The installation and construction of a geothermal energy system, referred to as a ground source heat pump system, shall be subject to the following development and design standards:
(a) Location. Ground source heat pump systems in accordance with the standards in this section are allowed as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts as a permitted accessory use.
(b) Accessory Use Standards.
(1) Ground source heat pump systems shall adhere to the applicable accessory use standards set forth in Chapter 1141 unless modified by this section.
(2) A ground source heat pump system shall not count toward the maximum number of permitted accessory uses allowed on a single parcel.
(c) System Requirements. Only closed loop ground source heat pump systems utilizing heat transfer fluids as defined in this Zoning Code are permitted. Open loop ground source heat pump systems are not permitted.
(d) Setbacks.
(1) All components of ground source heat pump systems including pumps, borings and loops shall maintain minimum setback distances as indicated in the chart below:
Set Back From… | Borehole and Geothermal Supply and Geothermal Return Well |
Delineated wetlands, flood plains, lakes, ponds, or other surface waters | 15 feet |
Storm drains, retention basins, stabilization ponds, or stormwater management facilities | 10 feet |
Preparation area or storage area of hazardous spray materials, fertilizers of chemicals, or salt piles | 300 feet (150 feet if borehole is cased and grouted inside and out) |
Gravity sewer lines and drains carrying domestic sewage or industrial waste | 10 feet (or outside easement) |
Existing water and forced sewer buried utilities and/or utility trenches | 15 feet (or outside easement) |
Septic tanks, aerobic tanks, or holding tanks | 25 feet |
Subsurface sewage disposal systems, elevated sand mounds, or other sewage disposal fields | 25 feet |
Sewage seepage pits and cesspools | 25 feet |
Farm silos, barnyards, privies, and fuel tanks | 25 feet |
Spray irrigation sites, sewage sludge, and septage disposal sites | 25 feet |
Dedicated public right-of-way and all property lines | 10 feet |
Building foundations (except for buildings enclosing water wells and/or water well pumps and any other source of pollution as approved) | 10 feet |
(2) Above-ground equipment associated with ground source heat pumps shall not be installed in the front yard of any lot or the side yard of a corner lot adjacent to a public right-of way shall meet all required setbacks for the applicable zoning district for an accessory use.
(e) Easements. Ground source heat pump systems shall not encroach on public or private drainage, utility or roadway easements.
(f) Noise. Ground source heat pump systems shall comply with the applicable performance standards set forth in this Zoning Code.
(g) Safety. Ground source heat pumps shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and meet the requirements of the Ohio State Basic Building Code.
(h) System Abandonment. If the ground source heat pump system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period of three hundred sixty five days, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a violation of this Zoning Code. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a demolition permit has been obtained in accordance with the following:
(1) The heat pump and any external mechanical equipment shall be removed.
(2) Pipes or coils below the land surface shall be filled with grout to displace the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid shall be captured and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. The top of the pipe, coil or boring shall be uncovered and grouted.
(3) Lake ground source heat pump systems shall be completely removed from the bottom of the body of water.
(i) Building Permit Required. A building permit and shall be obtained for any ground source heat pump system prior to installation or usage.
(Ord. 2022-24. Passed 5-24-22.)