2013 Planning Commission Packets

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DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND INSPECTIONS CITY OF SAINT PAUL 375dackson Street, Suite 220 Telephone: 651-266-9090 Christopher B. Coleman, Mayor Saint Paid, MN 55101-1806 Pacsinnle: 651-266-9124 Web: umm.stpauLgovIdsi Design Standards and Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems Design of solar energy systems is subject to the following Saint Paul standards and guidelines: ❑ Specific dimensional standards under Legislative Code § 65.921, Solar energy system. ❑ General city-wide design standards for rooftop equipment under Leg. Code § 63.110(e). ❑ Design review by the Heritage Preservation Commission under Legislative Code § 73.06 for locations within designated historic sites and districts. These standards are detailed below. The most restrictive standard governs. Solar energy systems are also subject to building code requirements, and a building permit is required. ❑ Specific Dimensional Standards for Solar Energy Systems Legislative Code § 65.921, Solar energy system, includes the following standards and conditions: (a) Building mounted systems shall be subject to the dimensional standards that apply to the building, provided that the height standards for building mounted systems in residential districts shall be as follows: (1) The system shall extend no more than three (3).feet above the srnface of a roofat its exterior perimeter, and shall be set back at least one (1) foot from the exterior perimeter for every additional foot that the systene extends above the height of the roof at its exterior perimeter. (2) The systein may not extend more than three (3) feet above the ridge ofa gable, gambrel, hip or mansard roof. For syste is mounted on a commercial or industrial building ivithin five (5) feet ofa commercial or industrial building on an adjoining lot, a system that does not conform to the height standards that apply to the building may extend up to fifteen (15) feet above the surface of a flat roof along the conunon property line. (b) Freestanding systems shall be treated as accessory huildings for the purpose ofnoximunr height, maxinnun lot area coverage, and location requirements; provided that freestanding systenes in residential districts shall not exceedfifteen (15) feet in height within ten (10) feet ofa parkway or an interior property line, exceptfor a property line along an alley, with additional height equal to additioiial setbackfrom prope,ty lines pe initted to a maxi n an height oftiventy-five (25) feet. height standard for residential building mounted solar energy systems n fclt abovendge \ (3 feet 1 above roof..: 1 perimet r 6/20/2012 Page t of 4