(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]