(a) A solar energy system may be installed on the ground or on a wall or roof of a principal or accessory building.
(b) A roof mounted system shall not extend more than two feet above the roof line.
(c) A roof or wall mounted solar energy system shall only be located on that portion of the roof or wall which faces a side or rear lot line unless the applicant can demonstrate to the Community Development Director that such location would render the system ineffective or that the construction or slope of the roof makes installation of the system impractical in which case the system may be placed in another location on the roof or wall.
(d) A solar energy system installed in the front yard shall not exceed 42 inches in height, if installed in the side or rear yard shall not exceed six feet in height, as measured from the highest point of the solar energy system to the ground if it is a ground mounted system. A solar energy system that is a roof mounted system shall not exceed 42 inches in height as measured from the point of attachment to the roof.
(e) A ground mounted solar energy system and a solar energy system attached to an accessory building shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) A solar energy system shall not be erected in any front yard unless the applicant can demonstrate that other locations in the yard would not allow the system to function as efficiently as in the front yard. In such case the system may be placed in the front yard but shall only be as close to the front lot line as necessary to permit the system to function efficiently.
(2) Setbacks:
A. In all residential zones, a solar energy system, when placed in a side or rear yard, shall be a minimum of ten feet from the principal building, and shall be no closer than six feet to any lot line.
B. In all non-residential zones, a solar energy system, when placed in a side or rear yard, shall be a minimum of ten feet from any princnipal building, and shall be no closer than ten feet from any lot line.
C. When a solar energy system is located on a corner lot, which is considered to have two front yards and two side years for the purposes of this chapter, the solar energy system shall not be located in either front yard except as may be allowed by paragraph (e)(1) herein.
(3) A solar energy system shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the lot area.
(f) Multiple solar panels and supporting equipment shall be considered one system.
(g) The granting of any permit for a solar energy system does not constitute solar access rights.
(h) A solar energy system shall be constructed and placed so it does not create glare for persons off-site.
(i) A solar energy system shall be properly maintained at all times.
(j) A solar energy system which is no longer used for its intended purpose shall be removed within 60 days of notification by the Community Development Director.
(Ord. 474. Passed 5-4-10.)