Blue Mound City Zoning Code
§ 22C
SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS.
A.
LOCATION OF SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS.
(1)
Solar panel systems and wind energy systems shall be allowed in all zoning districts for individual use except Planned Development Districts.
(2)
Solar and wind energy systems in the Planned Development District, or District “PD” shall submit an application to the planning and zoning commission. An application for solar or wind energy systems shall be made to the Planning and Zoning Commission in the same manner that an application for zone change is made. Application for approval of a solar or wind energy system shall be processed according to the procedure specified herein with a plan and related data submitted for approval in accordance with the requirements set out as stated in Section 16, Planned Development District, Subsection D.
B.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN SECTION.
(1)
Solar Energy System
means a combination of equipment and/or controls, accessories, interconnecting means, and terminal elements for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy. Solar Energy Systems do not include individually powered outdoor solar lights, such as garden lights, accent lights, security lights, or flood lights.
(2)
Wind Energy System
means a combination of equipment that converts and then stores or transfers energy from the wind into usable forms of energy and includes any base, blade, foundation, generator, nacelle, rotor, tower, transformer, turbine, vane, wire, or other component used in the system.
C.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
(1)
Solar Energy Systems shall meet all applicable codes and ordinances and shall be installed only after the issuance of a building and electrical permit.
(2)
Roof-mounted Solar Energy Systems shall comply with the following:
(a)
The top edge of a roof-mounted system must be parallel to the roof ridge and conform to the slope of the roof.
(b)
Roof-mounted systems may be located on any roof slope of an accessory building or structure, such as a patio cover or detached garage, subject to the regulations in this Subsection b [C.], Paragraphs 1 and 4.
(c)
Roof-mounted systems located on flat roofs shall not exceed the maximum height permitted within the zoning district and shall be as close as possible to the flat roof.
(d)
No portion of the roof-mounted system shall extend above or beyond the edge of any ridge, hip, valley, or eave.
(3)
Ground-mounted Solar Energy Systems shall comply with the following:
(a)
A ground-mounted system is not permitted as the primary use of a property.
(b)
In residential districts, ground-mounted systems shall comply with the maximum square footage and minimum setback requirements for residential accessory buildings and structures and shall not be constructed in any required yards. On nonresidential property, ground-mounted systems shall comply with the minimum setback requirements for non-residential buildings and structures and shall not be located within any required buffer yard or parking space.
(c)
Ground-mounted solar panel systems on residential property shall be screened from view of the street or adjacent properties by an opaque screening fence. Except in the H Zoning District, ground-mounted systems on non-residential property shall be screened from view of the street and adjacent properties by a screening wall constructed of materials that match the predominant material used on the building.
(d)
The maximum height of ground-mounted systems shall not exceed the height of the required opaque fence and in no case shall exceed eight (8) feet.
(e)
Long lengths of conduit and wiring associated with the system’s connection to the primary electrical panel shall be placed underground.
(4)
Supporting equipment for Solar Energy Systems, including power conditioning equipment such as batteries for electricity storage and stand-by gasoline electric generators, shall be located behind the building and shall be screened by an opaque screening device, except that wall-mounted inverters may be located next to the electric meter.
(5)
Solar Energy Systems shall be installed in conformance with all applicable City codes and ordinances, including the most currently adopted International Fire Code and future amendments thereof.
(6)
Solar Energy Systems incorporated into building materials such as roof shingles or tiles, windows, siding, or other architectural features integral to a building’s design and are reasonably indistinguishable from traditional building materials may be installed on any roof or facade of the building. The eligibility of a solar panel system under this paragraph shall be subject to the determination of the Building Official or his designee.
D.
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS SHALL CONFORM TO THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(1)
Wind Energy Systems shall meet all applicable codes and ordinances and shall be installed only after the issuance of a building and electrical permit.
(2)
Roof-mounted Wind Energy Systems shall comply with the following:
(4)
Supporting equipment for Wind Energy Systems, including power conditioning equipment such as batteries for electricity storage and stand-by gasoline electric generators, shall be located behind the building and shall be screened by an opaque screening device, except that wall-mounted inverters may be located next to the electric meter.
(5)
Wind Energy Systems shall be installed in conformance with all applicable City codes and ordinances, including the most currently adopted International Fire Code and future amendments thereof.
(6)
The City Council may approve an alternate location than specified in this Section for a roof-mounted or ground-mounted wind energy systems after holding a public hearing. Written notice of the hearing shall be sent to owners of real property, as they appear on the last approved tax roll, situated within two hundred (200) feet of the exterior boundary of the property on which the solar panel system is requested at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing. Notice of the hearing shall also be published in the official newspaper of the City of Blue Mound at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing.
(Ordinance 556 adopted 7/21/20)