Statewide Renewable Energy Setback Standards

While Illinois does not have a model wind ordinance* in place, it has established a maximum setback limit for wind turbines.** State law has established that no municipality or county government may require a wind turbine (or other renewable energy system) used for onsite energy generation to be setback more than 1.1 times the height of the system from the end user's property line. Under H.B. 1201, municipalities may prohibit any electric-generating wind device with a nameplate capacity of 100 kilowatts or greater permitted after August 9, 2013, from locating within its corporate limits.

The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs offers a database of county ordinances and zoning laws related to wind.

*Typically, model wind ordinances address more than just setback limits, and may also include guidance/recommended policies regarding multiple turbines, lot sizes, sound, insurance, aesthetics, and height, among others.

**The law specifies wind turbines as well as "other renewable energy system[s]," but in practice this limit will apply to wind turbines for onsite generation and use.