Michigan’s Model Zoning Guidelines for Large-Scale Wind Systems

Michigan State University has updated a series of model zoning guidelines for large-scale wind systems originally drafted by the state’s Energy Office. The guidelines are designed for rural application and include Michigan-specific commentaries and case law.

The sample zoning language offers a range of options and does not prescribe a specific set of zoning requirements. Michigan’s land use patterns, average parcel sizes, and dwelling densities vary among communities, making a one-size-fits-all recommendation impractical.