Lattingtown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVII
Solar Energy Systems
§ 315-111 Intent.
The intent of this article is to accommodate alternative and renewable forms of energy production within the Village, while regulating the impacts of any such form. Accessory solar energy collection systems may be allowed as specified herein.
§ 315-112 Applicability.
This article applies to all solar energy collection systems proposed to be constructed after the effective date of this article.
§ 315-113 Fees.
The fee for any accessory solar energy collection system application shall be set by the Board of Trustees acting by resolution.
§ 315-114 Design and building code compliance; permit required.
No solar energy conversion 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. All electricity generated from solar energy systems must be for on-site consumption only, except for instances when the system generates more electric energy than is needed for on-site consumption and the excess electricity is returned to the public utility's system. The applicant shall file an application for a solar energy conversation system with the Building Inspector.
§ 315-115 Installation.
A.
Solar energy collection systems.
(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)
Solar collection panels on flat roofs may be angled or titled so long as they are not movable or visible from street level or from an adjoining property.
(3)
All panels shall be set back a minimum of three feet from the eave and 18 inches from the ridge or as otherwise approved by the Building Inspector.
(4)
All panels shall be harmoniously configured along the roof so to ensure conformity with the roof structure and surface.
(5)
All panels, tiles or slates are to appear like and are to match as close as possible the color of the roof or wall to which they are attached.
(6)
Freestanding and ground-mounted solar collectors are prohibited.
(7)
Primary equipment mounted to an approved accessory structure shall be considered part of that structure and is subject to the requirements for accessory structures.
(8)
All accessory equipment associated with any solar energy collection system installation shall not be exposed on the outside of any structure unless required by applicable codes and standards.
(9)
No trees shall be removed to accommodate installation of any solar collection equipment unless approved by the Planning Board.
§ 315-116 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, 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, photographs of all sides of the existing building or structure, structural support methods and zoning information. The applicant shall submit actual material samples.
B.
Applications for solar energy collection systems 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 and American Society of Civil Engineers' Standard 7-05.
§ 315-117 Installation by qualified installer; electrical inspection and certificate.
A.
All solar energy collection system installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer, with such determination to be made by the Building Inspector.
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.
§ 315-118 Discontinued use.
If a solar energy collection system ceases to perform its originally intended function for more than six consecutive months, the property owner shall remove the solar system, all primary and secondary equipment and facilities by not later than 90 days after the end of the six-month period.
§ 315-119 Variances.
The Board of Zoning Appeals, after a public hearing, may grant variances from the requirements of this article.