Solar Energy

The city's municipal code includes a chapter establishing the rights of residents to views and sunlight free from unreasonable obstruction by trees. One of the criteria used to determine unreasonable obstruction is the extent to which trees interfere with efficient operation of an initiating party's pre-existing solar energy system (5-8.05.c).

According to the city's zoning code, solar panels may be approved by the Planning Director under the following conditions: the system is the minimum size necessary to adequately serve its purpose, it is suitably screened by landscaping and blends with its surroundings, and it is screened in a manner that does not significantly affect the basic function of the equipment (Sec. 10-2.703).

The code's site development standards require opportunities for passive solar energy to be considered in the siting of buildings (Sec. 10-2.702.d).

The Planning Director or designee shall review and act on site development applications for solar panels in excess of 3 ft in height or 30 sq ft in development area without the necessity of notice and a hearing (Sec. 10-2.301.a.1).

The code establishes PV power generation and solar thermal energy facilities as permitted accessory buildings so long as they are constructed in accordance with setback requirements (Sec. 10-1.702.d.o, p).

The code offers development area bonuses for roof-mounted PV as long as certain requirements are met (Sec. 10-1.502.6).

The code defines photovoltaic power generation facility and solar thermal energy facility (Sec. 10-1.202).