Solar Energy

The city's zoning code permits primary-use solar energy systems as a conditional use in the Rural Residential district (§6.2) and the Heavy Commercial and Industrial districts (§7.2). It permits solar panels as accessory rooftop or freestanding rear yard structures for one- and two-family residential uses, as accessory rooftop structures for multifamily residential and institutional uses in residential zones, and as accessory rooftop or freestanding screened structures in commercial and industrial districts (§10.4.22). Solar collectors are a permitted encroachment in rear yards (§10.5.1). The code provides design standards for canopies, carports, sheds, and similar structures in commercial and industrial districts, which includes solar panel canopies (§12.3.6.8, §12.4.5.8).