This chapter provides the requirements and standards for the location and operation of power generating facilities as defined in Section 19.08.070. It is the intent of this chapter to minimize the adverse impacts of such uses and their associated equipment by establishing permitting requirements and standards for locating the various types of facilities within residential, commercial, industrial and public/quasi-public zones.
(Ord. 5428 § 1, 2014)
A.
Exempt from Permit. In addition to the requirements established
by Article II, the following power generating facilities are exempt
from permit, subject to the City’s Planning Manager’s
and/or building official’s determination that the proposed power
generating unit or facility will not have an adverse impact on public
health and safety:
1.
Emergency
power generating facilities such as temporary portable generators,
permanent natural gas generators or similar emergency facilities are
principally permitted within the residential zone districts when in
conformance with the established residential standards.
2.
Passive
power generating facilities that conform to the residential standards
and do not materially impact the character of the zone district or
adjacent residential uses are exempt from obtaining a permit.
C.
Residential Standards. The following requirements shall apply
to power generating facilities in all residential zones established
by Article II:
1.
Setbacks. Permanent ground mounted and portable temporary
generators shall comply with separation requirements from structures
as required by all applicable Building and Fire Codes.
2.
Front Yard Setback/Screening Required. Permanent emergency
generators shall not be placed in front yards and shall be screened
from public view from streets and adjacent properties by fences, or
walls of six feet in height and/or landscaping. Portable temporary
generators (gas/diesel) used during emergency power outages shall
not be located within the front yard setback. Solar ground mounted
panels or photovoltaic panels shall not be allowed within the front
yard setback.
3.
Roof Mounting. Solar panels and photovoltaic applications
shall be allowed to be mounted on residential roofs with the provision
that these improvements conform to the maximum height standards established
in Article II. Additionally, solar panels and photo voltaics shall
be mounted to the roof in a manner that does not detract from the
surrounding neighborhood and preserves the residential nature of the
house. Typical methods to achieve this would be to mount the panels
as close to parallel to the pitch of the roof and in close proximity
to the roofing material.
D.
Commercial and Industrial Standards. The following requirements
shall apply to power generating facilities in all commercial and industrial
zones established by Article II:
1.
Development Standards. Emergency power generating facilities
shall be sited so that they are screened from public view from streets
and adjacent properties. Emergency power generating facilities and
all other power generating facilities shall comply with all development
standards of the applicable zoning district.
2.
Roof Mounting. Power generating facilities are permitted to
be mounted on the roof. Where reasonably feasible, the power generating
units shall be screened from view by the building’s parapet
or roof design.
E.
Operation. Emergency power generating facilities shall be
limited in usage to times when power is unavailable from the local
electric utility due to scheduled blackouts or due to natural disasters
which have impacted the utility’s ability to provide service.
Limited testing of the facilities is permitted during times in which
electricity is available from the utility. Emergency power generating
facilities are not permitted to provide a substitute or supplemental
power source under normal circumstances when the electric utility
is capable of delivering power.
(Ord. 5428 § 1, 2014)
