Chapter 21.58 Small Wind Energy Systems

Sections:

21.58.010 Purpose and Application.
21.58.020 Installation requirements.
21.58.030 Operating standards.

21.58.010 Purpose and Application. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum health and safety standards for small wind energy systems. It applies to small wind energy systems in all districts where they are allowed as permitted or conditional uses. (Ord. 09-34(A) §21, 2009.)

21.58.020 Installation requirements. a. The wind turbine of a small wind energy system may be mounted on a building or a wind energy system tower.
b. The surfaces of all components of small wind energy system components that are visible when the small wind energy system is in operation shall be painted a non-reflective, neutral color.
c. A zoning permit application for a small wind energy system shall include the following information:
1. A level one site plan that shows the location of the small wind energy system.
2. Specifications for the small wind energy system including manufacturer make and model, an illustration or picture of the turbine unit, maximum rated power output, blade diameter, total height, tower color and if proposed, the location of ladders and/or climbing pegs.
3. Tower foundation blueprints or drawings.
4. Noise decibel data prepared by the wind turbine manufacturer or qualified engineer indicating noise decibel level at the property line nearest to the location of the small wind energy system.
5. Evidence of compliance with, or exemption from, Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
6. Evidence that the small wind energy system complies with current Underwriters Laboratories standards for local utility connections.
d. Dimensional Requirements
1. A small wind energy system may be installed only on a lot having an area not less than one acre.
2. The distance from a small wind energy system to the closest property line may not be less than 1.1 times its total height.
3. All guy wires, cables and other accessory support structures for a small wind energy system must be on the same lot as the small wind energy system, but may be located within required setback areas, and shall be properly jacketed to ensure visible safety standards. (Ord. 09-34(A) §21, 2009.)

21.58.030 Operation standards. a. Electrical standards.
1. A small wind energy system shall comply with the National Electric Code.
2. All electric transmission wires connected to a small wind energy system must be underground, or within the building on which the small wind energy system is mounted.
3. A small wind energy system shall not interfere with television, microwave, navigational or radio reception.
b. Noise and vibration from a small wind energy system shall not exceed the levels permitted in HCC 21.59.010(b) and (c), except during short term events such as utility outages and severe wind storms.
c. Tower Safety.
1. The lowest part of a climbing apparatus that provides access to a wind turbine shall be at least 12 feet above the ground, and the wind energy system tower or building on which the wind turbine is mounted shall have no handholds or footholds below the climbing apparatus.
2. The lowest point through which a wind turbine blade rotates must be at least 20 feet above the ground.
d. Lighting. Except for switch type lighting, no artificial lighting shall be mounted on a small wind energy system, and a small wind energy system shall not be illuminated with artificial lighting, except when required by the Federal Aviation Administration and approved by conditional use permit.
e. Signs. No sign, flag or pennant may be attached to a small wind energy system except for the following:
1. A sign identifying the manufacturer or installer of the small wind energy system.
2. Signs warning of dangers associated with the small wind energy system.
f. No person may operate a small wind energy system that the City Engineer has found to be unsafe or not in compliance with applicable law until the unsafe condition or noncompliance has been corrected. If corrective action is not taken within six months after notice of the City Engineer’s finding, the small wind energy system shall be removed.
g. The city may abate as a nuisance under HCC 21.90.070 a small wind energy system that is not operational for a period of at least 12 consecutive months. (Ord. 09-34(A) §21, 2009.)