Content-Neutral Sign Regulation

Solar Energy

Content-Neutral Sign Regulation

The county’s community development code includes sign regulations that adhere to a literal interpretation of content neutrality (i.e., you do not have to read a sign to know whether it is in compliance with the regulations) (§414). These regulations are tied to a short set of sign type definitions (§106-193).

Solar Energy

The county's development standards include a section on solar access standards (Sec. 427). It includes an extensive definitions section (Sec. 427-2) and establishes a solar access standard for lots within new development of 80 percent compliance with several degrees of solar orientation, including establishment of a Protected Solar Building Line (Sec. 427-3.2). Exemptions may be provided for slopes or on- or off-site shading (Sec. 427-3.3). It establishes solar protections against future vegetation growth (Sec. 427-3.5). New buildings must comply with Solar Balance Point requirements, for which a solar site plan showing the maximum shade point height must be included; a formula is provided and exemptions apply (Sec. 427-4.2). The ordinance also allows property owners to apply for solar access permits to protect solar features from future shading from on- and off-site vegetation, providing detailed permit application and approval requirements (Sec. 427-5). The ordinance includes tables and illustrations of solar orientation for lot lines, shade points, solar balance points, solar lot options, and other related concepts. Elsewhere in the code, master plans (required for all development) are evaluated on a number of criteria, including nonresidential development orientation of lots, streets, and buildings for solar access, multifamily structures that do not shade adjacent properties, and single-family dwellings that comply with solar access standards (Sec. 403-2.3). Additional design review standards for Type II and Type III developments include energy conservation guidelines encouraging street, lot, and building orientation to allow maximum solar access, not shade adjacent properties, and comply with solar access standards (Sec. 406-3). Required landscaping must not cast shadows upon existing solar collectors (Sec. 407-2.2.B). The code also includes standards for solar energy collection systems, which are exempt from district height calculations and may exceed district height limits if placement standards are met (Sec. 430-1.8).