Aurora City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1179

Energy Generating Devices

1179.01 DEFINITIONS.

"Solar energy system" include solar panels and/or generators and all associated equipment, including any lines, pumps, mounting brackets, framing, base, foundation, structural support, wire(s), batteries or other components necessary to fully utilize the collection of solar energy.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.02 PURPOSE.

The purpose of this chapter is to preserve and protect the public health and safety and to promote the orderly land use and development of the City. Specifically it is the intent of this chapter to do the following:

(a) Regulate the placement and construction of solar energy systems, as defined, throughout the city to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the city's residents and to protect property values.

(b) Minimize the visual impacts of solar energy systems through careful design, placement and screening.

(c) Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from the failure of solar energy systems through proper engineering and the proper installation of these systems including the prudent locating of solar panels on a property or structure.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.03 GENERAL STANDARDS.

(a) Energy generating devices including solar energy systems may be allowed as a conditionally approved accessory use subject to the conditions within this chapter.

(b) No person shall cause, allow or maintain the use of a solar energy system without first having obtained a permit from the Planning, Zoning and Building Division.

(c) A permit may be issued only upon review and approval when the Architectural Board of Review has determined that a proposal is in compliance with the standards and conditions of this section.

(d) No permit will be reviewed or issued until Homeowners Association approval has been obtained by the applicant, when applicable.

(e) Permit fee for solar energy systems is one hundred dollars ($100.00).

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.04 LOCATION AND USES.

(a) Solar Energy Systems. Solar energy systems located in the City of Aurora Historic Districts, any landmarked structures, or on any structure designated on the National Registry of Historical Places shall require a certificate of appropriateness from the City of Aurora Landmark Commission.

(1) Solar energy panels located in commercial zoning districts shall be allowed as a rooftop installation or a ground installation. Rooftop installations shall not be visible from the right-of-way. Ground installations shall only be located in a side or rear yard and conform to all building setbacks requirements.

(2) Solar energy panels located in industrial zoned districts shall be allowed as a rooftop installation or a ground installation. Rooftop installations shall not be visible from the right-of-way. Ground installations shall only be located in a side or rear yard and conform to all building setbacks requirements.

(3) Solar energy systems located in a residential district shall not be located on any roof slope that is visible from a right-of-way. Ground installations in a residential district shall conform to all accessory structure setback requirements.

(4) Solar energy panels attached to an accessory structure shall be placed only in a rear yard.

(5) Roof top mounted solar energy equipment must be installed within the actual boundaries or edges of the roof area and cannot overhang any portion of the edge of the roof. Panels shall not extend above a ridgeline.

(6) Rooftop installations must not interfere with any roof penetrations (e.g., plumbing, vents, chimneys) or operation of plumbing fixtures protruding from the rooftop level as required by the applicable building codes.

(7) All electrical interconnection or distribution lines shall be underground and comply with all applicable building codes and public utility requirements.

(8) All required conduit and wiring shall not be visible from any public right-of-way.

(9) Solar panels must be placed in square patterns only.

(10) All racking should be dark gray or black in color as to blend into the solar array and shall not protrude outside of the array.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.99 PENALTIES.

(a) Any person found to have violated any provision of this chapter without regard to intent or knowledge, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree for each subsequent offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day such violation continues beyond the period stipulated in the notice.

(b) A fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) shall also be imposed on the property owner. Each day of such violations shall be a new and separate violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

Aurora City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1179

Energy Generating Devices

1179.01 DEFINITIONS.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.02 PURPOSE.

(b) Minimize the visual impacts of solar energy systems through careful design, placement and screening.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.03 GENERAL STANDARDS.

(a) Energy generating devices including solar energy systems may be allowed as a conditionally approved accessory use subject to the conditions within this chapter.

(b) No person shall cause, allow or maintain the use of a solar energy system without first having obtained a permit from the Planning, Zoning and Building Division.

(c) A permit may be issued only upon review and approval when the Architectural Board of Review has determined that a proposal is in compliance with the standards and conditions of this section.

(d) No permit will be reviewed or issued until Homeowners Association approval has been obtained by the applicant, when applicable.

(e) Permit fee for solar energy systems is one hundred dollars ($100.00).

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.04 LOCATION AND USES.

(4) Solar energy panels attached to an accessory structure shall be placed only in a rear yard.

(7) All electrical interconnection or distribution lines shall be underground and comply with all applicable building codes and public utility requirements.

(8) All required conduit and wiring shall not be visible from any public right-of-way.

(9) Solar panels must be placed in square patterns only.

(10) All racking should be dark gray or black in color as to blend into the solar array and shall not protrude outside of the array.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.99 PENALTIES.

(b) A fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) shall also be imposed on the property owner. Each day of such violations shall be a new and separate violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

Aurora City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1179

Energy Generating Devices

1179.01 DEFINITIONS.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.02 PURPOSE.

(b) Minimize the visual impacts of solar energy systems through careful design, placement and screening.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.03 GENERAL STANDARDS.

(a) Energy generating devices including solar energy systems may be allowed as a conditionally approved accessory use subject to the conditions within this chapter.

(b) No person shall cause, allow or maintain the use of a solar energy system without first having obtained a permit from the Planning, Zoning and Building Division.

(c) A permit may be issued only upon review and approval when the Architectural Board of Review has determined that a proposal is in compliance with the standards and conditions of this section.

(d) No permit will be reviewed or issued until Homeowners Association approval has been obtained by the applicant, when applicable.

(e) Permit fee for solar energy systems is one hundred dollars ($100.00).

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.04 LOCATION AND USES.

(4) Solar energy panels attached to an accessory structure shall be placed only in a rear yard.

(7) All electrical interconnection or distribution lines shall be underground and comply with all applicable building codes and public utility requirements.

(8) All required conduit and wiring shall not be visible from any public right-of-way.

(9) Solar panels must be placed in square patterns only.

(10) All racking should be dark gray or black in color as to blend into the solar array and shall not protrude outside of the array.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)

1179.99 PENALTIES.

(b) A fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) shall also be imposed on the property owner. Each day of such violations shall be a new and separate violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 2020-119. Passed 10-26-20.)