Section 7-7-10
Dimensional standards
Lot
Uses
Permitted by right1
Conditional / special use1
- special exception required if land disturbance >= 2,500 sq ft
Extracted standards
16 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Lowest surface of panel maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. above grade4 ft
The lowest surface of any panel shall be a maximum of 4 ft. above the finished grade on which the panel is located.
Height
- Ground-mounted heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. limit15 ft
If the utility-scale solar energy facility is ground-mounted, the facility's height shall not exceed 15 ft. at the tallest point, including appurtenances. The Board of Supervisors may approve a greater height based upon the demonstration of a significant need where the impacts of increased height are mitigated.
- Roof-mounted heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. limit
If the utility-solar energy facility is roof-mounted or otherwise integrated into a principal or accessory building, the facility's height shall not exceed the maximum height limit of the district in which it is located.
Noise
- Noise limit at nearest neighboring dwelling50 dBA
or 50 dBA as measured at the nearest neighboring dwelling.
- Noise limit at property line60 dBA
During operation, a utility-scale solar facility shall not produce a noise level that exceeds 60 dBA as measured at the property line
Other
- Buffer width100 ft
The buffer shall be ... minimum buffer width shall be 100 feet wide. The first 50 feet adjacent to the property line shall be planted as described in Type C and the remaining 50 feet shall be planted with staggered rows of evergreen tree plugs, except to the extent that existing vegetation provides the same screening.
- Minimum distance between utility-scale solar facilities2 miles
No utility-scale solar facility shall be located within two miles of another existing or permitted utility-scale solar facility unless they are part of a contiguous 'solar farm.'
- Minimum generation5 MW
Minimum generation of 5 megawatts (5 MW).
- Security fencing minimum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
All security fencing shall be a minimum of 6 ft. in height and topped with razor/barbed wire, as appropriate.
- Security fencing placed behind buffer and screened
All security fencing shall be placed behind the buffer and must be screened from view.
- Land disturbance threshold for Special Exception2,500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Any utility-scale solar facility that has 2,500 sq. ft. or more of land disturbance for ground mounted panels shall require a Special Exception.
- Wiring underground except to connect to public utilityPublic utilitiesInfrastructure serving the wider area — substations, pump stations, towers.
Any new electrical transmission lines may be located either above or below ground in a manner to be least intrusive and mitigate their impact to surrounding properties.
- Wildlife corridors required
The utility-scale solar facility shall provide access corridors for wildlife to navigate through the facility, at a number and design based on the Department of Wildlife Resources' guidance and acceptable to the County.
Setback
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from agriculturalAgricultureRaising crops or livestock, generally including the structures that serve them., commercial, or industrial districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2.100 ft
All structures—including fences, panels, and all ancillary equipment/buildings—shall be at least 100 ft. from all agricultural, commercial, or industrial district.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from residential districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2., planned development, or dwelling200 ft
All structures—including fences, panels, and all ancillary equipment/buildings—shall be at least 200 ft. from any residential district, planned development district, or dwelling
Signage
- Maximum sign area40 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Signage shall not exceed 40 sq. ft. displaying the facility name, address, and emergency contact information, unless additional signage is required by National Electric Safety Code.
From the ordinance
Minimum generation of 5 megawatts (5 MW). ... Minimum lot area of 2 acres. ... All structures—including fences, panels, and all ancillary equipment/buildings—shall be at least 200 ft. from any residential district, planned development district, or dwelling; and ... at least 100 ft. from all agricultural, commercial, or industrial district. ... The buffer shall be ... minimum buffer width shall be 100 feet wide. ... During operation, a utility-scale solar facility shall not produce a noise level that exceeds 60 dBA as measured at the property line or 50 dBA as measured at the nearest neighboring dwelling.