Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
19 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Noise
- Maximum noise level60 dBA
Decibel levels for the WECS shall not exceed 60 decibels (dBA) as measured at the closest neighboring inhabited dwelling, except during short-term events such as utility outages and severe wind storms.
Other
- Electrical safety
The electrical box or any hazardous components of the WECS within ground reach shall be securely locked.
- FAA compliance required
The system shall comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements, including Subpart B (commencing with Section 77.11) of Part 77 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding installations close to airports, and the State Aeronautics Act.
- Ground-mounted WECS prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. in front/side yards
Ground-mounted WECS shall not be permitted in required front or side yards (setbacks). WECS in rear yards shall not be counted against lot coverage.
- Guy wires within property
For towers which require guy wires, anchor points for guy wires shall be located within property lines and not on or across any above ground electric transmission or distribution line.
- Removal if inoperable
Any WECS which ceases to be operable for a period of 60 days shall be removed within 6 months of the date it became inoperable.
- Insurance required
Every WECS shall be insured for an amount sufficient to protect neighboring property owners in the event of mechanical or structural failures.
- Manual shutdown required
The WECS shall have a manually operable method that assures WECS shutdown.
- Manufacturer documentation required
Documentation shall be provided from the WECS manufacturer or a recognized testing facility indicating that the system will operate safely in Lancaster, California, atmospheric conditions.
- Maximum tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. on 1-5 acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.65 ft
Tower heights of not more than 65 feet shall be allowed on parcels between one and 5 acres and tower heights of not more than 80 feet shall be allowed on parcels of 5 acres or more, provided that the application includes evidence that the proposed height does not exceed the height recommended by the manufacturer or distributor of the system.
- Maximum tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. on 5+ acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.80 ft
Tower heights of not more than 65 feet shall be allowed on parcels between one and 5 acres and tower heights of not more than 80 feet shall be allowed on parcels of 5 acres or more, provided that the application includes evidence that the proposed height does not exceed the height recommended by the manufacturer or distributor of the system.
- Minimum blade heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for horizontal axis15 ft
The minimum distance between the ground and any protruding blades utilized on a WECS shall be 15 feet for horizontal axis WECS and 10 feet for any vertical axis WECS as measured to the lowest point of blade travel/motion.
- Minimum blade heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for vertical axis10 ft
The minimum distance between the ground and any protruding blades utilized on a WECS shall be 15 feet for horizontal axis WECS and 10 feet for any vertical axis WECS as measured to the lowest point of blade travel/motion.
- Notice to property owners within 300 ft300 ft
Notice of an application for installation of a WECS shall be provided to property owners within 300 feet of the property on which the system is to be located.
- Automatic overspeed control required
Any WECS shall have an automatic overspeed control which shall be designed to protect the system from sustaining structural failure, such as thrown blades and the overturning or breaking of towers due to an uncontrolled condition brought on by abnormally high winds.
- SCE notification required
For utility interconnected WECS, Southern California Edison (SCE) shall be notified in writing of any proposed connection and SCE shall give written approval to such interconnection prior to installation.
If the structural design is approved by the city engineer as to the safety and stability, the WECS shall not be erected nearer to any lot line than the tower height.
- Tower access restriction
Climbing access to the ground-mounted WECS tower shall be limited by fence/wall not less than 6 feet in height with locking gates, or by limiting tower climbing apparatus to no lower than 12 feet from the ground for horizontal axis WECS and 10 feet for vertical axis WECS.
Signage
- Warning sign required
At least one sign shall be posted at the base of the tower warning of electrical shock or high voltage.
From the ordinance
The following standards shall apply to all wind energy conversion systems: ...