SolarRisk Tracker / Explore / ID / Bonner

Bonner County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment

Local solar ordinance barriers, board sentiment, and utility policies that affect development timelines and risk.

46.5
Risk Grade
Good
Conservative rural county with growing Liberty-movement in-migration; no solar framework; opposition to land use changes; Avista territory
Assessment Snapshot
Population
47200
State Rank
#14
Compliance
40%
Trajectory
40

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
General rural setback requirements; potential for increased setbacks given neighbor opposition
Zoning Mechanism
Conditional Use Permit via Bonner County Planning Dept; public hearings required
Acreage Caps
None established
Density Caps
None established
Spacing Rules
Not specified
Size Restrictions
General structure height limits

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Mixed — Sandpoint arts community somewhat favorable; broader rural county skeptical; some vocal opposition to utility-scale
Basis for Assessment
Sandpoint progressive arts/recreation community vs. conservative rural county; concern about ag land conversion; property rights discourse
Political Risk Factors
Slightly Declining
Board Members
Luke Omodt (Chair); Steve Bradshaw; Asia Williams

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
Avista Utilities / WECC-NWPP
Utilities
Avista Utilities, Bonner County Rural Electric Cooperative
State Permitting Process
County CUP process; state building code
State Incentives
Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Avista net metering

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
None verified
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
0

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Last verified: April 2026 (web research) | SolarRisk Tracker | Data sources: Government records, utility filings, public meeting minutes