Ord 485 Amend Code Regarding Alternative Energy Systems
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 485
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 12, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLES B, D, & E OF THE CITY
CODE OF THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, DAKOTA COUNTY,
CONCERNING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
The City Council of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, does hereby ordain:
Section 1.
Title 12-1B-2 is hereby amended as follows:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM: A ground-source heat pump, wind or solar energy system.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM: A device, set of devices, or structural design feature, whose primary
purpose is to transform solar energy into another form of energy or transferring heat from a collector to
another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING-INTEGRATED: An active system that is an integral part of a
principal or accessory structure, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an
architectural or structural component of the building including, but not limited to, photovoltaic or hot
water solar energy systems contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, PASSIVE: A system that captures solar light or heat without transforming
it to another form of energy or transferring the energy via a heat exchanger.
Section 2.
Title 12-1E-3-B, 12-1F-1-B, 12-1F-2-B, 12-1F-3-B, 12-1F-4-B, 12-1F-5-F, and 12-1G-2 areis hereby
amended as follows:
Solar energy systems that are accessory to the principal use of the land and are designed to supply energy
to on-site uses, as regulated by 12-1D-18 of this chapter.
Section 3.
Title 12-1D-18 is hereby added as follows:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS:
A. Solar Energy Systems: Solar energy systems are a conditional use in all zoning districts subject
to the following regulations:
1. Building Permit: No solar energy system shall be erected, altered, improved,
reconstructed, maintained, or moved without obtaining a building permit.
2. Exemptions: The following systems shall be exempt from the requirements of this
section and shall be regulated as any other building element requiring a building permit:
a. Building -integrated solar energy systems.
b. Passive solar energy systems.
3. Roof -mounted Systems:
a. Height: The maximum height of the system shall not exceed the structure
height requirements in the applicable zoning district.
b. Setbacks: The system shall comply with all building setback requirements in
the applicable zoning district and shall not extend beyond the exterior
perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted.
c. Mounting: The system shall be flush -mounted on pitched roofs or may be
bracket -mounted on flat roofs. Bracket -mounted collectors shall only be
permitted when a determination is provided by a licensed professional qualified
to certify that the underlying roof structure will support loading requirements
and all applicable building standards are satisfied.
d. Maximum Area: The system shall not cover more than eighty (80%) of the roof
section upon which the panels are mounted.
4. Ground -mounted Systems:
a. Height: The maximum height of the system shall not exceed fifteen (15') feet
in height from the average natural grade at the base of the system.
b. Setbacks: The system shall be setback a minimum of fifteen (15') feet from all
property boundary lines and thirty (30') feet from all dwellings located on
adjacent lots, including any appurtenant equipment.
c. Location: The systems shall be limited to rear yards in all zoning districts.
d. Maximum Area: The system shall be limited in size to the maximum
requirement allowed for accessory structures in the applicable zoning district or
no more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the rear yard, whichever is less.
5. Screening: Solar energy systems shall be screened from view to the extent possible
without impacting their function. Systems located within the business and industrial
zoning districts may be required to comply with the standards in section 12 -1D -13-2-C-7
of this article where practical.
6. Color: Solar energy systems shall use colors that blend with the color of the roof material
on which the system is mounted or other structures.
7. Glare: Reflection angles from collector surfaces shall be oriented away from neighboring
windows and minimize glare toward vehicular traffic and adjacent properties. Where
necessary, the City may require additional screening to address glare.
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8. Utility Connection:
a. All utilities shall be installed underground.
b. An exterior utility disconnect switch shall be installed at the electric meter
serving the property.
c. Solar energy systems shall be grounded to protect against natural lightning
strikes in conformance with the National Electrical Code.
d. No solar energy system shall be interconnected with a local electrical utility
company until the company has provided the appropriate authorization to the
city, in compliance with the National Electrical Code.
9. Safety:
a. Standards: Solar energy systems shall meet the minimum standards outlined by
the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the American Society Of
Heating, Refrigerating, And Air -Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), ASTM
International, British Standards Institution (BSI), International Organization
For Standardization (ISO), Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), the Solar Rating
And Certification Corporation (SRCC) or other standards as determined by the
city building official.
b. Certification: Solar energy systems shall be certified by Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc., and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Solar
Rating And Certification Corporation or other body as determined by the
community development director. The city reserves the right to deny a building
permit for proposed solar energy systems deemed to have inadequate
certification.
10. Easements: Solar energy systems shall not encroach upon any public drainage, utility,
roadway, or trail easements.
11. Abandonment: Any solar energy system which remains nonfunctional or inoperable for a
continuous period of twelve (12) months shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be
deemed a public nuisance. The owners shall remove the abandoned system, including the
entire structure and transmission equipment, at their expense after obtaining a demolition
permit.
B. Variance: Any required standard in this section that cannot be met may be considered by a
variance request, in accordance with section 12-1L-5 of this article and considering the following
criteria unique to solar energy systems:
1. That the deviation is required to allow for the improved operation of the solar energy
system;
2. That the solar energy system has a net energy gain;
3. That the solar energy system does not adversely affect solar access to adjacent properties;
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4. That the solar energy system complies with all other engineering, building, safety, and
fire regulations; and
5. That the solar energy system is found to not have adverse impacts on the area, including
the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.
Section 4.
This Ordinance shall be in effect from and after the date of its passage and publication.
Adopted and ordained into an Ordinance this fifteenth day of September, 2015.
CITY COUNCIL
CITY 0 1 + ►' 1 OTA HEIGHTS
ATTEST
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
—Sandra Krebsbach, 'or
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