(a) Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Building code
is the International Building Code and the International
Residential Construction Code, as may be appropriate, and all ancillary
building codes, as adopted and amended by the City of Richland Hills.
Building official
means the chief building official or the chief building official's
designee to enforce this article.
Council
means the City Council of the City of Richland Hills.
Electric code
is the National Electric Code, as adopted and amended by
the City of Richland Hills.
Flat roof
means roof construction with a slope of half-inch per foot
or less.
Photovoltaic system
means a system consisting of multiple components, including
cells, mechanical and electrical connections and mountings and means
of regulating and/or modifying the electrical output, which system
uses solar cells to convert light into electricity.
(b) Permit
required.
No photovoltaic systems shall be installed,
constructed, erected, maintained, or used within the city without
first obtaining required building and electrical permits from the
building official.
(c) Application
requirements.
All photovoltaic systems shall comply with
all applicable provisions set forth in the building and electric codes
as adopted by this chapter. Permit applications for photovoltaic systems
shall provide the following:
(1) Completed permit application form with the required information provided;
(2) A dimensioned site plan or drawing graphically depicting all existing
and proposed structures on the site, setbacks, easements, adjacent
rights-of-way, lot boundaries and dimensions, parking spaces, the
photovoltaic system and associated components, a directional arrow,
and any other features necessary to evaluate the proposals compliance
with City Code, as determined by the building official;
(3) A letter sealed by a qualified engineer stating the calculations
and details demonstrating method of attachment of panels and adequacy
of supporting members. Include wind uplift effects; and
(4) Elevation drawings that show heights of the panels and indicate how
they comply with the height limit for the property.
(d) Development
standards.
(1) Panels and equipment shall not be located in required setbacks.
(2) Panels and equipment shall not be located in required parking areas.
(3) Related equipment may be located where on-site utility meters are
permitted; provided, however, that if on-site utility meters are located
within an easement, the applicant shall provide a notarized letter
from the current owner of said easement granting permission to locate
such equipment in the easement.
(4) Ground-mounted panels may be located where accessory structures are
permitted.
(5) All related equipment and conduit, excluding photovoltaic panels,
shall be screened from the public right-of-way.
(6) Skylights, access or ventilation hatches shall require a minimum
of three feet of clearance from obstructions. Residential applications
shall require a pathway a minimum of three feet wide around two sides
of such structures. Commercial applications shall require a pathway
a minimum of four feet wide around two sides of such structures.
(7) No component of a photovoltaic systems mounted on the roof tops shall
be located within four feet of any HVAC equipment or other motorized
or electric appliances.
(8) Residential photovoltaic panel clusters shall be no larger than 50
feet by 50 feet, and each panel cluster must be separated by a minimum
of three feet.
(9) Commercial or nonresidential photovoltaic panel clusters shall be
no larger than 150 feet by 150 feet, and each panel cluster must be
separated by a minimum eight feet.
(10) Commercial or nonresidential photovoltaic panel clusters shall not
be located closer than six feet from the edges of the roof.
(11) South-facing pitched roofs (within 45 degrees east or west of due
south), in addition to all other applicable provisions, shall be subject
to the following provisions:
a. Photovoltaic panels shall be low profile and, if mounted on a pitched
roof, must be parallel with the plane of the pitched roof.
b. The top of photovoltaic panels shall not extend more than eight inches
above the adjacent finish roofing surface (e.g., shingles).
c. Photovoltaic panels shall not project above the ridge line of a pitched
roof.
d. Placement of photovoltaic panels shall be uniform; they shall be
considered part of the overall roof configuration. The shape and proportions
of the array shall be matched to the shape and proportions of the
roof.
e. The color of photovoltaic panel frames and support structure shall
be neutral and compatible with the surface color of the roof, if visible
from the street or adjacent buildings.
f. Exposed frames and components shall be a nonreflective surface.
g. In residential applications, photovoltaic panels placed on hip or
pitched roofs shall be placed so as to provide an access pathway from
the eave to the ridge on each roof slope at least one, three-foot-wide,
and six inches of clearance shall be provided along eaves.
h. In residential applications where the structure has a single ridge,
photovoltaic panels shall be placed so as to provide at least two
access pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope at least
one, three-foot-wide.
i. Photovoltaic modules shall be located no closer than 18 inches from
any hip or valley feature of a pitched roof.
