[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of West Hampton Dunes 11-18-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 220.
Zoning — See Ch. 560.
This chapter shall be entitled "Local Law No. 1 of 2011 of the Incorporated Village of West Hampton Dunes, a Local Law Adopting Regulations Regarding the Installation and Construction of Solar Energy Systems in the Village of West Hampton Dunes."
Pursuant to § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law and the Village Law of the State of New York, the Incorporated Village of West Hampton Dunes, County of Suffolk, and State of New York, hereby enacts by this chapter a local law of the Village of West Hampton Dunes.
The Village of West Hampton Dunes understands the importance of maintaining and enhancing the character of the Village. With the current push to reduce the consumption of energy through the use of alternative renewable energy technologies and a federal and state tax credit that reduced the cost of installation of alternative energy systems, the demand for the installation of such systems has increase significantly. As a result of these sometimes competing interests, it is important to consider regulations that involve balancing the need for protecting the existing character of the Village with the goal of encouraging the use of renewable energy sources which is one of the stated purposes of zoning as outlined in § 7-704 of New York State Village Law. The Board of Trustees of the Village of West Hampton Dunes therefore determines and finds that it is in the best interests of the Village, its residents and property owners to enact this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
A solar energy system that transforms solar energy into another form of energy or transfers heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means. Structures or devices which provide power to any other dwelling or structure located on a separate property are not considered part of this definition.
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SOLAR SYSTEMS
An active solar system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building. Building-integrated systems include but are not limited to photovoltaic or hot water solar systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights and awnings.
A. 
Legislative intent. In order to accommodate alternative and renewable forms of energy production across the Village, while regulating the visual impacts of any such form, accessory solar energy systems, as defined in this chapter, may be allowed as specified herein.
B. 
Solar energy systems are permitted as an accessory use in all residential zoning districts in the Village, subject to certain requirements as set forth herein.
C. 
Height. Solar energy systems must meet the following height requirements:
(1) 
Building- or roof- mounted solar systems may exceed the maximum allowed height in any zoning district by one foot, any building which is preexisting nonconforming in terms height requirements may be increased by one foot, provided that any such system shall comply with the other provisions of Chapter 560, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of West Hampton Dunes.
(2) 
For purposes of height measurement, solar systems other than building-integrated systems shall be considered to be mechanical devices and are restricted consistent with other building-mounted mechanical devices.
D. 
Setback/location.
(1) 
Solar energy systems must meet the accessory structure setback and location requirements set forth in Chapter 560, Zoning.
(2) 
Roof-mounted solar systems. In addition to the building setback, the collector surface and mounting devices for roof-mounted solar systems shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side or rear yard exposure.
E. 
Visibility. The design of the solar energy system shall make best efforts to blend into the architecture of the building or be screened from routine view from public rights-of-way. The color of the solar collector shall be, to the extent possible, consistent with the roofing materials on which it is mounted.
(1) 
Building-integrated photovoltaic systems. Building-integrated photovoltaic solar systems shall be allowed regardless of visibility, provided the building component in which the system is integrated meets all required setbacks and regulations for the district in which the building is located.
(2) 
Solar systems with mounting devices. Any solar system that meets one of the following standards will be deemed to meet the visibility requirements of this section:
(a) 
Meets the standards for use of the solar energy system fast track permit application; or
(b) 
Is not visible from the closest edge of any public right-of-way other than an alley; or
(c) 
Is a roof-mount system that is visible from the nearest edge of the street frontage right-of-way but does not have a highest finished pitch more than 5% steeper than the roof pitch on which the system is mounted, and is no higher than 10 inches above the roof.
(3) 
Coverage. Roof- or building-mounted solar systems, excluding building-integrated systems, and shall be set back from the roof edge or ridge with a clear path of a minimum of 18 inches each.
F. 
Approved solar components. Electric solar system components must be certified as meeting the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Standard 1703, and the inverter conforms to UL Standard 1741. Solar hot water systems must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation. The solar system must be certified by a licensed professional that said system is anchored in such a manner consistent with NYS Building Code, including but not limited to wind load requirements, and for roof-mounted solar systems, have a roof load not exceeding six pounds per square foot.
G. 
All solar collector installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer, and prior to operation the electrical connections must be inspected by an appropriate electrical inspection agency as determined by the Building Department. In addition, any connection to the public utility grid must be inspected by the appropriate public utility.
H. 
When solar storage batteries are included as part of the solar collector system, they must be placed in a secure container or enclosure meeting the requirements of the New York State Building Code when in use, and when no longer used shall be disposed of in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
I. 
Electric solar system. A sign shall be installed on the utility meter and at any alternating current (AC) disconnect switch indicating that there is an operating solar electric cogenerating system on site.
J. 
Decommissioning. The facility owner and operator shall, at its expense, complete decommissioning of the accessory solar energy system within 12 months after the end of the useful life of said system. The accessory solar energy system will be presumed to be at the end of its useful life if no electricity is generated for a continuous period of 12 months. Decommissioning shall include removal of the collectors, mount and any other associated equipment and facilities by no later than 90 days after the end of the twelve-month period.
K. 
Administration.
(1) 
The Chief Building Inspector shall promulgate such rules, procedures, application forms, and certificates as may be required to effectively implement the solar energy system fast track permit application.
(2) 
The filing fee for an accessory solar energy system permit shall be $50.
(3) 
The permit shall be issued within 14 days of the submittal of a complete application.
(4) 
Solar energy systems meeting the standards contained herein shall not require Architectural Review Board review.
(5) 
The Building Department shall maintain a list by address of all solar installations which shall be made available to all relevant first responder organizations.