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City planners introduce draft ordinance defining accessory solar and set hearing for June 25
Summary
Planning staff introduced an ordinance to add definitions and development standards for accessory solar systems (roof‑, ground‑ and building‑integrated), clarify permitting and screening rules, and exclude accessory solar from building‑height calculations; the commission set a public hearing for June 25, 2026.
Planning Department sustainability staff introduced a zoning ordinance on June 11 to define and regulate accessory solar energy systems and to add use standards for roof‑mounted, ground‑mounted and building‑integrated installations.
Tio Bowman of the Sustainability Office said the ordinance "provides clarity" by adding definitions, excluding solar from building‑height calculations and modifying screening rules so that rooftop arrays are not treated the same as mechanical equipment in design districts. Bowman told commissioners the change was intended to reduce the need for variances that staff had to grant where code treated solar as mechanical equipment.
The ordinance would preserve existing review in historic and landmark districts and authorize administrative approvals in some design districts while requiring utility notification for grid‑interconnected systems and building permits where applicable.
Commission discussion touched on implementation details and building‑safety issues. A commissioner raised first‑responder safety: the commission noted that the planning work should consider systems that allow first responders to de‑energize arrays quickly on scene; a speaker summarized the point as ensuring panels have cut‑offs so crews can "cut off power to any residents when they're on scene." (transcript quote)
Action: Commissioners voted to set the ordinance for public hearing on June 25, 2026. Staff told the commission that principal‑use solar (large ground‑mounted solar as a primary land use) will be addressed in the larger zoning code update scheduled later this year.
What to expect: The June 25 hearing will include the ordinance's formal staff report and public comment. Staff will continue coordinating with design committees and the code‑update team on principal‑use provisions.
