Solar Energy

The city's zoning ordinance permits accessory solar energy systems by right in all districts and provides standards for these uses. The code defines a number of solar energy-related terms (§375-6.B) and recognizes solar energy and solar access as valid public rights and a priority of the city's sustainability agenda, permitting solar energy systems as accessory uses in all districts subject to standards (§375-3-6.b). It also provides placement standards for rooftop systems in residential districts; systems in neighborhood commercial districts require planning staff review and systems in historic districts require a certificate of appropriateness (§375-5-19). The code also provides standards for ground-mounted systems in all districts, which also require planning staff review (§375-3-6.b-A). Building-integrated solar is permitted in all districts (§375-3-6.b-E). If systems are nonfunctioning for 12 consecutive months, they must be removed (§375-3-6.b).