On December 21, 2021, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors enacted a temporary moratorium on issuance of conditional use permits for utility-scale solar energy systems with a cumulative nameplate alternating current (AC) capacity greater than 10 megawatts (MW) in unincorporated Johnson County. The moratorium will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. CT, June 5, 2022.   

Utility scale solar use and technology are evolving rapidly. This moratorium is a temporary pause. It will give County officials and staff time to consider changes to the review process and requirements for large-scale solar projects in the unincorporated area of Johnson County so that any approved projects use land appropriately and responsibly.

The procedural review process could change from a conditional use permit considered and acted upon by the Zoning Board of Adjustment to a rezoning request considered and acted upon by the Board of Supervisors, with an advisory vote from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Approval requirements could change depending on what research shows during the moratorium.

During this moratorium, applicants can still apply for conditional use permits for utility-scale solar energy systems with cumulative nameplate alternating current (AC) capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) or less, and these applications will be considered by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, following existing procedure.

The moratorium does not affect any other jurisdiction; it affects only the unincorporated area of Johnson County.