HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4607        FILED ON: 11/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4331

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jacob R. Oliveira

_________________

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.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Jacob R. Oliveira

7th Hampden

11/19/2021

Natalie M. Blais

1st Franklin

11/19/2021

Lindsay N. Sabadosa

1st Hampshire

12/13/2021

Patricia A. Duffy

5th Hampden

12/13/2021

Mindy Domb

3rd Hampshire

2/10/2022

Jack Patrick Lewis

7th Middlesex

3/7/2022

Christine P. Barber

34th Middlesex

3/8/2022


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4607        FILED ON: 11/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4331

By Mr. Oliveira of Ludlow, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Natalie M. Blais relative to zoning ordinances for the regulation of the installation of solar energy systems.  Municipalities and Regional Government.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

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:
 

Section 3 of chapter 40A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the ninth paragraph, in lines 123 to 126, inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

No zoning ordinance or by-law shall prohibit or unreasonably regulate the installation of solar energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy for residential purposes except where necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. Commercial, governmental, and non-residential solar energy structures and systems may be reasonably regulated for purposes of (i) protecting public health, safety and welfare; (ii) preserving forested lands, agricultural lands, or wetlands; or (iii) ensuring compatibility with municipal zoning.