Solar photovoltaic projects; special exceptions for any project.
Summary
Conditional zoning for solar photovoltaic projects. Authorizes any locality with a planning commission to include reasonable regulations and provisions for conditional zoning for solar photovoltaic(electric energy) projects of more than five megawatts, as measuredin alternating current (AC) generation capacity. The bill authorizes the governing body of such locality to accept a proffered conditionthat includes (i) dedication of real property of substantial valueor (ii) substantial cash payments for or construction of substantialpublic improvements, the need for which is not generated solely bythe granting of a conditional use permit or a rezoning itself, solong as such proffered conditions are reasonably related to the project.The bill also authorizes a zoning ordinance to include reasonableregulations to implement certain provisions related to conditionalproffers.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2020
Committee Review
Feb 2020
Senate Passage
Feb 2020
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2020
Signed into Law
Mar 2020
Introduced Jan 8, 2020
Signed Mar 23, 2020
Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2020 · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2020
How they voted
40–0
Passed
Total votes 40
Feb 6, 2020
D
Democratic21
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
33
Key actions
11
Committee
11
Mar 23, 2020
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 414 (effective 7/1/20)
executive
Feb 26, 2020
Lower · Passed
Passed House with substitute (97-Y 1-N)
lower
Feb 26, 2020
Lower · Passed
Engrossed by House - committee substitute SB870H1
lower
Feb 26, 2020
Lower · Passed
Committee substitute agreed to 20108734D-H1
lower
Feb 21, 2020
Lower · Passed
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (21-Y 1-N)
lower
Feb 21, 2020
Lower · Passed
House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
lower
Feb 20, 2020
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 18, 2020
Committee
Assigned CC & T sub: Land Use
lower
Feb 18, 2020
Committee
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
lower
Feb 6, 2020
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 5, 2020
Upper · Passed
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB870S1
upper
Feb 5, 2020
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute agreed to 20107271D-S1
upper
Feb 3, 2020
Upper · Passed
Reported from Local Government with substitute (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 8, 2020
Committee
Referred to Committee on Local Government
upper
Jan 8, 2020
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20102704D
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dave Marsden
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 870
Scope: VA
Hi! I can help you understand SB 870. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline