Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions.
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-2241.2, 15.2-2288.7, and 15.2-2288.8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local regulation of solar facilities; special exceptions.” Read the full text
2026 session
What it does
Local regulation of solar facilities; special exceptions. Provides that a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned agricultural, commercial, industrial, or institutional shall be considered pursuant to various criteria to be included in a local ordinance, such as specifications for setbacks, fencing, solar panel height, visual impacts, grading, and a decommissioning plan for solar energy equipment and facilities, unless otherwise permitted by right. The bil
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Introduced · Jan 13, 2026
Acts of Assembly Chapter 1005 (latest official status)
Latest official status shown, exactly as the official record states it. The step by step history lives on the official page linked below.
The numbers
1
sponsor on the bill
Sponsors
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg
Recorded votes
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A)House of Delegates · 2026-04-22 · P · Y 64, N 34, X 2
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (18-Y 18-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-04-22 · P · Y 18, N 18, X 4
House substitute agreed to by SenateSenate · 2026-02-19 · P · Y 21, N 18, X 1
Passed House with substitute (63-Y 35-N 0-A)House of Delegates · 2026-02-16 · P · Y 63, N 35, X 2
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (15-Y 6-N)House of Delegates · 2026-02-13 · P · Y 15, X 1, N 6
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-01-30 · P · Y 21, N 17, X 2
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-01-27 · P · Y 39, X 1
Reported from Local Government with amendments (8-Y 5-N 1-A)Senate · 2026-01-26 · P · Y 8, N 5, A 1, X 1
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the Virginia legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter 1005.