[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Bellefonte 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 110617-01. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 575.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Identical to the definition of an accessory building contained
in the Bellefonte Borough Zoning Ordinance.[1]
An area of land or other area used for a solar collection
system used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical energy
or thermal power and supply electrical or thermal power primarily
for on-site use. An accessory solar energy system consists of one
or more freestanding ground or roof-mounted solar arrays or solar-related
equipment and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption
of utility power or fuels.
Structures, equipment, devices or construction techniques
used for the production of heat, light, cooling, electricity or other
forms of energy on site and may be attached to or separate from the
principal structure.
A solar energy system that is directly installed in the ground
and is not attached or affixed to an existing structure.
For the purpose of this chapter, a property is considered
historic if it:
Is a contributing property located within one or both of Bellefonte
Borough's locally reviewed or nationally designated historic
districts; or
Is individually listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission;
Is protected by a historic preservation easement.
That part(s) of the building which fronts (directly or at
an angle) the main roadway(s) serving the building. It will usually
contain the main architectural features of the building.
A solar power system in which solar panels are mounted on
top of the structure of a roof either as a flush-mounted system or
as modules fixed to frames which can be tilted toward the south at
an optimal angle.
Space open to the sun and clear of overhangs or shade, including
the orientation of streets and lots to the sun, so as to permit the
use of active and/or passive solar energy systems on individual properties.
A solar photovoltaic cell, panel, or array, or solar hot
air or water collector device, which relies upon solar radiation as
an energy source for the generation of electricity or transfer of
stored heat.
Items including a solar photovoltaic cell, module, panel,
solar shingle, or array, or solar hot air or water collector device
modules, lines, pumps, batteries, mounting brackets, framing and possibly
foundations or other structures used for or intended to be used for
collection of solar energy to convert solar energy for use in space
heating or cooling, water heating, or generating electricity.
SOLAR ARRAYA grouping of multiple solar modules with the purpose of harvesting solar energy.
SOLAR CELLThe smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity when exposed to light.
SOLAR MODULEA grouping of solar cells with the purpose of harvesting solar energy.
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A.
Regulations applicable to all accessory solar energy systems.
(1)
ASES shall be permitted as a use by right in all zoning districts
and shall comply with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission Interconnection
Guidelines.
(2)
Exemptions.
(a)
Systems generating less than 50 V and that are not tied into
either the building wiring or the electrical utility grid are exempt
from this chapter.
(b)
ASES constructed prior to the effective date of this chapter
shall not be required to meet the terms and conditions of this chapter.
Any physical modification altering the footprint or placement of an
existing ASES, whether or not existing prior to the effective date
of this chapter, requires the issuance of a zoning permit. Routine
maintenance or like-kind and size replacements do not require a permit.
(3)
ASES installers must certify, upon request by the zoning officer,
that they are listed as a certified home improvement contractor with
the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and have successfully
installed a minimum of three ASES systems.
(4)
All on-site utility, transmission lines, and plumbing shall be placed
underground to the extent feasible.
(5)
The display of advertising is prohibited except for the reasonable
identification of the ASES system, such as a nameplate of the manufacturer.
(6)
With the installation of an ASES, applicants acknowledge that the
issuing of said permit for a solar energy system shall not and does
not create in the property owner, its, his, her or their successors
and assigns in title or create in the property itself:
(7)
Decommissioning.
(a)
Each ASES and all solar-related equipment shall be removed within
12 months of the date when the use has been discontinued or abandoned
by the system owner and/or operator, or upon termination of the useful
life of same.
(b)
The ASES owner shall, at the request of the Borough, provide
adequate information to justify that the system has not been abandoned.
(8)
Permit requirements.
(a)
Prior to the installation or modification of any ASES, a zoning
permit shall be obtained from the Borough of Bellefonte. Failure to
obtain a permit shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
(b)
Zoning permit applications shall document compliance with this
chapter and at a minimum shall be accompanied by drawings showing
the location of the system on the building and/or property, including
property lines, zoning setbacks, and structures. Permit documents
must be kept on the premises where the ASES is constructed.
B.
Roof-mounted and wall-mounted accessory solar energy systems.
(1)
A roof-mounted or wall-mounted ASES may be located on a principal
or accessory building.
(2)
ASES mounted on roofs or walls of any building shall be subject to
the maximum height regulations specified for principal and accessory
buildings within the underlying Zoning District.
(3)
Wall-mounted ASES shall comply with the setbacks for principal and
accessory structures in the underlying zoning district.
(4)
In all cases, solar modules shall not extend beyond any portion of
the roof edge.
C.
Ground-mounted accessory solar energy systems.
(1)
Setbacks. The minimum yard setbacks from the side and rear property
lines shall be the same as the accessory structure setback in the
zoning district.
(a)
For small ground-mounted units under 225 square feet in ground
floor area and not exceeding 10 feet in height, the minimum yard setback
for the side and rear property lines shall be the same as that of
a small accessory structure setback in the zoning district.
(b)
For large ground-mounted units between 226 square feet in ground
floor area and 1,000 square feet and not exceeding 15 feet in height,
the minimum yard setback shall conform to the same standards set forth
for accessory structures in the zoning district.
(2)
Ground-mounted ASES shall not be installed in the front yard of the
property as defined by the zoning code of the Borough of Bellefonte.
(3)
Coverage.
(a)
The area beneath the ground-mounted ASES, if not otherwise disturbed,
is considered pervious cover. However, use of impervious construction
materials under the system could cause the area to be considered impervious
and subject to the impervious surfaces limitations for the applicable
zoning district.
(b)
The total surface area of the ground-mounted ASES on a residential
property shall not exceed more than 15% of the total pervious lot
area.
(c)
The total ground floor area shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.
(4)
Screening. Mechanical equipment of the ground-mounted ASES shall
be screened from any adjacent property. The screen shall consist of
shrubbery, trees, or other plant materials which provides a visual
screen. In lieu of a planting screen, a decorative fence meeting the
requirements of the Borough of Bellefonte Zoning Ordinance[1] may be used.
(5)
Location limitations. Ground-mounted ASES shall not be placed within
any legal easement or right-of-way location or be placed within any
storm, water conveyance system or in any other manner that would alter
or impede stormwater runoff from collecting in a constructed stormwater
conveyance system.
A.
All solar modules on roof surfaces shall blend in or not be visible
from the primary facade or elevation
B.
All ASES installations shall meet the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Standards for
Rehabilitation, Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating
Historic Buildings, and Incorporating Solar Panels in a Rehabilitation
Project disseminated by the National Park Service (NPS) and available
on their website online.
C.
All solar installations placed on historic properties shall comply
with the Historic District ordinance. Individually designated historic
properties not located in the Historic District shall adhere to the
same process and limitations.
