Loading...
(A) Solar energy systems may be allowed as a conditional use in all zoning districts in accordance with the standards in this section.
(B) Solar energy systems shall be considered an accessory use in all districts and shall not be allowed as a principle use in any zoning district.
(C) Exemptions. The following systems shall be exempt from the requirements of this section and shall be regulated as any other building element:
(1) Building integrated solar energy systems.
(2) Passive solar energy systems.
(Ord. 457, passed 10-16-2018)
(A) No solar energy system shall be erected anywhere within the city without first making application for and obtaining a permit and approval by the city. A conditional use permit is required for all solar energy systems as noted in this section.
(1) All applications for a solar energy system shall be accompanied by a detailed site plan drawn to scale and dimensioned, displaying the following information: location and dimension or property lines; setback dimensions from the solar energy system to property lines and all buildings on the property; height, dimensions and location of the system; and proposed screening.
(2) When the Zoning Administrator determines that a site plan drawing is not sufficient, a Certificate of Survey will be required showing the required site plan drawing information.
(3) Applicant shall provide documentation on the specifications of the solar energy system.
(4) The conditional use permit shall be contingent on submission of an interconnection agreement with the local electric utility company or a written explanation outlining why an interconnection agreement is not necessary.
(B) A building permit shall be obtained for any solar energy system prior to installation.
(C) The solar energy system shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and comply with the requirements of the International Building Codes and Minnesota State Building Codes.
(Ord. 457, passed 10-16-2018)
(A) Electrical.
(1) An exterior utility disconnect switch shall be installed at the electric meter serving the property.
(2) Solar energy systems shall be grounded to protect against natural lightning strikes in conformance with the National Electrical Code as adopted by the State of Minnesota.
(3) No solar energy system shall be interconnected with the local electric utility company until the utility company has reviewed and commented upon it. The interconnection of the solar energy system with the utility company shall adhere to the National Electrical Code as adopted by the State of Minnesota.
(B) Color. All roof mounted solar energy systems shall use colors that are the same or similar with the color of the roof material of the building on which the system is mounted.
(C) Location.
(1) Roof mounting.
(a) The solar energy system shall comply with the maximum height requirements of the applicable zoning district.
(b) The solar energy system shall not extend beyond the perimeter of the exterior walls for the building on which it is mounted and must meet the setback requirements for the zoning district.
(c) The solar energy system shall be located as to minimize glare directed toward an adjoining property or street.
(2) Ground mounting.
(a) The solar energy system shall only be located in the rear yard.
(b) The solar energy system shall comply with the maximum height requirements for accessory buildings for the applicable zoning district.
(c) All components of the solar energy system shall be setback from the rear and side property lines in accordance with the applicable zoning district in which they are placed and will be measured from the closest point at minimum design tilt.
(d) The solar energy system shall be located as to minimize glare directed toward an adjoining property or street.
(e) Solar energy systems shall not encroach upon any drainage and utility easements.
(f) When visible from adjacent residential properties and from residential properties across a public street or road, the solar energy system shall be landscaped and/or screened to minimize the visual impact to the greatest extent possible. All landscaping and screening shall be of sufficient width and density to provide year-round screening of the solar energy system.
(Ord. 457, passed 10-16-2018)
Any solar energy system which is inoperable for twelve (12) successive months shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be deemed a public nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system and all associated equipment at their expense after obtaining a demolition permit. Removal must be completed within ninety (90) days following the twelve (12) month period.
(Ord. 457, passed 10-16-2018)
CHICKENS
For the purpose of this Zoning Code and other applicable ordinances certain words and terms are defined as follows:
BROODING. The period of chicken growth when supplemental heat must be provided due to the bird's inability to generate enough body heat.
CHICKEN. A domesticated bird that is kept as a pet or serves as a source of eggs or meat.
COOP. The structure used for the keeping or housing of chickens.
EXERCISE YARD. A larger fenced area that provides space for exercise and foraging for the birds when supervised.
HEN. A female chicken.
OFFICER. Any person designated by the City Council as an enforcement officer.
ROOSTER. A male chicken.
RUN. A fully-enclosed and covered area attached to a coop where the chickens can roam unsupervised.
(Ord. 460, passed 10-15-2019)
The keeping of chickens is allowed in all zoning districts, subject to administrative approval and subject to the following provisions.
(A) No more than three chickens shall be housed or kept on any one property and shall only be allowed on properties with single family dwellings.
(B) Roosters are prohibited and the keeping of any poultry besides chickens is prohibited.
(C) Chickens shall not be housed in a residential dwelling unit or an attached or detached garage, except for brooding purposes.
(D) A coop is required to house the chickens. The coop must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards:
(1) The coop shall be located in the side or rear yard.
(2) The coop shall meet the setback requirements for utility/storage structures for the respective zoning district.
(3) The coop shall provide a minimum of nine (9) square feet of interior floor space.
(4) Construction shall be adequate to protect chickens from extreme temperatures and prevent access by rodents.
(5) The coop must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, devoid of all rodents and vermin and free from objectionable odors. Manure shall not be allowed to accumulate in a way that causes an unsanitary condition or causes odor detectible on another property.
(6) The coop shall be fully-enclosed.
(E) A run or exercise yard is required.
(1) Runs must be constructed and maintained to meet the following minimum standards:
(a) The run shall be located in the side or rear yard and attached to the coop.
(b) The run shall meet the setback requirements for utility/storage structures for the respective zoning district.
(c) The size of the run shall be at least 16 square feet if access to a fenced exercise yard is available. The size of the run shall be at 32 square feet if access to an exercise yard is not available. If the coop is elevated two feet so the birds can access the space beneath, that area may be counted as a portion of the minimum run footprint.
(d) The run shall be fully-enclosed.
(2) Exercise yards must be fully-enclosed by a fence.
(F) Grains and feed must be stored in rodent and raccoon-proof containers inside of a structure.
(G) Leg banding of all chickens is required.
(H) Chicken fighting is prohibited.
(I) Outdoor butchering of chickens is prohibited.
(J) Dead chickens must be disposed of according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health rules which require chicken carcasses to be disposed of as soon as possible after death, usually within 48 hours to 72 hours. Legal forms of chicken carcass disposal include offsite burial, offsite incineration or rendering, or offsite composting.
(K) The city's officer may inspect the premises to ensure compliance with city ordinances.
(L) Any person no longer keeping chickens must notify the city and remove the coop and run within 30 days of the chickens being removed from the property.
(Ord. 460, passed 10-15-2019)
No person shall own, keep, or have custody of live chickens without first obtaining approval from the city.
(A) Application shall be made to the city along with a fee for Site Plan Review according to the adopted fee schedule.
(B) A site plan shall be submitted with the application. The site plan shall identify the location of all structures on the property, including the coop, run, and exercise yard, and provide accurate property dimensions and setbacks.
(C) Letters of support from all adjacent property owners are required and shall be submitted with the application. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the letters.
(D) Upon receipt of a complete application, the Community Development Director shall be responsible for conducting an administrative Site Plan Review and, if approved, issuing a permit and leg bands.
(E) An application submitted by a renter requires written consent from the property owner in order to be considered a complete application.
(F) If at any time the Community Development Director determines violations of this subchapter to exist, the permit is subject to revocation.
(Ord. 460, passed 10-15-2019)
Loading...