§ 331-25. Solar energy collectors.

A. 

Installation of solar energy collectors, other than for one- and two-family dwellings, which collectors shall cover 1,000 square feet or more, individually or in aggregate, of the roof area of a building, shall be subject to approval by the Planning Board, in accordance with the provisions and procedures of Article XIII, Site Plan Approval, which shall take into account the needs of energy conservation.

B. 

Access to sunlight for present and potential solar energy systems, both on- and off-site, as well as building siting, orientation and landscaping, shall be considered by all approving agencies as part of their review of any application.

Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C, which immediately followed and regulated new construction on a lot that would block access to sunlight, was repealed 12-8-2015 by Ord. No. 233-2015.

C. 

Rooftop and building-mounted (including parking garage rooftop) solar energy collectors shall be allowed as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts, subject to the following requirements:

[Added 11-15-2016 by Ord. No. 233-2016]

(1) 

Building permits shall be required for installation of rooftop and building-mounted solar energy collectors.

(2) 

The solar energy collector surface and mounting devices for building-mounted solar energy collectors shall be set back not less than one foot from the exterior perimeter of a roof for every one foot that the system extends above the parapet wall or roof surface, if no parapet wall exists, on which the system is mounted. Solar energy systems that extend less than three feet above the roof surface shall be exempt from this provision.

D. 

Ground-mounted and freestanding solar collectors are permitted by special permit to the Planning Board as accessory structures in all zoning districts, subject to the following requirements:

[Added 11-15-2016 by Ord. No. 233-2016]

(1) 

The location of the solar energy collector meets all applicable setback requirements of the zone in which it is located.

(2) 

The height of the solar collector and any mounts shall not exceed the height of the principal structure or 20 feet, whichever is less, when oriented at maximum tilt.

(3) 

The total surface area of all ground-mounted and freestanding solar collectors shall not exceed 1,000 square feet in area or 5% of the area of the lot on which they are located, whichever is less.

(4) 

A building permit has been obtained for the solar collector.

(5) 

The solar collector is located in a side or rear yard.

(6) 

All abandoned or unused freestanding solar energy collectors shall be removed within six months of the cessation of operations.

(7) 

Solar collectors shall be screened from neighboring properties and the public right-of-way, as appropriate.

E. 

Height Exceptions for rooftop and building-mounted Solar Energy Collectors.

[Added 11-15-2016 by Ord. No. 233-2016]

(1) 

One-Family and Two Family Residential Districts.

(a) 

Solar energy collectors may extend up to 18 inches above the maximum height limit, with unlimited rooftop coverage.

(2) 

Multifamily Residential Districts.

(a) 

Notwithstanding the height limitations of the zoning district, solar energy collectors may extend up to two feet above the ridge level of a roof on a structure with a gable, hip or gambrel roof and shall not extend higher than four feet above the surface of the roof when installed on a flat or shed roof, with unlimited rooftop coverage. The Planning Board may grant exceptions up to six feet if viewsheds are protected.

(3) 

Mixed-Use Districts.

(a) 

Solar energy collectors may extend up to four feet above the surface of the roof, with unlimited rooftop coverage. The Planning Board may grant exceptions up to six feet if viewsheds are protected.

(4) 

Commercial and Industrial Districts.

(a) 

Solar energy collectors may extend up to four feet above the maximum height limit, with unlimited rooftop coverage. The Planning Board may grant exceptions up to six feet if viewsheds are protected.

Amended 12-11-2007 by Ord. No. 294-2007