HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Amending Regulations on Solar Energy Systems and Roof-Mounted Solar Panels 1
ORDINANCE NO. 4496
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL
i CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY
AMENDING SECTION 29.1309 THEREOF, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF REGULATNG SOLAR ENERGY
SYSTEMS AND ROOF-MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS
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REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE
EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the
same is hereby amending Section 29.1309 as follows:
" Sec. 29,1309 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (SES).
(2) District Classifications.
(b) Non-residential Properties. As used in this subsection, all properties not
zoned in the residential classifications above shall be classified as non-
residential property.
(c) Properties within a Historic District Overlay or a Landmark as identified
with Chapter 31, may have additional Certificate of Appropriateness
requirements as defined within Chapter 31.
(3) Freestanding Solar Energy Systems:
(c) Height in Zoning Districts other than General Industrial:
(i) Six (G) feet in height maximum inside and rear yards.
(ii) Four(4) feet in height maximum in front yards.
(iii) The height shall be measured from the grade at system base to the
highest peak, including the highest position of any adjustable system.
(d) Height in the General Industrial Zoning District:
(i) Twenty (20) feet in height maximum in front yard provided the front
setback of the zoning district is met.
(ii) Twenty (20) feet in height maximum inside and rear yards provided
the required side and rear setbacks (Section 3(a)(ii), above) are met.
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(iii) The height shall be measured from the grade at system base to the
highest peak, including the highest position of any adjustable system.
(f) Freestanding System Size:
(ii) Non-Residential Properties.
(a) Systems shall not exceed the footprint of the principal building
served.
(b) Within the General Industrial zone:the footprint of systems may
exceed the footprint of the principal building subject to meeting
all other development standards.
I' (4) Wall-Mounted Solar Energy Systems
(a) Residential
(i) No part of the system shall project more than five (5) feet from the
building.
(ii) In the case of front wall mounting, attached systems are only allowed
subject to approval of a Solar Energy System Special Use Permit by
s the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The front wall, as used in this
section is defined as any wall coincident with the front yard as defined
in Section 29.406(7) (e).
E (iii) No part of the system shall extend more than 50 percent into any
i required side or rear setback. No part of the system shall extend into
any required front setback.
(iv) No portion of any solar energy system shall extend into any easement,
right of way or public way, regardless of above stated exceptions and
regulations for setback and yard requirements.
(v) Systems shall. not exceed the maximum height in the zone, for the
structure to which it is attached.
(vi) The building must have a conforming principal use.
(vii) Section 29.401(5), pertaining to height exceptions for architectural
features and projections shall not apply.
(viii) Section 29.402(2), pertaining to exceptions for projections into
required setbacks shall not apply.
(ix) There is no surface area size limitation on attached systems, unless
otherwise required by a Solar Energy System Special Use Permit.
(b) Non-Residential
(i) No part of the system shall project more than five (5) feet from the
wall.
(ii) Setbacks
(a) No part of the system shall extend more than 50 percent into any
required side or rear setback.
(b) No part of the system shall extend more than 20 percent into any
required front setback..
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(iii) No part of the system shall exceed the maximum height permitted in
the zone for the structure to which it is attached except for the
projections allowed in(ii) above.
(iv) The building must have a conforming principal use.
(v) Section 29.401(5), pertaining to height exceptions for architectural
1 features and projections shall not apply.
(vi) Section 29.402(2), pertaining to exceptions for projections into
required setbacks shall not apply.
(5) Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems. Residential and non-residential roof-
mounted systems are subject to the following standards.
(a) No Roof-Mounted Solar Energy System may project beyond the edge of the
roof or eaves.
(b) Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems are allowed on structures that project
into minimum setbacks.
(6) Zoning Permit-Exempt Systems. The following systems are exempt from
zoning permit requirements:
(c) Roof-Mounted Systems for all uses.
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(17) Commercial systems: A Commercial Solar Energy System is not allowed in the
City of Ames under this Section.
Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage and publication as required by law.
Passed this 11 day of April,2023.
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Renee fall, City Clerk John A. Haila, May
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