Dimensional standards
Height & bulk
Servicing
- Geographic extent
- Applicable in all zones where WECS are allowed or allowed subject to a conditional useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. permit.
Uses
Permitted by right1
Extracted standards
17 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Noise
- Maximum noise level at nearest dwelling60 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
- Minimum climbing apparatus heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for horizontal axis12 ft
By limiting tower climbing apparatus to no lower than 12 feet from the ground for horizontal axis WECS
- Minimum climbing apparatus heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for vertical axis10 ft
and 10 feet for vertical axis WECS.
- Electrical box locked
The electrical box or any hazardous components of the WECS within ground reach shall be securely locked.
- Minimum fence/wall heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for tower access6 ft
By means of a fence or wall not less than 6 feet in height with locking gates enclosing the yard where the tower is located
- 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).
- Guy wire anchor points 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 for 60 days60 days
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.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from lot line equal to tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
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.
- 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
- 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
and tower heights of not more than 80 feet shall be allowed on parcels of 5 acres or more
- 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
- Minimum blade heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for vertical axis10 ft
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.
- 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.
- Warning sign at base
At least one sign shall be posted at the base of the tower warning of electrical shock or high voltage.
From the ordinance
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... 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.