Bill No 11 13

Introduced May 14 2013

By Commissioner LinfanteEnacted June 11 2013

MT LEBANON PENNSYLVANIA

ORDINANCE NO 3236

An Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Solar Photovoltaic Systems

WHEREAS the Municipalities Planning Code 53 PS 10101 et seq authorizes theMunicipality of Mt Lebanon to regulate zoning and land use in the Municipality and

WHEREAS the Commission of the Municipality of Mt Lebanon desires to amend theZoning Ordinance to insert specific regulations and definitions for solar photovoltaic systems

NOW THEREFORE Mt Lebanon Pennsylvania hereby ordains

SECTION 1 Section 803 of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by adding thefollowing new Section 8037

8037 Solar Photovoltaic Systems

80371 Solar Photovoltaic Systems are permitted as an accessory use in all ZoningDistricts

80372 Definitions The following definitions apply to this section

Alley A public or private way permanently reserved as a secondary means ofaccess to abutting property

Array Any number of electrically connected photovoltaic PV modulesproviding a single electrical output

BuildingIntegrated System A solar photovoltaic system that is constructed as anintegral part of a principal or accessory building or structure and where the buildingintegrated system features maintain a uniform profile or surface of vertical walls windowopenings and roofing Such a system is used in lieu of a separate mechanical devicereplacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building orstructure that appends or interrupts the uniform surfaces ofwalls window openings androofing A buildingintegrated system may occur within vertical facades replacing viewglass spandrel glass or other facade material into semitransparent skylight systems into

roofing systems replacing traditional roofing materials or other building or structureenvelope systems

Building Mounted System A solar photovoltaic system attached to any part ortype of roof on a building or structure that has an occupancy permit on file with theMunicipality and that is either the principal structure or an accessory structure on arecorded parcel This system also includes any solarbased architectural elements andBuilding Integrated Systems

Cell The smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity whenexposed to light

Drip line The outermost edge of a roof including eaves overhangs and gutters

Ground Mounted System A solar photovoltaic system mounted on a structurepole or series of poles constructed specifically to support the photovoltaic system and notattached to any other structure A Ground Mounted System that is incidental in size tothe overall pole or structure and provides energy only to such structure or pole is exemptfrom this Ordinance

HVAC Equipment used to heat cool or ventilate a structure

Impervious Surface A surface area which has been compacted or covered with alayer ofmaterial so that it is resistant to infiltration by water It includes semi pervioussurfaces such as compacted clayey soils as well as most conventionally surfaced streetsroofs sidewalks parking lots and other similar surfaces Net increase of impervioussurface refers to the difference between the existing impervious coverage and the totalimpervious surface proposed

Interconnection The technical and practical link between the solar generator andthe grid providing electricity to the greater community

Kilowatt kW A unit of electrical power equal to 1000 Watts which constitutesthe basic unit of electrical demand A watt is a metric measurement of power notenergy and is the rate not the duration at which electricity is used 1000 kW is equalto 1 megawatt MW

Module A module is the smallest protected assembly of interconnected PV cells

Net Metering Agreement An agreement with a local electric utility that allowscustomers to receive a credit for surplus electricity generated by certain renewable energysystems

Photovoltaic PV A semiconductor based device that converts light directly intoelectricity

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Solarbased Architectural Element Structuralarchitectural element that providesprotection from weather that includes awnings canopies porches or sunshades and that isconstructed with the primary covering consisting of solar PV modules and may or maynot include additional solar PV related equipment

Solar Photovoltaic PV Related Equipment Items including a solar photovoltaiccell panel or array lines mounting brackets framing and foundations used for orintended to be used for collection of solar energy

Solar Photovoltaic PV System A solar collection system consisting of one ormore buildingandor groundmounted systems Such a system includes all solarphotovoltaic cells panels or arrays and solar related equipment that rely upon solarradiation as an energy source for collection inversion storage and distribution of solarenergy for electricity generation A solar PV system is a generation system with anameplate capacity of not greater than 50 kilowatts if installed at a residential service ornot larger than3000 kilowatts at other customer service locations and does not produceexcess onsite energy greater than currently permitted by Pennsylvania Public UtilityCommission guidelines

Tracking System A number ofphotovoltaic modules mounted such that theytrack the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize energy production either witha singleaxis or dualaxis mechanism

Unregulated Yard Area Area not within a building and not in a defined yardarea

80373 Requirements A Solar Photovoltaic System shall be subject to thefollowing requirements

803731 Applicability

8037311 This ordinance applies to buildingmounted andgroundmounted systems installed and constructed after the effective dateof this ordinance

8037312 Solar PV systems constructed prior to the effectivedate of this Ordinance are not required to meet the requirements of thisOrdinance

8037313 Any upgrade modification or structural change thatmaterially alters the size or placement of an existing solar PV system shallcomply with the provisions of this ordinance

803732 Location Within a Lot

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8037321 Buildingmounted systems are permitted to face anyrear side and front yard or any unregulated yard area as defined in Section80372of this Ordinance Buildingmounted systems may only bemounted on lawfully permitted principal or accessory structures

8037322 Ground mounted systems are permitted based onthe requirements for accessory uses or structures in the propertyszoningdistrict

803733 Design and Installation Standards

8037331 The solar PV system must be constructed to complywith the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code UCC Act 45 of1999 as amended and any regulations adopted by the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Labor and Industry as they relate to the UCC except wherean applicable industry standard has been approved by the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Labor and Industry under its regulatory authority

8037332 All wiring must comply with the National ElectricalCode most recent edition as amended and adopted by the Commonwealthof Pennsylvania For groundmounted systems all exterior electrical linesmust be buried below the surface of the ground where possible or beplaced in conduit

