[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
The purpose of this Article of the City Code is to promote the
use of renewable energy and to provide for the development, installation,
and construction of renewable energy systems on residential property
subject to criteria and regulations established to protect the public
health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
For the purposes of this Article, terms used for renewable energy
structures shall be defined as follows:
An active solar system that is an integral part of a principal
or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing
or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the
building. Building-integrated systems include but are not limited
to photovoltaic or hot-water solar systems that are contained within
roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings. PV shingles or
tiles, PV laminates, and PV glazing are all examples of BIPV.
The effect produced by light reflecting from a solar energy
system with an intensity sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort,
or loss in visual performance and visibility.
A system that uses the relatively constant temperature of
the earth to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.
A system that circulates a heat transfer fluid, typically
food-grade antifreeze, through pipes or coils buried beneath the land
surface.
A closed loop ground source heat pump system where the loops
or coils are installed horizontally in a trench or series of trenches
no more than twenty (20) feet below the surface.
A system that uses groundwater as a heat transfer fluid by
drawing ground water from a well to a heat pump and then discharging
the water over land, directly in a water body or into an injection
well.
A closed loop ground system heat pump where the loops or
coils are installed vertically in one (1) or more borings below the
land surface.
A solar energy system that is not attached to a structure
and is affixed to the ground.
A solar energy system that converts sunlight into electrical
energy.
A solar energy system affixed to the roof of either a principal
or accessory structure.
A structure designed for the purpose of converting wind energy
into electrical energy to reduce on-site consumption of utility power.
A structure designed for the purpose of collecting and transforming
solar energy into thermal or electrical energy. Solar energy systems
may include photovoltaic or solar thermal systems.
A solar energy system that uses sunlight to produce heat
that is used for space heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and
heating pool water.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
A.
Solar and small wind energy systems are structures which shall be
permitted on all residential property zoned residential, estate or
non-urban district.
B.
The requirements of the City Code shall apply to all solar and small
wind energy systems installed or modified after the effective date
of this Article on all residential property zoned residential, estate
or non-urban district.
C.
Any upgrade, modification, or structural change that alters the size
or placement of an existing solar or small wind energy system shall
comply with the provisions of this Article.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
A.
The following general requirements apply to all solar energy systems.
All solar energy systems shall:
B.
Minimum Requirements For Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems. All
ground-mounted solar energy systems shall:
1.
Be located in the rear yard of the residential property;
2.
Not exceed ten (10) feet in height as measured from the average
grade at the base of the structure to the highest point of the structure;
3.
Have all exterior electrical and/or plumbing lines connecting
to a principal or accessory structure be located underground; and
4.
Ground-mounted solar energy systems must be substantially screened
from public view (including adjacent properties and public rights-of-way)
by fencing, walls, plantings or other architectural feature or any
combination thereof; provided, however, that screening shall not be
required to be so dense, so tall or so located as to render the equipment
essentially non-functional.
C.
Minimum Requirements For Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems.
1.
All roof-mounted solar energy systems shall be mounted on a
principal or accessory building or structure.
2.
Mounting on sloped roofs:
a.
System shall not exceed the height of the existing roofline
as illustrated below.
b.
System shall be mounted parallel to the roof, not to exceed
twelve (12) inches above the roofline to which it is affixed.
c.
System shall be positioned in a symmetrical fashion and centered
on the plane of the roof on which it is located.
d.
System shall be set back at least two (2) feet from any outside
edge, ridge, or valley of the roof.
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3.
Mounting On Flat Roofs.
a.
System shall be mounted parallel to the roof, not to exceed
thirty-six (36) inches above the roofline to which it is affixed.
b.
System shall be positioned in a symmetrical fashion and centered
on the plane of the roof on which it is located.
c.
System shall be set back at least two (2) feet from any outside
edge, ridge, or valley of the roof.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
A.
One small wind energy system shall be permitted per residential lot
and shall:
1.
Comply with all minimum yard structure setback requirements
for the zoning district in which the property is located;
2.
Only be located in the rear yard of the residential property;
3.
Be ground mounted only;
4.
Have a maximum tower height that does not exceed the maximum
height permitted for a structure in the zoning district in which the
tower is located or the maximum height of the existing residential
structure, whichever is less;
5.
Height shall be measured as the distance from average grade
at the base of the structure to the highest point of the structure;
6.
Adhere to Chapter 500 of the Chesterfield City Code pertaining to minimum standards for property maintenance;
7.
Be placed in such a manner that glare will not be directed onto
nearby properties or adjacent street and does not create significant
shadow flicker impacts. "Significant shadow flicker" is defined as
more than thirty (30) hours per calendar year on abutting occupied
buildings;
8.
Have a sound level that does not exceed sixty (60) decibels
as measured at the site property line, except during short-term events
such as severe wind storms and utility outages;
9.
Either be stock color from the manufacturer or painted with
a non-reflective, unobtrusive color that blends in with the surrounding
environment;
10.
Have all exterior electrical lines located underground; and
11.
Not be illuminated by artificial means, except where the illumination
is specifically required by the Federal Aviation Administration or
other Federal, State, or local regulations.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
A.
Only closed loop ground source heat pump systems utilizing heat transfer
fluids as defined are permitted. Open loop ground source heat pump
systems are prohibited.
B.
Setbacks.
1.
All components of ground source heat pump systems including
pumps, borings and loops shall be set back at least five (5) feet
from all property lines.
2.
Aboveground equipment associated with ground source heat pumps
shall not be installed in a front yard. Equipment shall be located
in the side or rear yard, set back at least five (5) feet from the
property line.
3.
Ground source heat pump systems shall not be located or encroach
upon any recorded easement.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
A.
Municipal zoning approval is required for all solar, small wind energy
systems and ground source heat pump systems prior to the issuance
of a building permit. The following information shall be submitted
to the Department of Planning:
1.
An application for municipal zoning approval.
2.
Five (5) copies of a plot plan, drawn to scale and including
the following information:
a.
Location and size of the renewable energy structure, including
the height of the residential structure, the maximum height of the
solar or small wind energy system, and the height of all other structures
located on the property;
b.
The location and type of screening for proposed ground-mounted
solar energy systems;
c.
All existing and proposed easements/rights-of-way on the site;
d.
Specific structure setbacks in accordance with the structure
setbacks established in the governing zoning district;
e.
For small wind energy systems, the applicant shall have the
burden of proving the shadow flicker will not have significant adverse
impact on neighboring or adjacent uses. Potential shadow flicker will
be addressed either through siting or mitigation measures; and
f.
Any other information as required by the City of Chesterfield.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
Decisions of the Director of Planning regarding the application
of this Article may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment in accordance
with applicable procedures as established by the Board of Adjustment.
[CC 1990 § 7-21; Ord. No. 2760, 9-9-2013]
A.
Solar, ground source heat pump and small wind energy systems lawfully
installed and operable on residential property, prior to the effective
date of this Article of the City Code, are exempt from the requirements
herein unless:
1.
The solar, ground source heat pump or small wind energy system
is moved to another location on the property, enlarged, or replaced
with a new system; or
2.
Any other work or alteration is done to the existing solar,
ground source heat pump or small wind energy system that requires
municipal zoning approval by the City.
