§1144. Facility siting
A. Any solar power generation facility with a footprint of seventy-five acres or more
which is not located wholly within an industrial-zoned area or a Louisiana Economic
Development certified site shall comply with the standards set forth in this Section.
B.(1) There shall be a buffer around the perimeter of each solar power generation
facility that includes setbacks and a vegetative barrier to screen the facility from view. The
vegetative barrier shall be comprised of native vegetation, shall ensure an opaque visual
barrier year round, and shall be designed to conceal the development from view from
adjoining properties. Stamped landscape plans by a licensed landscape architect or landscape
horticulturalist shall be required for permitting. Existing vegetation on-site may be retained
undisturbed in satisfaction of the vegetative barrier requirement if it otherwise meets the
requirements of this Section.
(2) For residential property, unless provided otherwise by written agreement between
the property owner and the facility operator, there shall be a three hundred foot setback from
the residential property line to the nearest solar device, with one of the following:
(a) A thirty-five foot deep vegetative barrier composed of new plant material.
(b) A fifty foot deep vegetative barrier composed of natural plant material.
(3) For natural and navigable water bodies, there shall be a one hundred foot setback
from the ordinary low water mark to the nearest solar device.
(4) For public roads, there shall be a fifty foot setback from the edge of the paved
road surface to the nearest solar device, with a thirty-five foot vegetative barrier.
C. Noise levels at the property line of the facility shall not exceed ten A-weighted
decibels (dbA) above the ambient noise level present at the property line prior to operation
of the facility.
D. The provisions of this Section shall apply to any solar power generation facility
for which construction begins after January 1, 2026.
Acts 2025, No. 279, §1.