Solar energy systems are a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts where structures of any sort are allowed, subject to certain requirements as set forth below. Solar carports and associated electric vehicle charging equipment are a permitted accessory use on surface parking lots in all districts regardless of the existence of another building. Solar energy systems that do not meet the following design standards will require a conditional use permit.
(A) Height. Solar energy systems must meet the following height requirements:
(1) Building- or roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum allowed height in any zoning district. For purposes of height measurement, solar energy systems other than building-integrated systems shall be given an equivalent exception to height standards as building-mounted mechanical devices or equipment.
(2) Ground- or pole-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt.
(3) Solar carports in non-residential districts shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(B) Setback. Solar energy systems must meet the accessory structure setback for the zoning district and principal land use associated with the lot on which the system is located, as allowed below.
(1) Roof- or building-mounted solar energy systems. 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. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side yard exposure. Solar collectors mounted on the sides of buildings and serving as awnings are considered to be building-integrated systems and are regulated as awnings.
(2) Ground-mounted solar energy systems. Ground-mounted solar energy systems may not extend into the side-yard or rear setback when oriented at minimum design tilt, except as otherwise allowed for building mechanical systems.
(C) Visibility. Solar energy systems in residential districts shall be designed to minimize visual impacts from the public right-of-way, as described in divisions (C)(1) through (3) of this section, to the extent that doing so does not affect the cost or efficacy of the system, consistent with I.C. § 36-7-2-8. Visibility standards do not apply to systems in non-residential districts, except for historic building or district review as described in division (E) below.
(1) Building-integrated photovoltaic systems. Building-integrated photovoltaic solar energy systems shall be allowed regardless of whether the system is visible from the public right-of-way, provided the building component in which the system is integrated meets all required setback, land use or performance standards for the district in which the building is located.
(2) Aesthetic restrictions. Roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not be restricted for aesthetic reasons if the system is not visible from the closest edge of any public right-of-way other than an alley or if the system meets the following standards.
(a) Roof-mounted systems on pitched roofs that are visible from the nearest edge of the front right-of-way shall have the same finished pitch as the roof and be no more than ten inches above the roof.
(b) Roof-mounted systems on flat roofs that are visible from the nearest edge of the front right-of-way shall not be more than five feet above the finished roof and are exempt from any rooftop equipment or mechanical system screening.
(3) Reflectors. All solar energy systems using a reflector to enhance solar production shall minimize glare from the reflector affecting adjacent or nearby properties.
(D) Lot coverage. Ground-mounted systems shall meet the existing lot coverage restrictions for the zoning district except as defined below.
(1) Ground-mounted systems shall be exempt from lot coverage or impervious surface standards if the soil under the collector is maintained in vegetation and not compacted.
(2) Ground-mounted systems shall not count toward the maximum number of accessory structures permitted.
(3) Solar carports in non-residential districts are exempt from lot coverage limitations.
(E) Historic buildings. Solar energy systems on buildings within designated historic districts or on locally designated historic buildings (exclusive of state or federal historic designation) must receive approval of the local Historic Preservation Commission, or equivalent, consistent with the standards for solar energy systems on historically designated buildings published by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
(F) Plan approval required. All solar energy systems requiring a building permit or other permit from the city shall provide a site plan for review.
(1) Plan applications. Plan applications for solar energy systems shall be accompanied by to-scale horizontal and vertical (elevation) drawings. The drawings must show the location of the system on the building or on the property for a ground-mounted system, including the property lines.
(2) Plan approvals. Applications that meet the design requirements of this subchapter shall be granted administrative approval by the zoning official and shall not require Planning Commission review. Plan approval does not indicate compliance with Building Code or Electric Code.
(G) Approved solar components. Electric solar energy system components must have an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or equivalent listing and solar hot water systems must have a Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC) or equivalent rating.
(H) Compliance with Building Code. All solar energy systems shall meet approval of local building code officials, consistent with the State of Indiana Building Code, and solar thermal systems shall comply with HVAC-related requirements of the Energy Code.
(I) Compliance with State Electric Code. All photovoltaic systems shall comply with the Indiana State Electric Code.
(J) Compliance with State Plumbing Code. Solar thermal systems shall comply with applicable Indiana State Plumbing Code requirements.
(K) Utility notification. It is recommended that the interconnection application be submitted to the utility prior to applying for required permits. Grid-tied solar energy systems shall comply with interconnection requirements of the electric utility. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
(Ord. 23-2022, passed 12-19-22)