The DuPage County Development Committee voted 6-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to approve zoning rules for commercial solar, wind and battery storage facilities in unincorporated areas.
The vote advances Text Amendment T-2-26, which updates the county's zoning ordinance to comply with the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA). Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed that state law on Jan. 8, and it took effect June 1. Counties with conflicting zoning ordinances had 120 days from June 1 to comply.
The DuPage County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) also approved the amendment 6-0, with one member absent. Both votes send the ordinance to the full County Board for final adoption. The rules would apply across unincorporated DuPage County, including land near Wheaton and West Chicago.
What the rules cover
The amendment establishes zoning regulations for five categories: small wind energy systems, private solar energy systems, commercial wind energy facilities, commercial solar energy facilities and energy storage systems. The state law fills a gap left by a 2023 measure that set statewide standards for commercial wind and solar but did not address stand-alone battery storage projects.
Under the CRGA, energy storage systems above 1 megawatt of capacity must meet specific siting requirements. Those include setbacks of 150 feet from occupied buildings and homes not participating in a project, 50 feet from neighboring property lines and 50 feet from the nearest public right-of-way, according to a legal analysis by Taft Law. Fencing between 7 and 25 feet high is also required.
County permit fees for energy storage projects are capped at $5,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity or $50,000, whichever is less. Counties must issue a decision within 30 days after a public hearing on an application.
What comes next
The Development Committee waived first reading of the ordinance at its Sept. 1 meeting.
The full County Board must still vote. No date for that vote has been confirmed.
