm Site Off Brookneal Highway Dominion Energy George Jamerson Virginia Electric And Power Company…wset.com
• 2026-01-03 Virginia Tech Seeks Create Research Center Address Data Center Issueswdbj7.com
• 2025-12-03 Campbell County Board Of Supervisors Votes On Emergency Ordinance To Require Data Centers To Apply For Special Use Permit Zoning…wset.com
• 2025-12-02 Campbell County Board Expected To Debate New Rules For Data Centers In Tuesday Meeting December 2025wset.com
• 2025-11-25 Regulators Ok Appalachian Power Bill Increase To Cover Renewable Energy Costscardinalnews.org