(A) Coverage. Roof or building mounted solar energy systems, excluding building integrated systems, shall allow for adequate roof access for fire-fighting purposes to the south-facing or flat roof upon which the panels are mounted. Ground-mount private solar energy systems shall be exempt from impervious surface calculations if the soil under the collector is not compacted and maintained in vegetation. Foundations, gravel, or compacted soils are considered impervious.
(B) Plan approval required. All solar energy systems shall require administrative plan approval by the City of Villa Grove Building Inspector via the review of the application for a building permit.
(1) Plan applications. Plan applications for solar energy systems shall be accompanied by horizontal and vertical (elevation) drawings. The drawings must show the location of the system on the building or on the property for a ground-mount system, including the property lines.
(a) Pitched roof-mounted solar energy systems. For all roof-mounted systems other than a flat roof the elevation must show the highest finished slope of the solar collector and the slope of the finished roof surface on which it is mounted.
(b) Flat roof mounted solar energy systems. For flat roof applications a drawing shall be submitted showing the distance to the roof edge and any parapets on the building and shall identify the height of the building on the street frontage side, the shortest distance of the system from the street frontage edge of the building, and the highest finished height of the solar collector above the finished surface of the roof.
(2) Plan approvals. Applications that meet the design requirements of this subchapter, and do not require an administrative variance, shall be granted administrative approval by agreement of the City Administrator and the Building Inspector and shall not require Planning and Zoning Committee review. Plan approval does not indicate compliance with Building Code or Electric Code.
(Ord. 2021-MC12, passed 12-13-2021)