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Subjects › Planning › Energy Resources › Alternative Energy Facilities Siting, Planning and Zoning
Published 04/2010

Alternative Energy Facilities - Siting, Planning and Zoning

Contents

About Land Use Provisions for Alternative Energy

As part of the emphasis on green power, there is a growing movement to develop small (sometimes on-site) alternative energy facilities, including wind and solar power generation. Local governments are developing or updating their policies and regulations for small wind and solar facilities. Some jurisdictions have developed model alternative energy facility ordinances. If you are aware of additional provisions, please contact the page editor.

Alternative Energy Provisions - Cities and Towns

  • Bainbridge Island
    • Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Title 18 (Adobe Acrobat Document) – Zoning Final Draft, Jan. 2010 - Use Table includes small wind generator and solar panel, and specific use standards (See pp. 30, 34 46, & 54)
    • Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Section 18.12.070 - Height Limitations - height of building can be increased if it does not impact solar access of neighboring property
  • Burlington Municipal Code Section 17.48.110 - Solar Access
  • Issaquah
    • Issaquah Municipal Code Section 18.02.030 - Definitions - Alternative energy system (wind) and (solar)
    • Issaquah Municipal Code Section 18.07.137(D) - Accessory Structures - Alternative Energy Systems - approval criteria for geothermal and wind systems
    • Issaquah Municipal Code Section 18.07.060(4)(i) - Development Standards Applicable to All Districts - Building Height - height restrictions related to solar facilities
    • Issaquah Municipal Code Section 18.06.130 - Table of Permitted Land Uses - Accessory and Temporary Uses
  • Kennewick Municipal Code Ch. 15.64 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Solar Energy Code
  • Kent Municipal Code Section 15.08.230 - .234 - Solar Access
  • Lynnwood Municipal Code Section 21.42.400(A) - Accessory Structures and Uses - Solar Energy Systems
  • Seattle
    • Seattle Council Poised to Approve Rooftop Wind-Energy, Seattle Times, March 14, 2009
    • Seattle Ordinance Number: 122935 - to update and clarify use provisions and development standards, provide new height limit exceptions, revise landscaping requirements including the Green Factor, clarify and update parking requirements, and correct technical errors, passed March 16, 2009 - See sections on wind-driven power generators
    • Seattle - Sun Chart: Determination of Solar Exposure, Seattle DCLU Client Assistance Memo 417 (Adobe Acrobat Document), May 2005
    • Seattle Department of Planning and Development Client Assistance Memo CAM 420 (Adobe Acrobat Document), Solar Energy Systems - Green Building CAM, August 2009
  • Spokane Valley Municipal Code Section 19.120.010 - Permitted Accessory Uses - Appendix A - Definitions (“Tower, wind turbine support”) and referenced tower provisions Section 19.40.110(B)

Alternative Energy Provisions - Counties

  • Benton County
    • Benton County Code Section 11.04.020 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Definitions for solar power generator and wind turbine
    • Benton County Code Section 11.18.050(25) (Adobe Acrobat Document) -Wind turbine for private use is allowable use
    • Benton County Code Section 11.18.070 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Larger wind turbines may be allowed as conditional use
    • Benton County Ordinance No. 373 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Amending zoning provisions for solar energy and wind turbines, 2001
  • Douglas County
    • Comprehensive Plan Utilities Element, Ch. 8 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Several private utilities and providers have been investigating alternative sources of energy in the County, which have included wind, solar and petroleum based facilities. In order to prepare for the future of Douglas County it is important to recognize that other power generating facilities may locate here in the future. (Last Amended 3-06)
    • Douglas County Code Ch. 18.80 - Conditional Use
      • Draft Amendments (Adobe Acrobat Document) to Conditional Use Provisions for Power Generation Facilities (not enacted)
  • Kittitas County
    • Kittitas County Code Ch. 17.61 - Utilities
    • Kittitas County Code Ch. 17.61 A - Wind Farm Resource Overlay Zone
  • Klickitat County
  • San Juan County
    • San Juan County Comprehensive Plan, Utilities Element(Adobe Acrobat Document), See 8.3A - Electricity
    • San Juan County Code Section 18.30.430 - Table 3.10 - See note 10 - Home energy generation facilities exempted
    • Waldron Island Sub Area Plan, Section 16.36.060 B - Utilities and Power Generation
  • Skagit County Comprehensive Plan, Ch 10 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Utilities Element - See Objective 7 Encourage research and implementation of alternative energy resources and encourage Conservation of energy resources.
  • Whatcom County
  • Whitman County Code Chapter 19.62 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Small Wind Energy Generators.

Alternative Energy Land Use Provisions - Model Provisions