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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1020 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3230
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Aaron L. Saunders
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act allowing municipalities to reasonably regulate solar siting.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Aaron L. Saunders7th Hampden1/17/2023Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire1/25/2023Michael P. Kushmerek3rd Worcester1/31/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1020 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3230
By Representative Saunders of Belchertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3230)
of Aaron L. Saunders, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Michael P. Kushmerek relative to zoning
ordinances for the regulation of the installation of solar energy systems. Telecommunications,
Utilities and Energy.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4331 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act allowing municipalities to reasonably regulate solar siting.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 3 of chapter 40A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by striking out the ninth paragraph, in lines 123 to 126, inclusive, and
3inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
4 No zoning ordinance or by-law shall prohibit or unreasonably regulate the installation of
5solar energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy for
6residential purposes except where necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare.
7Commercial, governmental, and non-residential solar energy structures and systems may be
8reasonably regulated for purposes of (i) protecting public health, safety and welfare; (ii) 2 of 2
9preserving forested lands, agricultural lands, or wetlands; or (iii) ensuring compatibility with
10municipal zoning.