1. Minimum System Height: In no case shall the height be less than 60 feet. In cases where the manufacturer's minimum height recommendation is higher than 60 feet, that recommendation shall be used as the minimum allowable height.
2. Maximum System Height: There is no limitation on system height, except as imposed by FAA regulations and the required setbacks set forth in this Chapter 27.
3. Building Mounted Systems: Wind turbines mounted on buildings are still required to follow the industry standard that the entire wind turbine should be 30 feet above all obstructions within a 500-foot radius of the turbine, including the structure to which it is mounted, and the surrounding tree height.
4. Setback: no part of the wind system structure, including guy wire anchors or any other appurtenance may extend closer than ten feet to any property boundary line. No setback requirement shall exceed the total system height as measured to the center of the base of the tower.
5. Access: To prevent unauthorized climbing, climbing pegs shall be removed from the lower ten feet of the tower, or ladder access shall be restricted.
6. Signage: A “Danger, High Voltage” sign shall be installed where it is clearly visible by persons standing near the tower base.
7. Sound: During normal operation, small wind energy systems shall not exceed five (5) dBA over ambient sound as measured at the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling that exists or is permitted for construction at the time of permit application for the wind energy system.
8. Compliance with Building Codes: Permit applications for wind energy systems shall comply with all applicable state and local building codes.
9. Tower and foundation drawings provided by the manufacturer or the project developer shall be submitted with the application.
10. Applications for roof-mounted (or other non-traditionally mounted) turbines must include a wet stamped structural engineering analysis for the turbine mounting system and for the suitability of the building to which the turbine is to be mounted.
11. Compliance with FAA Regulations: Wind energy systems must comply with applicable FAA regulations, including any necessary approvals for installations close to airports.
12. Decommissioning: A small wind system that has reached the end of its useful life shall be removed within six months of such determination. A wind system is considered to have reached the end of its useful life when it has been inoperable for 12 consecutive months. Time extensions are allowed when good faith efforts to repair the turbine can be demonstrated. Foundations need not be removed.
(Ord. 2015-06, 9/28/2015)