(12) North and east-facing pitched roofs (within 45 degrees of south of
due east or west), in addition to all other applicable provisions,
shall be subject to the following provisions:
a. The tilt of photovoltaic panels shall not exceed 15 degrees above
the horizontal plane.
b. The height of photovoltaic panels shall not exceed 24 inches above
the roof surface at any point.
c. Photovoltaic panels shall not project above the roof ridge line.
d. Placement of photovoltaic panels shall be uniform; they shall be
considered part of the overall roof configuration. The shape and proportions
of the array shall be matched to the shape and proportions of the
roof.
e. The color of photovoltaic panel frames and support structure should
be neutral and compatible with roof surface color, if visible from
the street or adjacent buildings.
f. Exposed frames and components shall be a nonreflective surface.
g. In residential applications, photovoltaic panels placed on hip or
pitched roofs shall be placed so as to provide an access pathway from
the eave to the ridge on each roof slope at least one, three-foot-wide,
and six inches of clearance shall be provided along eaves.
h. In residential applications where the structure has a single ridge,
photovoltaic panels shall be placed so as to provide at least two
access pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope at least
one, three-foot-wide.
i. Photovoltaic modules shall be located no closer than 18 inches from
any hip or valley feature of a pitched roof.
(13) Flat roofs, in addition to all other applicable provisions, shall
be subject to the following provisions:
a. The top of photovoltaic panels shall not extend more than 30 inches
above the adjacent finish roofing surface on flat roofs, with or without
parapets.
b. Placement of photovoltaic panels shall be uniform; they shall be
considered part of the overall roof configuration. The shape and proportions
of the array shall be matched to the shape and proportions of the
roof.
c. Color of photovoltaic panel frames and support structure shall be
neutral and compatible with roof surface color when visible from the
street or adjacent buildings.
d. Exposed frames and components shall be a nonreflective surface.
e. When mounted on a residential buildings with a flat roof, no component
of a photovoltaic system shall be located within four feet of the
perimeter of the flat roof, and an access pathway at least four feet
wide shall be provided, located at a structurally strong location
on the building, such as a bearing wall.
(e) Electric
installation provisions.
The following provisions shall
be met in addition to all applicable electric codes as set forth by
this chapter; where conflicts arise, the more restrictive shall apply.
(1) Electrical panel shall be labeled "CAUTION: SOLAR ELECTRIC CONNECTED".
(2) All electrical panel shut-offs shall be designed to shut off all
power (solar and domestic) after the panel.
(3) All electrical equipment shall be listed by a recognized testing
agency.
(4) A means of disconnect, which is rated for both AC (alternating current)
and DC (direct current) voltage, shall be provided.
(5) Hazardous transmission lines shall be labeled "CAUTION—ELECTRICAL
HAZARD".
(6) Signage or clear identification of main service disconnect using
minimum ⅜-inch height letters with reflective weather-resistant
material shall be provided.
(f) Approval.
The building official shall have the authority to approve permits
for photovoltaic systems as an accessory to structures within the
city, provided the permit request complies with provisions set forth
in this chapter. Alternative methods of compliance may be permitted
with approval from the building official and the fire marshal.
(g) Appeal.
Denied permits may be appealed to the city council after a recommendation
is made by the planning and zoning commission. Appeal requests must
be received within ten calendar days of permit denial by written letter
from the property owner. The appeal request must include a statement
detailing the provisions are not compliant and a detailed explanation
describing the need for relief from the code provisions as adopted.
The appeal before the planning and zoning commission and the city
council shall be duly notice public hearings.
[Ord. No. 1161-10, § 1, 2-23-2010]