§ 6-4-6-8. SPECIAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO SOLAR COLLECTORS.

(A)

Purpose and Applicability: The purpose of this Section is to ensure that solar collectors, whether accessory to principal uses, or integrated with principal uses, are compatible in character and appearance with the principal structure and surrounding neighborhood or area of the zoning districts in which they are located.

The provisions of this Section apply to solar collectors installed or modified after the effective date hereof. Solar collectors are permitted as an accessory use to any principal permitted or special use subject to the following development standards.

(B)

Appearance and Materials: Solar collectors should be neutral in color and generally matching the roof color of the principal structure. All such devices shall have the following characteristics:

1.

Not be plastic or other non-UV stable material;

2.

Include frames, where applicable, of anodized aluminum or painted steel; and

3.

Where devices are encased with glass, the glass shall be nonreflective tempered glass.

(C)

Yards: Solar collectors shall be subject to the following yard requirements:

1.

Solar collectors are an allowed encroachment in front, side, and rear yards so long as they do not project more than five (5) feet from an exterior wall.

2.

Solar collectors may be located flush with the exterior wall of the principal and street facing facades.

3.

In side wall installations, solar collectors must be set back a minimum of three (3) feet from the property line.

4.

In rear wall installations, solar collectors must be set back a minimum of three (3) feet from the rear property line.

(D)

Height: Solar collectors shall be subject to the following height requirements:

1.

Solar collectors may not exceed the maximum building height requirements for the district in which they are located;

2.

Solar collectors located on sloped roof buildings may extend up to five (5) feet above the roof ridge; and

3.

Solar collectors located on flat roofed buildings may extend up to ten (10) feet above the roof height.

(E)

Bulk Requirements: Solar collectors integrated into the structure or building cladding shall be subject to the bulk requirements of the zoning district in which they are located.

(F)

Ground Mounted Separate or Adjacent to the Principal Structure: Solar collectors mounted on the ground shall not:

1.

Be more than ten (10) feet high;

2.

Have a footprint (as determined by a horizontal plane at the ground generated by extending all parts of the structure vertically down) greater than twenty five percent (25%) of the principal building footprint; or

3.

Be located in front- or street-facing yards.

(G)

Accessory Structures: Solar collectors mounted to accessory structures:

1.

Shall comply with all yard requirements for accessory structures; and

2.

May extend up to four (4) feet above the roof ridge for sloped roof structures and up to five (5) feet above the roof height for flat roofed structures.

(H)

Lot Coverage or Impervious Surface Area: Solar collectors which meet the minimum standards and maximum size limits as determined by this Section shall not be counted in lot coverage or impervious surface area.

(Ord. 35-0-08)