22.32.180 - Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS)
Extracted standards
11 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Lighting
- Exterior lighting restriction
Exterior lighting on any WECS or associated structure shall not be allowed except that which is specifically required in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
Noise
- Maximum daytime noise50 dBA
Small, Medium, and Large WECS shall not result in a total noise level that exceeds 50 dBA during the daytime (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
- Maximum nighttime noise45 dBA
and 45 dBA during the nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) as measured at any point along the common property lines of adjacent properties
Other
- Bird and Bat Study required
All WECS projects shall require the submittal of a Bird and Bat Study prepared by a qualified consultant approved by the Marin County Environmental Coordinator
- Climbing apparatus control
If a climbing apparatus is present on a WECS tower, access control to the tower shall be provided by one of the following means: ...
- Decommissioning plan required
Before issuance of a building permit, the owner/operator of any discretionary WECS shall enter into a WECS Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan and Agreement with the County
- Permit requirements
Small and Medium WECS are allowed in all zoning districts, except RF, subject to general requirements. Large WECS allowed only in agricultural districts with min 20 acres.
- Underground wires required
All new electrical wires and transmission lines associated with WECS shall be placed underground except for connection points to a public utility company infrastructure.
Setback
No Small, Medium, or Large WECS or supporting infrastructure shall be allowed within five times the total height or 300 feet, whichever is greater, of a known nest or roost of a listed State or Federal threatened or endangered species
WECS shall be located downslope a minimum of 300 feet horizontally or 100 feet vertically, whichever is more restrictive, from a visually prominent ridgeline
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from stream conservation area
Within 1.5 times the total height or 100 feet, whichever is greater, of a Stream Conservation Area (SCA), a Wetlands Conservation Area (WCA), a State or Federal listed special status species habitat area, a designated archaeological or historical site, or a watercourse, wetland, pond, lake, bayfront area habitat island, or other significant waterbody with suitable avian habitat
From the ordinance
Small and Medium Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) are allowed in all zoning districts, except the RF (Floating Home Marina) zoning district, subject to the following general requirements. Large WECS are allowed only in agricultural zoning districts (A3-A60, ARP, APZ) with a minimum lot size of 20 acres