Wind Energy

This guide is designed to help cities and counties facilitate the development of distributed wind systems, and it includes a model ordinance. It includes background on distributed wind energy systems, permitting and zoning considerations, and a model distributed wind ordinance. It includes discussion about and examples of, wind ordinances and wind energy in comprehensive plans (p.15-22).

The model distributed wind energy zoning ordinance includes a purpose section, definitions, permitted use standards, standards for design, safety, siting, sound, permitting application procedures, provisions for expiration, violations, and penalties, and decommissioning standards. The model defines two classes of distributed wind energy systems:

• Size I: Distributed systems under 100 kW permitted by right in all zoning districts subject to use-specific standards
• Size II: Distributed systems over 100 kW permitted by right in all non-residential zoning districts, subject to use-specific standards (p.13)

It allows multiple distributed wind energy systems (multiple discrete facilities) on a single lot with a discretionary use permit, subject to use-specific standards.