Page 169 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135
P. 169
DRAFT 135-1. BUilDiNG tYPeS
Accessory Structures
shall not be located in a public utility easement. 1. Output. The system shall produce less than one
8. Appearance. Such system must be gray, natural megawatt of electricity.
green, or beige in color, with the exception of 2. Height. The height of any component of a small
the solar photo-voltaic panels which are usually wind energy system shall not exceed 200 feet, as
black, or system must be screened from view measured from the ground to highest point of
from surrounding residential properties. the blade arc.
9. Materials. Such system shall not include any 3. Permitted Yard Location. Allowed only in the
unfinished lumber. interior side and interior rear yards.
G. Wind - roof-Mounted. Small wind energy systems 4. Front, exterior side, and exterior rear yards
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that are attached to the roof of a building. may be allowed in non-residential districts
1. Quantity. One turbine is allowed for every 750 with a special use permit provided there are
square feet of the combined roof area of all no residential districts within 120 feet of any
structures on a zoning lot. For a pitched roof, property line of the zoning lot where the turbine
each surface of the roof shall be included in the will be located.
roof area calculation. 5. System shall not be visible from the street when
2. Rated Capacity. A maximum rated capacity of 3 installed on any property designated as historic
kilowatts per turbine is allowed. or located within a historic district.
3. Height 6. Setbacks. The base of the system shall be
setback 1.1 times the height of the highest edge
a. The maximum height of 15 feet is measured of the system from all property lines, overhead
from the roof surface on which the system utility line poles, public sidewalks or trails,
is mounted to the highest edge of the and public rights-of-way. Any system or any
system with the exception of any pitches ancillary equipment shall not be located within
10:12 or greater. any required setbacks of the respective zoning
b. The system shall not extend more than 5 district
feet above the highest peak of a pitched 7. Installation. Small wind energy systems shall be
roof. installed only by professional installers certified
4. Location. Roof-mounted wind energy systems to install wind turbines, and only pursuant to
are only permitted on structures that are a manufacturer specifications.
minimum of 4 stories tall or 40 feet. 8. Signs. Signage or writing of any kind is not
5. Roof-mounted wind energy systems must be set permitted on any portion of any wind turbine,
back from the roof or parapet wall one foot for other than required manufacturer plates or
every foot in height of the device above the roof safety labeling.
or parapet wall. 9. Lighting. Small wind energy systems shall provide
6. Roof-mounted wind energy systems shall only be lighting per Federal Aviation Administration
permitted on roofs with a slope of one inch per (FAA) regulations. Lighting shall be red and may
foot or less. not be of the incandescent variety, unless FAA
7. A roof-mounted wind energy system shall not regulations otherwise allow or require.
be visible from the street when installed on any 10. Clearance. Minimum clearance between the
property designated as historic or located within lowest tip of the rotor or blade and the ground is
a historic district. 10 feet.
8. Installation. Roof-mounted wind energy systems 11. Access. Climbing access (rungs or foot pegs)
shall be installed only by professional installers to the tower shall not start until 12 feet above
certified to install wind turbines, and only grade to prevent unauthorized access.
pursuant to manufacturer specifications.
H. Wind - Freestanding. Small wind energy systems
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that stand independent of a building structure.
5 Will replace with existing regulations.
6 Will replace with existing regulations.
CITY OF DES MOINES CHAPTER 135: PLANNING AND DESIGN DRAFT 135-1-77
