Solar Energy

The city's unified development ordinance allows accessory solar energy uses by right in all districts and includes solar within its sustainable development incentive program. It allows solar energy systems by right as accessory uses in all districts and subject to a master plan in planned development districts (Table 30-4.D.2.E). It provides standards for solar energy systems, requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness in historic districts, prohibiting ground-based equipment in front or corner side yards, encouraging a low visual profile for rooftop systems, and allowing solar energy equipment to project into side and rear yards (§30-4-D.3.s).

The unified development ordinance also includes three solar-related items in its menu of sustainability features for its sustainable development incentive: renewable energy generation, solar access provision, and solar orientation (§30-5-N.5).