Lafayette, IN

In 2025, Lafayette earned Charging Smart Bronze designation in recognition of their work to remove barriers to EV charging infrastructure. Their actions included clarifying permitting processes for charging stations, training municipal staff in best practices, and more!

Lafayette, Indiana earned SolSmart Bronze in 2025 by completing comprehensive zoning updates, training permitting & inspection staff, and other efforts that made it easier and more affordable to install solar PV!

• Installed solar PV on local government facilities and/or local government-controlled land
• Posted an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of the community’s permitting process for residential rooftop solar PV
• Trained permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Trained inspection staff on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Provided an online process for solar PV permit submission and approval
• Codified in the zoning ordinance that accessory use rooftop solar PV is explicitly allowed by-right in all major zones
• Ensured the zoning ordinance permits small ground-mounted solar PV as an accessory use in at least one zoning district
• Ensured the zoning ordinance exempts small ground-mounted solar PV from certain restrictions on accessory uses (e.g. setbacks, coverage or impervious surface calculations, or other restrictions)
• Ensured the zoning ordinance establishes a clear regulatory pathway for large-scale solar PV (e.g. through a special use permit or through inclusion among allowed conditional uses)
• Ensured the zoning ordinance includes a native perennial vegetation and/or habitat-friendly ground cover requirement or standard for large-scale solar PV
• Ensured the zoning ordinance establishes solar energy zones and/or solar overlays for large-scale solar PV
• Reviewed zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Ensured the zoning ordinance language does not include intentional or unintentional barriers to accessory use rooftop solar PV
• Ensured the zoning ordinance requires a decommissioning plan that outlines the terms and conditions for a large-scale solar PV system’s proper removal at the end of its useful life cycle or in the event of cessation of operation