Solar facilities; local regulation. (SB429)

Introduced By

Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Moneta) with support from co-patrons Sen. Monty Mason (D-Williamsburg), and Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-Leesburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Local regulation of solar facilities. Provides that a property owner may install a solar facility on the roof of a dwelling or other building to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling or building, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located as well as any provisions pertaining to any local historic or architectural preservation district. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility shall also be permitted, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located as well as any provision pertaining to any local historic district. Any other proposed solar facility, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality. The bill requires that any ground-mounted solar energy generation facility existing as of January 1, 2018, be deemed a legal nonconforming use, with certain exceptions. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019, with respect to ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities. This bill is identical to HB 508. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/09/2018Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18104541D
01/09/2018Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
01/15/2018Rereferred from General Laws and Technology (14-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/15/2018Rereferred to Local Government
01/30/2018Reported from Local Government with substitute (12-Y 0-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
01/30/2018Committee substitute printed 18106156D-S1
02/01/2018Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2018Read second time
02/02/2018Reading of substitute waived
02/02/2018Committee substitute agreed to 18106156D-S1
02/02/2018Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB429S1
02/05/2018Passed by for the day
02/06/2018Passed by for the day
02/07/2018Engrossment reconsidered by Senate (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/07/2018Reading of amendment waived
02/07/2018Amendment by Senator Stanley agreed to
02/07/2018Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute with amendment SB429ES1
02/07/2018Printed as engrossed 18106156D-ES1
02/07/2018Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 1-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
02/07/2018Passed Senate (38-Y 1-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
02/14/2018Placed on Calendar
02/14/2018Read first time
02/14/2018Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
02/21/2018Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
02/21/2018Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
02/23/2018Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/27/2018Read second time
02/28/2018Read third time
02/28/2018Passed House (97-Y 0-N 2-A)
02/28/2018VOTE: PASSAGE (97-Y 0-N 2-A) (see vote tally)
03/05/2018Enrolled
03/05/2018Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB429ER)
03/05/2018Signed by Speaker
03/08/2018Signed by President
03/14/2018Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 14, 2018
03/14/2018G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, April 9, 2018
03/29/2018G Approved by Governor-Chapter 496 (effective - see bill)
03/29/2018G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0496)