Flower Hill City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Solar Energy Collection Systems
§ 240-38 Intent.
The intent of this statute is to accommodate alternative and renewable forms of energy production within the Village, while regulating the visual impacts of any such form. Accessory solar energy collection systems may be allowed as specified herein.
§ 240-39 Applicability.
This article applies to all accessory solar energy collection systems proposed to be constructed after the effective date of this section.
§ 240-40 Fees.
§ 240-41 Design and building code compliance; permit required.
No solar energy system shall be erected or installed unless the system is designed to be appropriate for the intended location and meets all standards of Village and New York State Building Codes. The applicant shall appear before the Board of Trustees for a special exception permit, which shall then go before the Building Permit Review Committee, before a permit shall be issued by the Building Inspector.
§ 240-42 Installation.
A.
Residential districts.
(1)
Placement shall be flush or flat mounted as close as practicable, and not to exceed six inches, on a gabled, hipped or mansard roof, with no extension above the roof.
(2)
No solar collection panel on a flat roof shall be visible from street level or from an adjoining property.
(3)
Heat-storing masses and ground-mounted solar collector systems shall be allowed only in a rear yard, and placement shall comply with accessory structure regulations.
(4)
As much as possible, all panels, tiles or slates are to appear like and are to match the color of the roof or wall to which they are attached.
B.
Other districts. Installation shall be permitted atop commercial buildings. It shall not interfere with the architectural or other aesthetic features of the building, neighborhood or area. Appropriate and adequate screening and shielding measures shall be required.
C.
General.
(1)
Any equipment proposed as part of a new building or alteration to a building shall be installed as integrated equipment.
(2)
On existing buildings with flat roofs where tilted frames are necessary to install primary equipment, such equipment shall not be visible from an abutting street or property. If necessary, the equipment shall be screened with appropriate material as recommended by the Building Permit Review Committee.
(3)
Primary equipment mounted to an approved accessory structure shall be considered part of that structure and is subject to the requirements for accessory structures as well as approval by the Board of Trustees and by the Building Permit Review Committee.
(4)
All secondary equipment associated with any solar energy system installation shall not be exposed on the outside of any structure unless required by applicable codes and standards.
(5)
Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not be permitted except in an R-1, C or H Zone and then only with adequate screening and by special exception permit. No ground-mounted units shall be permitted on a corner lot.
(6)
No trees shall be removed to accommodate installation of any solar collection equipment.
§ 240-43 Application submission requirements.
A.
Prior to the installation of any solar energy equipment on a property, building or structure, the applicant shall submit a site plan and a building permit application accompanied by four sets of sealed plans which shall include but are not limited to location, layout plans, elevations, sections, details, manufacturer's specifications, material types, colors, finishes, arrangement, size, design, general site compatibility, structural support methods and zoning information. The applicant shall submit actual material samples.
B.
Applications shall be accompanied by a signed, sealed certification from a New York State licensed professional engineer or licensed architect stating that the roof structure is strong enough to support the additional weight of the solar units, the mounting brackets and hardware meet or exceed New York State code requirements and the actual in-field attachment to the roof meets or exceeds New York State Residential Code requirements.
C.
The applicant shall provide adequate notice of the application to all surrounding property owners in the same manner as provided for under the Building Permit Review Committee rules.
§ 240-43.1 Installation by qualified installer; electrical inspection and certificate.
A.
All solar collector installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer.
B.
Prior to operation, the electrical connections must be inspected by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters or other appropriate electrical inspection agency, as determined by the Village. Any connection to the public utility grid must be inspected by the appropriate public utility.
C.
An electrical certificate shall be provided to the Village prior to issuance of a certificate of completion.