8037333 The solar PV system must be constructed to complywith the most recent fire code as amended and adopted by theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania

803734 Setback Requirements

Ground mounted systems Ground mounted systems are subject tothe accessory use or structure yard requirements in the zoning district inwhich the system is to be constructed The required yards are measuredfrom the lot line to the nearest part of the system No part of the groundmounted system shall extend into the required yard due to a trackingsystem or other adjustment of solar PV related equipment or parts

803735 Height Restrictions

8037351 Notwithstanding the height limitations of the zoningdistrict

a For a buildingmounted system installed on a slopedroof that faces the front yard of a lot the system must be installed atthe same angle as the roof on which it is installed with a maximum

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distance measured perpendicular to the roof of eighteen 18inches between the roof and highest edge or surface of the system

b For a building mounted system installed on a slopedroof the highest point of the system shall not exceed the highestpoint of the roof to which it is attached

8037352 Notwithstanding the height limitations of the zoningdistrict

a For a building mounted system installed on a flatroof the highest point of the system shall be permitted to extendup to six 6 feet above the roof to which it is attached

8037353 Ground mounted systems may not exceed thepermitted height of accessory structures in the zoning district where thesolar PV system is to be installed

803736 Screening and Visibility

8037361 Building mounted systems on a sloped roof shallnot be required to be screened

8037362 Building mounted systems mounted on a flat roofshall not be visible from the public rightofway within a forty 40 footradius of the property exclusive of an alley as defined by this Ordinanceat a level of five 5 feet from the ground in a similar manner as to anyother rooftop HVAC or mechanical equipment This can be accomplishedwith architectural screening such as a building parapet or by setting thesystem back from the roof edge in such a manner that the solar PV systemis not visible from the public rightofway within a forty 40 foot radiuswhen measured at a distance of five 5 feet from the ground

803737 Impervious Lot Coverage Restrictions

The surface area of any ground mounted system regardless of themounted angle of any portion of the system is considered impervioussurface and shall be calculated as part of the property lot coveragelimitations for the zoning district If the groundmounted system ismounted above existing impervious surface it shall not be calculated aspart of the property lot coverage limitations for the zoning district

803738 Non Conformance

8037381 Buildingmounted systems

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a If a buildingmounted system is to be installed onany building or structure that is non conforming because its heightviolates the height restrictions of the zoning district in which it islocated the building mounted system shall be permitted so long asthe building mounted system does not extend above the peak orhighest point of the roof to which it is mounted and so long as itcomplies with the other provisions of this Ordinance

b If a buildingmounted system is to be installed on abuilding or structure on a non conforming lot that does not meetthe minimum setbacks required andor exceeds the lot coveragelimits for the zoning district in which it is located a buildingmounted system shall be permitted so long as there is no expansionof any setback or lot coverage non conformity and so long as itcomplies with the other provisions of this Ordinance

8037382 Ground mounted systems

If a groundmounted system is to be installed on a lot containing astructure that is non conforming because the required minimum setbacksare exceeded the proposed system shall be permitted so long as thesystem does not encroach into the established setback for the lot If agroundmounted system is to be installed on a lot that is non conformingbecause it violates zoning district requirements other than setbacks then avariance must be obtained for the proposed installation

803739 Signage andor Graphic Content

No signage or graphic content may be displayed on the solar PVsystem except the manufacturersbadge safety information and equipmentspecification information Said information shall be depicted within anarea no more than thirtysix 36 square inches in size

8037310 Inspection Safety and Removal

80373101 The Municipality reserves the right to inspect asolar PV system for building or fire code compliance and safety

80373102 In addition to the remedies available under this

Zoning Ordinance if upon inspection the Municipality determines that afire code or building code violation exists or that the system otherwiseposes a safety hazard to persons or property the Municipality may orderthe ownerproperty ownerland ownerfacility owneroperator to repair orremove the system within a reasonable time Such an order shall be inwriting shall offer the option to repair shall specify the code violation orsafety hazard found and shall notify the ownerproperty ownerland

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ownerfacility owneroperator of his or her right to appeal suchdetermination

80373103 If an ownerproperty ownerland ownerfacilityowneroperator fails to repair or remove a solar PV system as ordered andany appeal rights have been exhausted the Municipality may enter thestructureproperty remove the system and charge the ownerpropertyownerland ownerfacility owneroperator for all costs and expenses ofremoval including reasonable attorneysfees or pursue other legal actionto have the system removed at the ownerproperty ownerlandownerfacility owneroperatorsexpense

80373104 In addition to any other available remedies anyunpaid costs resulting from the Municipalitysremoval of a vacatedabandoned or decommissioned solar PV system shall constitute a lienupon the property against which the costs were charged Legal counsel ofthe Municipality shall institute appropriate action for the recovery of suchcost plus attorneysfees including but not limited to filing of municipalclaims pursuant to 53 PS 7107 et seq for the cost of such work 6percent interest per annum plus a penalty of 5 percent of the amount dueplus attorneysfees and costs incurred by the Municipality in connectionwith the removal work and the filing of the Municipality claim

8037311 Permit Requirements

Before any construction or installation on any solar PV systemshall commence a permit issued by Municipality of Mt Lebanon shall beobtained to document compliance with this Ordinance The commissionmay establish a fee for said permit by Resolution

ORDAINED AND ENACTED into an Ordinance and passed by the Commission of MtLebanon Pennsylvania on this 11th day of tune 2013

MT LEBANON PENNSYLVANIA

President

Mt Lebanon Commission

ATTEST

NhgMunicipal Seal

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