Table of Contents

Biophilic Planning

Scenic View Protection

Solar Energy

Transfer of Development Rights

Biophilic Planning

This county’s land use code requires certain developments to submit a wildlife impact report that is prepared by an expert. This impact report will identify any species of concern that is on the property to be developed and how that development will impact the habitat of the species (§ 7-1700).

Scenic View Protection

The county’s zoning code includes a view protection overlay district (§4-200). It limits building height, depending on the slope of the building lot, to reduce impacts on significant views.

Solar Energy

Large Solar Energy Systems and Medium Solar Energy Systems or Solar Gardens are permitted by special review in the Forestry, Agricultural, Commercial, Light Industrial, and General Industrial zoning districts. Small Solar Energy Systems or Solar Gardens are uses permitted by site plan review and limited impact special review (Table 4-515, pg 4-84).

Solar energy systems are permitted as an accessory use by site plan review or site plan review waiver in all zoning districts (Table 4-516, pg 4-86).

The ordinance defines a Large Solar Energy System, lists which districts they are permitted in, and covers parking and loading requirements as well as additional provisions (4-514F.)

The ordinance defines a Medium Solar Energy System or Solar Garden, lists which districts they are permitted in, and covers parking and loading requirements as well as additional provisions (4-514H.)

The ordinance defines a Small Solar Energy System or Solar Garden, lists which districts they are permitted in, and covers parking and loading requirements as well as additional provisions (4-514M.)

The ordinance defines an Accessory Solar Energy System, lists which districts they are permitted in, and covers parking and loading requirements as well as additional provisions (4-516K.)

Development design guidelines include providing for solar access on site and on adjacent properties to the greatest extent possible (7-200B.4.).

The ordinance defines solar access (18-198) and solar energy device (18-199) (pg 18-16).

Transfer of Development Rights

The county’s land use code authorizes transfer of development rights (TDR) to preserve agricultural, open space, scenic, and environmental resources. It includes separate TDR standards for single-family uses and for planned developments.

TDR standards for single-family uses address program purposes, geographic areas, single-family size thresholds, conveyance and severance of development rights, acquisition and use of development rights, the county’s TDR bank, and exemptions (§4-1300 et seq.).

TDR standards for planned development address program purposes, designated sending and receiving areas, zoning requirements, development criteria, development standards, conditions of approval, and the procedure for obtaining development rights (§6-700).