Wind Siting Rules
Wisconsin's wind siting rules establish statewide standards for both large and small wind turbines so you know what setback distances and noise limits apply in your area. If you're installing a small wind system (100 kW or less per turbine, 300 kW collective capacity), you must notify neighbors at least 60 days before applying, maintain setbacks equal to your turbine's maximum blade tip height, and keep noise at or below 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime. For larger systems, setbacks are greater (1.1 to 3.1 times blade tip height depending on proximity to homes), and the same noise standards apply.
Wisconsin's PSC Rule 128 creates uniform statewide siting requirements for wind installations, meaning you don't face a patchwork of local rules as long as you comply with the state standards. For small wind projects (≤100 kW individual turbines or ≤300 kW total), ensure written notice reaches required parties 60 days before application filing, meet blade-tip-height setbacks, and maintain 50/45 dBA noise limits; larger systems require 90-day notice and greater setbacks (1.1–3.1× blade tip height from occupied buildings or nonparticipating homes). Political subdivisions may regulate wind within their jurisdiction but cannot exceed these baseline requirements.
PSC administers Rule 128, which went into effect in March 2012 after initial suspension and legislative consideration. The rule establishes two tiers: small systems (≤100 kW individual or ≤300 kW collective) with 60-day notice and blade-height setbacks, and large systems (>300 kW or >100 kW individual) with 90-day notice and 1.1–3.1× blade-height setbacks near occupied structures. Local governments may choose to regulate up to 100 MW systems but cannot be stricter than the state rules; projects ≥100 MW fall under PSC siting jurisdiction. Rules cover notice, siting, noise, shadow flicker, stray voltage, construction, operation, and decommissioning.
Program details
- Program ID
- 4685
- Last updated
- 8/29/2024
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial industrial local government nonprofit residential schools state government
- Technologies
- wind (all) wind (small)
Program summary
Permitting Rules
In September 2009, the Governor of Wisconsin signed S.B. 185 (Act 40) directing the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish statewide wind energy siting rules. PSC Docket 1-AC-231 was created to conduct the rulemaking, requiring the PSC to convene an advisory council composed of various interested stakeholders (e.g. developers, political subdivisions, environmental groups, landowners, etc.). In December 2010, the Commission adopted the wind siting rules (PSC 128). The rules were scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2011, but on that date, the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules voted to suspend the rules. The legislature proposed several changes to the rule, but could not enact a replacement, and the PSC 128 wind siting rules became effective in March 2012. The rules are comprehensive and include notice requirements, siting and noise criteria, shadow flicker, stray voltage, construction, operation, and decommissioning. Separate rules apply to small wind systems with a collective capacity of 300 kW or less or an individual wind turbine with a capacity of 100 kW or less.
The rules apply to political subdivisions (city, town, village, county) regulation of wind energy systems up to 100 MW in size. Political subdivisions can choose whether or not to regulate wind energy systems; if they choose to regulate, they may not do so in a way that is more restrictive than the PSC's rules. Wind energy systems 100 MW in size or greater are under the siting jurisdiction of the PSC, and are not directly subject to these rules.
Large Wind Systems
Rules for systems of larger than 300 kW or individual turbines larger than 100 kW include the following:
- An owner must provide written notice of a planned wind system to specific parties at least 90 days before filing an application.
- Systems must be set back 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height. Systems near occupied community buildings or nonparticipating residences must be set back either 1,250 feet or 3.1 times the maximum blade tip height, whichever is less.
- Systems should be operated so that noise does not exceed 50 dBA during daytime hours or 45 dBA during nighttime hours.
Small Wind Systems
Rules for systems of 300 kW or less, or individual systems 100 kW or less, include the following:
- An owner must provide written notice of a planned system wind system to specific parties at least 60 days before filing an application.
- Systems must be set back the distance of the maximum blade tip height.
- Systems should be operated so that noise does not exceed 50 dBA during daytime hours or 45 dBA during nighttime hours.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- Stacy.Schumacher@wisconsin.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
