1. Regulations Applicable to All Accessory Solar Energy Systems.
A. Accessory solar energy systems are a permitted use in all zoning districts.
B. §150-60 Observance of Performance Standards must be adhered to.
(1) Exemptions.
(a) ASES constructed prior to the effective date of this Section shall not be required to meet the terms and conditions of this Part. Any physical modification to an existing ASES, whether or not existing prior to the effective date of this Section that materially alters the ASES, shall require approval under this Part. Routine maintenance or like-kind replacements do not require a permit.
C. The ASES layout, design and installation shall conform to applicable industry regulations and with all applicable fire and life safety requirements.
D. All on-site utilities, transmission lines less than 34.5 kV, and plumbing shall be placed underground to the greatest extent possible.
E. The ASES shall be designed to use the energy created primarily for on-site use.
F. All solar energy systems should be designed and located to ensure solar access without reliance on and/or interference from adjacent properties.
G. All ASES shall be situated to eliminate concentrated glare onto nearby structures or roadways.
2. Roof Mounted and Wall Mounted Accessory Solar Energy Systems.
A. A roof mounted or wall mounted ASES may be located on a principal or accessory building.
B. ASES mounted on roofs or walls of any building shall be subject to the maximum height regulations specified for buildings within each of the applicable zoning districts.
C. Wall mounted ASES shall comply with the building setbacks in the applicable zoning districts.
D. Solar panels shall not extend beyond any portion of the roof edge.
3. Ground Mounted Accessory Solar Energy Systems.
A. Setbacks.
(1) The minimum setbacks from side and rear property lines shall be equivalent to the building setbacks in the applicable zoning district.
(2) A ground mounted ASES shall not be located in the required front setback.
(3) Ground mounted ASES are prohibited in front yards unless unique physical circumstances or conditions exist that preclude it from being located in a side or rear yard. Such physical conditions may include, but are not limited to, topography, restricted solar access in other yards, other resource constraints, unusual situation of the principal use on the parcel, etc.
B. Freestanding ground mounted ASES solar panels shall not exceed 25 feet in height above the ground elevation surrounding the systems.
C. Coverage.
(1) The area beneath the ground mounted ASES is considered pervious cover. However, use of impervious construction materials under the system could cause the area to be considered impervious and subject to stormwater planning.
D. Ground mounted ASES shall not be placed within any legal easement or right-of-way location, or be placed within any storm water conveyance system, or in any other manner that would alter or impede storm water runoff from collecting in a construed storm water conveyance system.
E. If a ground mounted ASES is removed, any earth disturbance as a result of the removal of the ground mounted solar energy system shall be graded and returned to environmentally stable condition.
(Ord. 2024-01, §2)