The city promotes the use of alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy systems, to reduce demand on the regional energy grid.
This section establishes design and operational standards for permitting and installation of renewable energy systems. The standards of this section shall apply to the installation and renewal of permits for all renewable energy systems, public and private. All renewable energy systems shall be subject to administrative plan review to ensure compliance with the standards of this section.
A. Measurements. All measurements, setbacks, and provisions of this section shall apply to any portion of the renewable energy system. Where devices include moving parts, the measurement shall be taken from the outermost edge of the moving portions of the device.
B. Development Standards. The following requirements shall apply to all renewable energy systems based on the type of system and applicable performance standards.
1. Setbacks. All renewable energy systems mounted to a building or structure shall be subject to the required setbacks of the applicable zone, except as modified below:
i. There shall be a minimum ten-foot setback from any street frontage or right-of-way.
ii. Encroachments may be allowed for proper function of the renewable energy system; no portion of the system shall be less than two feet from any interior property line.
iii. Standalone ground-mounted renewable energy systems are subject to a CUP and appropriate public hearings in the NL, NM, IF, LI, M2, and M3 zones.
2. Height. Renewable energy systems may be allowed mounted to a building, structure, or roof. The height shall not exceed fifteen feet from the base/mount of the unit to the top of the unit (including blade length in vertical position, where applicable).
i. Solar panels shall be limited to a maximum height of five feet from the base/mount of the unit. Solar panels shall be permitted, subject to a CUP, in conjunction with carports and garages in parking areas in all zones.
ii. Additional height encroachments may be permitted through a CUP where adjacency conditions prevent a renewable energy system within the fifteen-foot height limitation to function properly.
3. Size/Coverage. A renewable energy system, or group of systems, shall not exceed thirty percent area coverage of the surface to which the system is mounted; additional area coverage may be permitted through a CUP.
4. Noise. All renewable energy systems shall be operated in such a manner that they do not exceed the city's noise standards, found in Chapter
11.34, Noise Control Program.
5. Design. The following measures shall be followed to minimize the visual impact of a renewable energy system:
i. Systems shall be white, grey, or other nonobtrusive color. Solar systems shall be exempt from the color requirements.
ii. Design of nonsolar/nonwind systems shall complement the design of the associated building or structure.
iii. Removal of existing vegetation shall be minimized.
iv. Any accessory structure shall be painted or otherwise visually treated to blend with the surroundings.
v. A structure shall be nonreflective in all areas possible to blend with the surroundings.
6. Security Fencing. Public access shall be restricted through the use of a fence with locked gates, nonclimbable towers, or other suitable methods.
C. System Review. All renewable energy systems shall have adequate plans during application and administrative plan review through the building and safety department to specifically address all of the following information. The applicant shall submit the following:
1. Standard drawings to demonstrate compliance with the latest version of the California Building Code.
2. Line drawings of electrical components of the renewable energy system in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the applicable electrical code.
3. Plan and elevation diagram of the renewable energy system and placement showing compliance with the standards of this section and the applicable zone.
4. Plans specifying the renewable energy system's manufacturer, model, power rating, and blade dimensions (where applicable).
D. Nonoperation. The project owner shall post a bond, lien contract agreement, cash deposit, or other form of surety acceptable to the director, sufficient to allow for the removal of nonoperational renewable energy system(s).
1. Any nonoperational renewable energy system, or any system not in compliance with the provisions of this section, shall be removed within twelve months of nonoperation or citation by the city. Violations and abatement procedures shall comply with Chapter
11.56, Enforcement.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)