# Virginia SB697: Solar and energy facilities; local regulation.

Virginia SB697, Solar and energy facilities; local regulation., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Counties, Cities and Towns) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB697-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB697
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Solar and energy facilities; local regulation.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-19
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Counties, Cities and Towns
- Sponsor: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Counties, Cities and Towns
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 5 (70 yes, 24 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Solar and energy facilities; local regulation. Prohibits a locality from including in an ordinance (i) limits on the total amount, density, or size of any ground-mounted solar facility or energy storage facility until such time that the total area under panels within the locality exceeds four percent of the total area within the locality or (ii) any prohibitions on the use of solar panels that comply with generally accepted national environmental protection and product safety standards, provided that such installation is in compliance with any provisions of a local ordinance that establishes criteria and requirements for siting.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-28 | House | Continued to 2025 in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-02-27 | House | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-02-12 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 21 | 18 |   |
| 2024-02-08 | Senate | Reported from Local Government with substitute | pass | 9 | 6 |   |
| 2024-02-08 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed | pass | 40 | 0 |   |

## Actions (22)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Counties, Cities and Towns (House)
- 2024-02-28: Continued to 2025 in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-02-27: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-02-19: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #3 (House)
- 2024-02-15: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns (House)
- 2024-02-15: Read first time (House)
- 2024-02-15: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2024-02-12: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Printed as engrossed 24107025D-ES1 (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute with amendments SB697ES1 (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Amendments by Senator VanValkenburg agreed to (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Reading of amendments waived (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Committee substitute agreed to 24107025D-S1 (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Reading of substitute waived (Senate)
- 2024-02-09: Read second time (Senate)
- 2024-02-08: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-08: Committee substitute printed 24107025D-S1 (Senate)
- 2024-02-08: Reported from Local Government with substitute (9-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-08: Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Impact statement from DHCD/CLG (SB697) (Senate)
- 2024-01-19: Referred to Committee on Local Government (Senate)
- 2024-01-19: Presented and ordered printed 24104547D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Engrossed, 2024-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB697)
- Substitute, 2024-02-08: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB697)
- Introduced, 2024-01-19: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB697)
- Amendment: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB697)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Engrossed (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB697)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB697-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).