San Diego County Municipal Code § 1205.5 Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays

Ground-mounted photovoltaic array installations shall meet the requirements of sections 1205.5.1 through 1205.5.4.

Fire apparatus access roads to ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays, associated equipment structures and operations/maintenance buildings shall comply with section 503.

Exception: Private residential and agricultural where the energy generated is primarily for on-site use are exempt from this requirement subject to the approval of the fire code official.

Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays 10 acres or larger in size shall provide a fire apparatus access roadway around the perimeter of the project. The perimeter fire apparatus access roadway shall comply with section 503.

Combustible vegetation within the array and to a distance of 30 feet from the array and associated equipment shall be reduced to a height of no more than 6 inches. The fuel modification zone may be increased when required by the fire code official.

Exception: For private residential and agricultural where the energy generated is used primarily on-site, the required fuel modification zone may be reduced to 10 feet from the array and associated equipment.

Operation/maintenance buildings shall be provided with fuel modification zones that comply with Section 6 in Part 7 California Wildland Urban Interface Code.

Water supply for fire protection and suppression shall be provided for equipment structures and operations/maintenance buildings as required by section 507.