Friday, January 30, 2009
Solar Panels and Zoning
Before you order your do-it-yourself home solar energy system and start building your own solar
panels, you might want to save yourself a big headache (and several thousand dollars) by looking
into your local zoning. If you live on acreage in an unincorporated area, you might still be
subject to some state restrictions. So it is always wise do ask some questions and do some research
at the beginning of your project's planning process (instead of waiting until the money has been
spent!).
In the United States, zoning restrictions usually are the least restrictive at the federal level,
and become increasingly restrictive at the most local levels. That means (usually), the state is
less restrictive than the county; the county is less restrictive than the town or city; the town or
city is less restrictive than the homeowners' association. So is you do your zoning research at the
most restrictive level that applies to your situation, you should be in good shape.
If you live in a community that has a homeowner'sassociation, start there. Find out if there are
rules about installing solar panels (or any structures) on your roof, or if there are rules about
the kind of roofing materials you can use. It's not the end of the world if your discover
restrictions. You'll just have to develop a proposal that your association board will find so
appeal that they'll approve it with ease.
If your zoning comes from your town or city regulations, you'll need to go the planning office and
find out what your local zoning laws say about solar panel installations. It may take you some time
to find out exactly who to talk with; it may be the zoning department, or the planning department,
or the building code department. But once you uncover the proper authority, find out what permits
you need, and what the process is that you'll need to follow. If there are no town or city zoning
codes in place that cover solar panels, you'll need to research at the next level.
The next zoning authority level is your county. If you can find the county website online, you may
be able to get answers without having to visit the county offices in person. Either way, though,
you'll need to find out which department handles zoning and permits, and get your answers there. If
the county has no zoning regarding solar panels, keep asking questions. Someone at the county level
should be able to tell you whether your state has any laws in place.
You can also approach all of this research by finding local solar equipment suppliers and
installers. Since the zoning regulations affect their businesses, they'll usually know exactly what
the laws are, if any. Be sure you ask a reputable, licensed business person, though. And double
check their answers, don't just rely on what they tell you. As with any "home improvement" there
are a lot of scams out there that are easy to avoid by doing a little research of your
own.
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