All solar energy systems are subject to the accessory use standards for the district in which it is located, including, but not limited to, setback, height and coverage limits.
(A) Aesthetic. Solar energy systems are subject to the following aesthetic standards.
(1) Installation on residential structures must be designed to blend into the architecture of the building.
(2) Installation on commercial structures shall be placed on the roof to limit visibility from the public right-of-way or to blend into the roof design, provided that minimizing visibility still allows the property owner to reasonably capture solar energy.
(3) The color of the solar collector is not required to be consistent with other roofing materials.
(4) Active solar energy systems that do not meet the aesthetic standards will require a conditional use permit.
(B) Size. For residential applications, under no circumstances shall a solar array exceed 40 kW.
(C) Height.
(1) Building- or roof-mounted systems. Shall not exceed the maximum height allowed in any zoning district.
(a) Shall be no higher than 24 inches above the roof.
(b) For purposes of height measurement, solar systems other than building-integrated systems shall be considered to be mechanical devices and are restricted consistent with other building- mounted mechanical devices for the zoning district in which the system is being installed, except that solar energy systems shall not be required to be screened.
(2) Ground- or pole-mounted systems. Shall not exceed 20 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt.
(D) Set-backs. Active solar energy systems must meet the accessory structure setback for the zoning district and primary land use associated with the lot on which the system is located.
(1) Building- or roof-mounted systems.
(a) In addition to the building setback, the collector surface and mounting devices for roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built, unless the collector and mounting system has been explicitly engineered to safely extend beyond the edge, and setback standards are not violated.
(b) Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side yard exposure.
(2) Ground- or pole-mounted systems. Must be set back from the property line the same distance as required for other accessory structures and may not extend into the side- or rear-yard setback when oriented at minimum design tilt.
(E) Impervious coverage. The surface area of pole- or ground-mount systems must comply with the city’s overall impervious coverage requirements. Impervious coverage will be calculated based on the footprint of the system at minimum tilt.
(1) Building- or roof-mounted systems. Shall allow for adequate roof access to the south-facing or flat roof upon which the panels are mounted.
(2) Ground- or pole-mounted system. The collector surface of any foundation, compacted soil or other component of the solar installation is considered impervious surface.
(3) Stormwater runoff. Vegetated ground under the collector surface shall be used to mitigate stormwater runoff.
(F) Glare. All solar energy systems shall minimize glare so as not to affect adjacent or nearby properties. Measures to minimize glare include selective placement of the system, screening on the north and/or sides of the solar array, modifying the orientation of the system, reducing use of the reflector system or other remedies that limit glare.
(G) Historic buildings. Solar energy systems on buildings within Designated Historic Districts or on locally designated historic buildings (exclusive of state or federal historic designation) will require an administrative permit and a design review by the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC).
(Prior Code, § 12-230) (Ord. 03-2015, passed 8-18-2015)