City of Kimball
Stearns County
State of Minnesota
Resolution No. 08062018C5
Resolution enacting an Ordinance to Add Section 1136 titled Solar Energy Systems
WHEREAS, the City Council met on Monday, August 6, 2018, to enact an Ordinance to add Section 1136 titled Solar Energy Systems to read as follows:
Section 1136.01: The purpose of this Section is to set forth standards for solar energy systems in the City of Kimball.
Section 1136.02: Solar Farms.
(1) Solar Farms, which as defined by this Ordinance to include Community Solar Gardens, are not a permitted use in any zoning district in the City of Kimball.
Section 1136.03 Standards for Solar Energy Systems, Accessory. Solar Energy Systems, Accessory are a permitted conditional use in all zoning districts, and are accordingly subject to Section 1015 of this Ordinance and the following standards:
(1) Accessory building limit. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall count as an accessory building for the purpose of meeting the limits on the number of accessory structures allowed per lot and the coverage limits, as set forth in the Kimball City Code.
(2) Height. Active solar systems are subject to the following height requirements:
(A) Building or roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed the maximum allowed height in any zoning district. For purposes of height measurement, solar energy systems other than building-integrated systems shall be considered to be mechanical devices and are restricted consistent with other building-mounted mechanical devices for the zoning district in which the system is being installed.
(B) Ground or pole-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt. (C) Location within Lot. Solar systems must meet the accessory structure setback for the zoning district.
1. Roof-mounted Solar Energy Systems. In addition to the building setback, the collector surface and mounting devices for roof-mounted solar systems that are parallel to the roof surface shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted or built. The collector and racking for roof-mounted systems that have a greater pitch than the roof surface shall be set back from all roof edges by at least two (2) feet. Exterior piping for solar hot water systems shall be allowed to extend beyond the perimeter of the building on a side yard exposure.
2. Ground-mounted Solar Energy Systems. Ground-mounted solar energy systems may not extend into the side-year or rear setback when oriented at minimum design tilt.
(D) Stormwater management shall meet the requirements of Section 7.25 of Stearns County Planning and Zoning Ordinance 439.
(E) Erosion and sediment control shall meet the requirements of Section 7.10 of Stearns County Planning and Zoning Ordinance 439.
(F) Approved Solar Components. Electric solar energy system components must have documentation that the products have been independently tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
(G) Compliance with State Electric Code. All photovoltaic systems shall comply with the Minnesota State Electric Code.
(H) Utility Notification. No grid-intertie photovoltaic systems shall be installed until evidence has been given to the City that the owner has notified the utility company of the customer’s intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator. Off-grid systems are exempt from this requirement.
The Ordinance was adopted by the City Council of Kimball on the 6th day of August, 2018 and shall be effective upon publication.
City of Kimball
By Tammy Konz,
Mayor
By Trista A Kramer,
Deputy Clerk
Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018.