Sec. 26-73. - Solar energy systems.

(a)

The purpose of this section is to allow for timely and cost-effective installations of solar energy systems that shall:

(1)

Provide for the installation of small to medium solar energy systems to enable the generation of electricity from the sun, for on- and off-site uses.

(2)

To minimize potential adverse impacts associated with solar energy systems.

(b)

Development standards.

(1)

Ground-mounted solar energy collectors. Ground-mounted solar energy collectors shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

a.

Location. Ground-mounted solar energy collectors are permitted in all zoning districts. In residential zoning districts, solar energy collectors and their mounting framework shall not be located within the front setback and shall not be visible from the public right-of-way adjacent to the front, or side property line. In nonresidential zoning districts, solar energy collectors may be visible from the public right-of-way with approval of an administrative permit.

b.

Height. In residential zoning districts, the height of a ground-mounted solar energy collector system shall not exceed twelve (12) feet. The maximum height shall be twenty-five (25) feet when located on a nonresidential property not abutting a residential zone. The maximum height of a ground-mounted solar energy collector system shall be fifteen (15) feet when located on a non-residential property abutting a residential zone.

c.

Setbacks. Installations of less than six (6) feet in height may project up to two (2) feet into a required setback. Installations of six (6) feet or more in height shall comply with building setback requirements for

patio covers.

(2)

Roof-mounted solar energy collectors.

a.

Location. It is preferred that photovoltaic solar energy systems in the single-family residential zone on roofs are designed in a way that is flush-mounted and/or are not installed on the portion of the roof that faces the street, and/or are screened from the public right-of-way. If the photovoltaic solar energy systems on roofs are not flush-mounted and/or installed on the portion of the roof that faces the street, and/or is visible from the street, applicant submittal of additional documentation to the planning division is required prior to the first building division inspection to receive inspector sign-off. The required documentation shall be a written analysis prepared by a licensed engineer indicating that all options to redesign the photovoltaic system with a flush-mounted design and/or without utilizing the street facing roof will:

1.

Increase the installation cost by more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); and

2.

Will cause a drop in energy production by more than ten (10) percent.

b.

Height. Photovoltaic solar energy systems on the roof may extend up to five (5) feet above the height limit in the district in which it is located or the roof surface on which they are installed, provided that the height extension is necessary to be within the installation cost and/or energy production thresholds mandated by state law.

c.

Solar water or swimming pool heating systems may extend up to seven (7) feet above the height limit in the district in which it is located or the roof surface on which they are installed.

(3)

Solar energy collector on carports.

a.

Photovoltaic equipment, as defined by section 26-36, "solar energy systems," may be installed on the roof of carports for the purpose of collecting, storing, or transferring solar energy as part of a larger solar energy system installed in structure(s) on the same building site without additional discretionary permit.

b.

The maximum height of solar energy collector equipment on carport roofs shall not exceed the maximum height of the underlying district.

(c)

Reflection angles and glare. Reflection angles for solar collectors shall be oriented such that they do not project glare onto adjacent properties. Solar collectors shall be designed such that concentrated solar glare does not project onto nearby structures, roadways, or the public right-of-way. Installation of anti-glare panels and/or anti-glare film is preferred. The property owner shall be responsible for mitigating any glare issues discovered after installation.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24; Ord. No. 2525, § 21, 3-18-25)

DIVISION 3. - FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES