§ 8.09. Residential and Small Wind Energy Systems.

8.09.01

Purpose. It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the safe, effective and efficient use of small wind energy systems installed to reduce the on-site consumption of utility supplied electricity and that such systems are appropriately sited within Bellevue's zoning jurisdiction.

8.09.02  

Definitions. The following are defined for the specific use of this section. Additional definitions pertaining to wind energy systems are found in Section 8.16.02 herein:

1.

Building-Mounted Wind Turbine (BMWT) a wind energy conversion system consisting of a wind turbine mounting system and associated control or conversion electronics and which is mounted to a building and intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power.

2.

Decibel (db): The measurement of a sound pressure relative to the logarithmic conversion of the sound pressure reference level often set as 0 dbA. In general, this means the quietest sound we can hear is near 0 dbA and the loudest we can hear without pain is near 120 dbA. Most sounds in the typical day-to-day environment range from 30 dbA to 100 dbA. Normal speech at 3 feet averages about 65 dbA.

3.

FAA: Federal Aviation Administration.

4.

Micro-Wind Energy Conversion System shall mean a Wind Energy Conversion System of 1 kW nameplate generating capacity or less and utilizing supporting towers of 40 feet or less.

5.

Residential Wind Energy Conversion System (RWECS): a wind energy conversion system consisting of a wind turbine, tower, and associated control or conversion electronics, and which is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power. A system is considered a residential wind energy system only if it supplies electrical power solely for on-site use, except that when a parcel on which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company, excess electrical power generated and not presently needed for on-site use may be used by the utility company.

6.

Small Wind Energy Conversion System (SWECS): a wind energy conversion system consisting of a wind turbine, a tower, and associated control or conversion electronics, and which will be used primarily to reduce on-site consumption of utility power. Such system has a rated capacity of not more than 100 kW and which is intended to primarily reduce on- site consumption of utility power.

7.

Total Height shall mean the highest point, above ground level, reached by a rotor tip or any other part of the Wind Energy Conversion System.

8.

Tower Height shall mean the height above grade of the first fixed portion of the tower, excluding the wind turbine itself.

8.09.03

Requirements for Residential Wind Energy Conversion System (RWECS). Residential wind energy systems shall be permitted within any district where the use is listed and allowed. Certain requirements as set forth below shall be met. See Section 8.10.07 for regulations on building mounted wind turbines.

1.

Wind energy towers shall to the extent possible blend into the surrounding environment and architecture, including painting to reduce visual obtrusiveness. The City Planner may require a photo of an RWECS system of the same model that is the subject of the landowner's application adjacent to a building or some other object illustrating scale (e.g., manufacturer's photo).

2.

RWECS shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA or another appropriate authority.

3.

No tower should have any sign, writing, or picture that may be construed as advertising.

4.

RWECS shall not exceed 60 dBA, as measured at the closest property line. The level, however, may be exceeded during short-term events such as utility outages and/or severe windstorms.

5.

The minimum distance between the ground and any protruding blades utilized on an RWECS shall be 20 feet, as measured at the lowest point on the arc of the rotor. The supporting tower shall be secured to prevent unauthorized climbing.

6.

Compliance with FAA regulations: An RWECS must comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, including any necessary approvals for installations close to airports.

7.

Compliance with the International Building Code: Building permit applications for an RWECS shall be accompanied by standard drawings of the wind turbine structure, including the tower base, and footings. Compliance with National Electric Code: Building permit applications for an RWECS shall be accompanied by a line drawing of the electrical components in sufficient detail to allow for a determination that the manner of installation conforms to the National Electric Code. This information may be supplied by the manufacturer.

8.

Setbacks.

a.

RWECS shall comply with the setback requirements of the underlying zoning district.

b.

No part of the wind system structure, excluding guy-wire anchors, may extend closer than 10 feet to the property lines of the installation site.

9.

Tower Height. The applicant shall provide evidence that the proposed height of the RWECS does not exceed the height recommended by the manufacturer or distributor of the system.

a.

The maximum tower height is 80 feet, unless a greater restriction is imposed by FAA regulations.

8.09.04

Requirements for Small Wind Energy Conversion System (SWECS). Small wind energy systems shall be permitted within any district where the use is listed and allowed. Certain requirements as set forth below shall be met. See Section 8.10.07 for regulations on building mounted wind turbines.

1.

Small wind energy towers shall maintain a gaivanized steel finish, unless FAA standards require otherwise, or if the owner is attempting to match the finish on the tower to the surrounding environment and architecture, in which case it may be painted to reduce visual obtrusiveness. The City Planner may require a photo of an SWECS system of the same model that is the subject of the landowner's application adjacent to a building or some other object illustrating scale (e.g., manufacturer's photo).

2.

SWECS shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA or another appropriate authority.

3.

No tower should have any sign, writing, or picture that may be construed as advertising.

4.

SWECS shall not exceed 60 dBA, as measured at the closest property line. The level, however, may be exceeded during short-term events such as utility outages and/or severe windstorms.

5.

The minimum distance between the ground and any protruding blades utilized on an SWECS shall be 20 feet, as measured at the lowest point on the arc of the rotor. The supporting tower shall be secured to prevent unauthorized climbing.

6.

CCompliance with FAA regulations: An SWECS must comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, including any necessary approvals for installations close to airports.

7.

Compliance with the International Building Code: Building permit applications for an SWECS shall be accompanied by standard drawings of the wind turbine structure, including the tower base, and footings. Compliance with National Electric Code: Building permit applications for an SWECS shall be accompanied by a line drawing of the electrical components in sufficient detail to allow for a determination that the manner of installation conforms to the National Electric Code. This information may be supplied by the manufacturer.

8.

Setbacks.

a.

SWECS shall comply with the setbacks of the underlying zoning district.

b.

No part of the wind system structure, excluding guy-wire anchors, may extend closer than 10 feet to the property lines of the installation site.

9.

Tower Height. The applicant shall provide evidence that the proposed height of the SWECS does not exceed the height recommended by the manufacturer or distributor of the system.

a.

The maximum tower height is 120 feet, unless a greater restriction is imposed by FAA regulations.

(Ord. No. 3643, § 1(8.09), 11-14-2011)