Iowa State-level Enabling Statutes Addressing Solar Energy

Enabling Statutes for local communities in the state
1. Iowa Smart Planning
a. Iowa State Code 18B Land Use – Smart Planning The Iowa Smart Planning Principles were signed into law in 2010, as a component of the Iowa Smart Planning Act. These principles must be considered and may be applied when local governments and state agencies make all appropriate planning, zoning, development and resource management decisions.
b. Principle 3, Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy. Planning, zoning, development and resource management should be undertaken to promote clean and renewable energy use and increased energy efficiency. Strategy 3.1: Encourage sustainable building practices. Strategy 3.2: Increase access to clean, renewable energy. Strategy 3.3: Support energy efficiency efforts in individual homes and businesses.
2. Comprehensive Planning – County
a. Iowa State Code 335.5 Regulations and Comprehensive Plan, Objectives. i. The regulations shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and designed to […] promote reasonable access to solar energy.
3. Zoning
a. Chapter 414 City Zoning 414.1 Building Restrictions – – Powers Granted. 1. For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, or the general welfare of the community or for the purpose of preserving historically significant areas of the community, any city is hereby empowered to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry residence, or other purposes. 2. 414.3 Basis of Regulations. The regulations shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and designed to […] promote reasonable access to solar energy […].
4. Enabling Solar Easements
a. Iowa Code 564A.7. Access to Solar Energy. Allows the purchase and holding of easements protecting access to solar. In situations where easements are not voluntarily agreed to, the individual or entity installing the solar energy system may apply to have a local board review and potentially grant an easement.
5. Enabling solar access in subdivision regulation
a. Iowa Code 564A.8. Restrictive Covenants. Iowa code authorizes municipalities to issue ordinances prohibiting subdivisions from including restrictions that limit the use of solar collectors.
https://www.growsolar.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Iowa-Toolkit-March2016.pdf