Solar Energy

The city's building regulations include a section on solar energy collectors providing standards for installation. Collectors must be installed so as not be visible from any street (§150.162), and all mechanical connections must be covered with flashing and painted to match the structure (§150.163.D). However, property owners may apply for modifications or exceptions if the regulations cause undue hardship or will not be detrimental to public health, safety, and welfare or property values (§150.164). Additionally, the code describes the permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems (§150.165–150.168). In the city's zoning regulations, the design review ordinance includes as an evaluation criterion that plans or designs must include to the extent possible passive solar design opportunities and sustainable technologies (§153.355.A.5).