# ORS § 215.044: 215.044 Solar access ordinances

> Oregon · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.044

## Section

- **Citation:** ORS § 215.044
- **Heading:** 215.044 Solar access ordinances
- **Jurisdiction:** Oregon
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** OR Code / Title 20 / Chapter 215 / Section 215.044

## Text

(1) County governing bodies may adopt and implement solar access ordinances. The ordinances shall provide and protect to the extent feasible solar access to the south face of buildings during solar heating hours, taking into account latitude, topography, microclimate, existing development, existing vegetation and planned uses and densities. The county governing body shall consider for inclusion in any solar access ordinance, but not be limited to, standards for:

(a) The orientation of new streets, lots and parcels;

(b) The placement, height, bulk and orientation of new buildings;

(c) The type and placement of new trees on public street rights of way and other public property; and

(d) Planned uses and densities to conserve energy, facilitate the use of solar energy, or both.

(2) The State Department of Energy shall actively encourage and assist county governing bodies’ efforts to protect and provide for solar access.

(3) As used in this section, “solar heating hours” means those hours between three hours before and three hours after the sun is at its highest point above the horizon on December 21. [1981 c.722 §2]

Source: Section 215.044 — Solar access ordinances; purpose; standards , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors215.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).

## Nearby sections

- [ORS § 215.010 215.010 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.010.md)
- [ORS § 215.020 215.020 Authority to establish county planning commissions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.020.md)
- [ORS § 215.030 215.030 Membership of planning commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.030.md)
- [ORS § 215.042 215.042 Planning director](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.042.md)
- [ORS § 215.044 215.044 Solar access ordinances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.044.md)
- [ORS § 215.047 215.047 Effect of comprehensive plan and land use regulations on solar access ordinances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.047.md)
- [ORS § 215.050 215.050 Comprehensive planning, zoning and subdivision ordinances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.050.md)
- [ORS § 215.060 215.060 Procedure for action on plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.060.md)
- [ORS § 215.080 215.080 Power to enter upon land](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.080.md)
- [ORS § 215.090 215.090 Information made available to commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.090.md)
- [ORS § 215.100 215.100 Cooperation with other agencies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.100.md)
- [ORS § 215.110 215.110 Recommendations for implementation of comprehensive plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.110.md)
- [ORS § 215.130 215.130 Application of ordinances and comprehensive plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.130.md)
- [ORS § 215.135 215.135 Expansion of nonconforming school in exclusive farm use zone](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.135.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OR_T20_C215_S215.044. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.