Rockbridge County staff have drafted substantial revisions to Section 717.00 (Solar Facilities) and related definitions of Public Utility Service, major and minor to comply with Virginia House Bill 711, which tightens local authority over ground‑mounted solar projects of one megawatt or more effective July 1, 2026. The draft includes detailed siting requirements, stormwater and land disturbance standards, height and setback rules, pollinator-friendly groundcover, decommissioning and bonding requirements, public information meetings, and wildlife passage provisions, and will need refinement around land disturbance language tied to HB 711 §15.2‑2288.8 (6‑9). Staff plan to bring the solar zoning text amendment to a Planning Commission public hearing at the July 8, 2026 meeting following the June 10 discussion of state code changes. This is a major policy and permitting framework update that will shape how community and utility‑scale solar is sited and approved in Rockbridge County, creating opportunities for solar developers, environmental consultants, decommissioning and bond-estimating experts, and legal/planning consultants to influence standards, propose compliant projects, and support landowners interested in solar leases under the new rules.

Draft text tightly defines panel zone thresholds (0.25 acre), distinguishes major vs. minor utilitie...