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Page 1 <br />Sec. 30-805. - Solar energy systems. <br />(a) Definitions . The definitions in section 30-1 are applicable in this section. <br />(b) Standards . <br />(1) Height . <br />a. On pitched roofs, no portion of a flush-mounted or bracket-mounted panel in any position <br />shall extend beyond six inches above the roof peak of the roof plane they are attached to <br />nor exceed the maximum height requirements in that applicable zoning district. <br />b. On flat roofs, no portion of a flush mounted or bracket mounted panel in any position, shall <br />exceed a height of five feet above the flat roof they are attached to nor exceed the <br />maximum height requirements in that applicable zoning district. <br />c. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum accessory structure <br />height in any zoning district when oriented at maximum tilt. <br />(2) Setbacks . <br />a. Roof-mounted solar energy systems . <br />1. Shall comply with all building setbacks in the applicable zoning districts. <br />2. Shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the roof on which the system is <br />mounted. <br />3. Unless required by the fire department, there are no setbacks requirements from the <br />exterior perimeters and/or peaks of a roofs. <br />4. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the <br />perimeter of the building, no more than two feet, in side and rear yards only. <br />b. Ground-mounted solar energy systems . <br />1. Shall be treated as an accessory structure and shall comply with all accessory <br />structure setbacks in the applicable zoning district. <br />2. Shall not extend into the side-yard or rear setback when oriented in any position. <br />3. For residential systems located within the urban service district, systems shall be <br />located in the rear and side yards only. <br />(3) Coverage . <br />a. All solar energy systems shall comply with Minn. Stats. § 1305.3113. <br />b. For all applications, fire department review is required. <br />(4) Glare . Solar systems shall be designed and located in order to prevent reflective glare toward <br />any inhabited buildings on adjacent properties, as well as adjacent street rights-of-way and <br />parks to the fullest possible extent. When necessary, screening may be required to prevent <br />glare. <br />a. Concentrated solar systems shall conduct a glare study to identify the impacts of the <br />system on occupied buildings and rights-of-way and parks within a half-mile of the project <br />boundary. The glare study shall also address aviation impacts. <br />(5) Exemption . Building integrated solar energy systems are exempt from the requirements of this <br />section and shall be regulated by the building code. <br />(c) Permits and notifications . <br />(1) Permits . The erection, alteration, improvement, reconstruction, and relocation of a solar energy <br />system requires a building permit from the city.