Eldridge City Zoning Code
§ 44.03
PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE.
Solar energy systems shall be allowed as an accessory use in all zoning districts where structures of any sort are allowed, subject to certain requirements as set forth below.
(A) Height. Solar energy systems must meet the following height requirements for accessory use:
(1) Building or roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum allowed height of a structure in any zoning district.
(2) Ground or pole-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 12 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt.
(B) Set-back. Solar energy systems must meet the accessory structure setback requirements for the zoning district and primary land use associated with the lot on which the system is located and shall only be in rear yards.
(1) Roof or building-mount solar energy systems. In addition to the building setback, the collector surface and mounting devices for roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built, unless the collector and mounting system has been explicitly engineered to safely extend beyond the edge, and setback standards are not violated. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a back yard exposure. Solar collectors mounted on the sides of buildings and serving as awnings are considered to be building-integrated systems and are regulated as awnings.
(2) Ground-mount solar energy systems. Ground-mounted solar energy systems may not extend into the side yard or rear setback when oriented at minimum design tilt.
(C) Location and visibility.
(1) Building-integrated and wall-mount solar energy systems. Building-integrated and wall-mount solar energy systems shall be allowed regardless of whether the system is visible from the public right-of-way, provided the building component in which the system is integrated or mounted meets all required setback, land use, and performance standards for the district in which the building is located. The color of the solar collectors is not required to be consistent with other building materials.
(2) Roof-mount solar energy systems. Roof-mount solar energy systems shall not be restricted for aesthetic reasons if the system is not visible from the closest edge of any public right-of-way other than an alley. Roof-mounted systems that are visible from the nearest edge of the street frontage right-of-way shall not have the highest finished pitch steeper than the roof pitch on which the system is mounted and shall be no higher than 12 inches above the roof. The color of the solar collectors is not required to be consistent with other roofing materials.
(3) Ground-mount solar energy systems. Except as indicated in other parts of this chapter, ground-mount solar energy systems shall be treated as an accessory structure and shall be subject to the requirements of an accessory structure. A ground-mount solar energy system shall not be located in the front yard or side yard of a lot. The city may require screening where it determines there is a clear community interest in maintaining a viewshed.
(4) Reflectors. No solar energy system using an external reflector to enhance solar production shall be installed within the city limits.
(5) Solar energy systems shall have non-reflective and neutral color with no advertising or logos on system panels or supporting structure other than a small identification of the manufacturer.
(D) Coverage. Roof or building-mount solar energy systems shall provide roof access paths shall be provided as required in the International Fire Code or the International Residential Code as they apply to the structure. Ground-mount systems shall be exempt from impervious surface calculations if the soil under the collector is maintained in vegetation and is not compacted. Foundations, gravel, and compacted soils are considered impervious.
(E) Historic buildings. Solar energy systems on historically designated buildings shall be installed only as allowed by the U.S. Department of Interior.
(F) Site plan approvals and permits.
(1) Building permit and plan approval required. All solar energy systems require a building permit from the city and shall provide a site plan for review.
(2) Site plans shall be accompanied by a scale horizontal and vertical (elevation) drawing. The drawings must show the location of the system on the building or on the property for a ground-mounted system, including property lines, and the property setbacks. In addition, they shall indicate the height of the installation at maximum tilt and the ground footprint at minimum tilt, along with a description of the ground cover to be used under the system.
(3) Site plans that meet the design requirements of this chapter shall be granted administrative approval by the Zoning Officer and shall not require Planning and Zoning Commission review. Administrative approval does not indicate compliance with the Building Code or Electric Code.
(G) Approved solar components. Electric solar energy system components must have a UL or equivalent listing and solar hot water systems must have an SRCC rating.
(H) Compliance with Building Code. All solar energy systems shall be consistent with the State Building Code, and solar thermal systems shall comply with HVAC-related requirements of the Energy Code.
(I) Compliance with State Electric Code. All photovoltaic systems shall comply with the State Electric Code.
(J) Compliance with State Plumbing Code. Solar hot water systems shall comply with applicable State Plumbing Code requirements.
(K) Utility notification. All solar energy systems that connect with an electric circuit serviced by the local electric utility (grid-tied systems) shall comply with the interconnection requirements of the electric utility. Systems not so connected (off-grid systems) are exempt from this requirement.
(Ord. 2025-04, passed 2-3-2025)