Contra Costa County Municipal Code Art. 88-30.6 Standards

A commercial solar energy facility may be established on any lot in a general commercial (C), light industrial (L-I), or heavy industrial (H-I) district, or in a planned unit (P-1) district with an underlying general plan land use designation of commercial or industrial, or in a solar energy generation (-SG) combining district. ;hn0; (Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

The front yard, side yard, and rear yard setback requirements for a commercial solar energy facility are those applicable in the underlying zoning district.

(Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

(a) A ground-mounted commercial solar energy facility may not exceed twenty-five feet in height. For a ground-mounted facility, height is measured as the vertical distance from the natural or finished grade, whichever is lower, to the top of the structure.

(b) A roof-mounted commercial solar energy facility may not exceed four feet above the roof surface.

(Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

A commercial solar energy facility that is visible from any public right-of-way or other public space must be designed and installed to minimize visual and aesthetic impacts to the greatest extent feasible.

(Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

A commercial solar energy facility may not include any type of lighted signal, lights, or other illumination, except as necessary for the operation of the facility. ;hn0; (Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

A commercial solar energy facility may not be located above a septic system or leach field unless approved by the Environmental Health Division of the County Department of Health Services.

(Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

A commercial solar energy facility may not be located within seventy-five feet of any creek or within fifty feet of any other aquatic habitat unless a land use permit is issued and the zoning administrator determines: that there will be no impact to the aquatic habitat; or that mitigation measures are available to minimize or offset any impacts to the aquatic habitat and the zoning administrator requires the mitigation measures as a condition of permit approval.

(Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)

If a commercial solar energy facility is located in an -SG combining district, the following site restoration requirements apply.

(a) A site restoration plan must be approved by the zoning administrator before a land use permit is issued. The restoration plan must do all of the following:

(1) Identify the specific properties to which the plan applies.

(2) Indicate that all commercial solar energy facilities, buildings, structures, and foundation will be removed to three feet below finished grade.

(3) Detail all regrading and revegetation necessary to return the subject property to the condition existing before the commercial solar energy facility was established or expanded. The plan must accurately show all topography, vegetation, drainage, and unique environmental features of the site.

(4) Provide an estimate of total restoration costs, including materials and labor.

(5) Include a statement that the operator, applicant, and permittee guarantee and accept responsibility for all restoration work for a period of two years after completion of restoration.

(b) A cash deposit or surety bond must be deposited with the department to ensure the completion of the restoration work described in an approved plan. The zoning administrator will determine the amount of security before a land use permit is issued. The amount of security will include all material and labor costs, adjusted for inflation to reflect anticipated total costs at the time of restoration.

(Ord. No. 2020-07 § II, 2-25-20)