Wind Energy

The county’s unified development code defines and regulates small wind energy conversion systems (SWECS) and wind farms (§107.180). It highlights the incorporation of comprehensive plan alternative and renewable energy goals into the code by zoning district (Table 107.147.3). This includes Objective 3.2 “Encourage development of local alternative and renewable energy resources through identification and removal of regulatory barriers.”

It permits SWECS as accessory uses by right in most districts, subject to use-specific standards (§107.117.d). It regulates three types of SWECS – freestanding, structure-mounted, and guyed  - and applies type-dependent setback standards (§107.117.d.5). It permits greater SWECS height on properties larger than one acre (§107.117.d.1). SWECS must meet noise, interconnection, abandonment, screening and safety, sign, and lighting standards. It defines SWECS procedures for administrative exceptions.

It allows wind farms in the agricultural and Critical Natural Resources districts with a discretionary use permit, subject to use-specific standards (Table 107.147.1). Wind farms must conform to five setback standards (§107.117.e.3.a). Wind farms must comply with noise, lighting, and signal interference standards ((§107.117.e).