The installation and construction of a solar energy system shall be subject to the following development and design standards.
(a) Residential Zoning Districts. Solar energy systems are permitted in residential zoning districts as follows:
(1) A roof mounted solar energy system is permitted in all residential zoning districts as an accessory use and subject to the applicable regulations found in this chapter including the applicable accessory use standards found in Chapter 1141.
(2) Ground mounted solar energy systems are prohibited in all residential zoning districts.
(b) Non-Residential Zoning Districts. Solar energy systems are permitted in non-residential zoning districts as follows:
(1) Roof mounted or ground mounted solar energy systems are permitted as an accessory use only in all non-residential zoning districts subject to the applicable accessory use standards found in Chapter 1141.
(2) A ground mounted solar energy system shall not exceed the maximum building height for accessory buildings permitted in the zoning district where proposed to be located.
(3) The surface area of a ground mounted solar energy system and any ancillary mechanical equipment when approved as an accessory use on a parcel shall be calculated as part of the overall lot coverage. The maximum allowable lot coverage area shall be the same as permitted for accessory uses in the zoning district for which the system is located.
(4) Impervious Surface Calculations for Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems. The surface area of any ground mounted solar energy system, regardless of the mounted angle of any portion of the system, is considered impervious surface and shall be calculated as part of the lot coverage limitations for the zoning district. If the ground-mounted system is mounted above an existing impervious surface, it shall not be calculated as additional impervious surface area as part of the lot coverage limitations for the zoning district.
(5) A ground mounted solar energy system or system attached to an accessory building shall not be located within the required front yard setback.
(6) The minimum solar energy system setback distance from the property lines shall be equivalent to the accessory use building setback requirement of the respective zoning district.
(7) A ground mounted solar energy system and any appurtenances shall be fully screened with a solid wood fence meeting the fence requirements provided for the respective zoning district.
(c) General Solar Energy System Standards.
(1) A solar energy system approved as an accessory use in any zoning district shall provide power for the principal use and accessory use of the property on which the solar energy system is located and shall not be used for the generation of power for the sale of energy to other users, although this provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit the sale of excess power generated from time to time to the local utility company.
(2) A solar energy system connected to the utility grid shall provide written authorization from the local utility company acknowledging and approving such connection.
(3) A roof mounted system may be mounted on a principal building or accessory building. A roof mounted system whether mounted on the principal building or accessory building, may not exceed the maximum building height or accessory building height specified for the building type in the underlying zoning district. In no instance shall any part of the solar energy system extend beyond the edge of the roof.
A. The panels located on any sloped roof shall not be located within three feet of any peak, eave, or valley of the roof to maintain pathways of accessibility.
B. For a roof mounted system installed on a sloped roof that faces any front yard of a lot, the system must be installed at the same angle as the roof on which it is installed with a maximum distance, measured perpendicular to the roof, of eighteen inches between the roof and highest edge or surface of the system.
C. For a roof mounted system installed on a sloped roof that faces any side yard or rear yard of a lot, the system may be installed at an angle that varies from the roof angle on which it is installed.
Roof Mounted Solar Energy System Placement
Methods to Determine the placement of roof mounted solar energy system equipment.
D. Roof mounted systems are permitted to face any rear, side and front yard or any unregulated yard area as defined in this Zoning Code. Roof mounted systems may only be mounted on legally permitted principal or accessory structures.
E. For a roof mounted system installed on a flat roof, the highest point of the system shall be permitted to extend up to six feet above the roof to which it is attached. However, in no instance shall the roof mounted system extend beyond the maximum height for a structure in the respective zoning district for which the lot is located.
F. The maximum roof mounted system height shall be based on the type of structure for which the roof mounted system is attached consisting of either a permitted structure height or an accessory structure height.
G. If a roof mounted system is to be installed on any building or structure that is nonconforming because its height violates the height restrictions of the zoning district in which it is located, the roof mounted system shall be permitted so long as the roof mounted system does not extend above the peak or highest point of the roof to which it is mounted and so long as it complies with the other provisions of this Zoning Code.
H. If a ground mounted system is to be installed on a lot containing a structure that is non-conforming because the required minimum setbacks are exceeded, the proposed system shall be permitted so long as the system does not encroach into the minimum legal setback area as set forth in the current setback requirements of the zoning district which the lot is located. If a ground mounted system is to be installed on a lot that is non-conforming because it violates zoning district requirements other than setbacks, then a variance must first be obtained for the proposed installation.
I. The number of solar panels and supporting equipment shall be considered as one solar energy system.
J. In any residential zoning district, the total area of all roof mounted solar energy equipment shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total roof area.
(d) Ancillary Mechanical Equipment Standards. All mechanical equipment associated with and necessary for the operation of the solar energy system shall comply with the following:
(1) Ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be fully screened from any adjacent property that is residentially zoned or used for residential purposes. The screening shall consist of shrubbery, trees, or other plant materials which provides a 100% opaque visual screen. In lieu of a vegetation screen, a six foot minimum, solid wood fence as approved by the Building Commissioner.
(2) Roof mounted mechanical equipment systems mounted on a flat roof shall not be visible from the farthest edge of the public right-of-way, exclusive of a defined alley, measured at a level of five feet from the ground in a similar manner as to any other roof mounted HVAC or mechanical equipment. This can be accomplished with architectural screening such as a building parapet or by setting the system back from the roof edge in such a manner that the solar energy PV system is not visible from the farthest edge of the public right-of-way when measured at a distance of five feet from the ground.
Solar Energy System Placement for a Flat Roof
Methods to Determine the placement of flat roof mounted solar energy system equipment.
(3) Roof mounted mechanical equipment systems installed on a sloped roof shall not be required to be screened.
(4) Ground mounted mechanical equipment shall not be located within the minimum front yard setback of the underlying zoning district.
(5) Ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be setback at least ten(10)feet from the rear and side property lines.
(6) No part of a ground-mounted solar energy system shall extend into the required setbacks due to a tracking system or other adjustment of solar PV related equipment or parts.
(e) Solar panels shall be placed such that concentrated solar radiation or glare shall not be directed onto nearby properties or roadways. Solar panels shall not be placed in the vicinity of the airport in a manner that would interfere with airport flight patterns. Acknowledgement from the Federal Aviation Administration may be necessary. All power transmission lines from a ground mounted solar energy system to any building or other structure shall be located underground.
(f) A solar energy system shall not be used to display advertising, including signage, streamers, pennants, spinners, reflectors, ribbons, tinsel, balloons, flags, banners or similar materials. The manufacturers’ or installers’ identification and any appropriate warning signs and placards may be displayed on the solar energy system provided they comply with the prevailing sign regulations.
(g) Where general standards within this Zoning Code and specific criteria provided for in this chapter overlap, the specific criteria shall supersede the general standards.
(Ord. 2022-24. Passed 5-24-22.)