Camden County - Wind Energy Systems Ordinance (North Carolina)

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

Rules Regulations Policies Program

Place	North Carolina
Name	Camden County - Wind Energy Systems Ordinance
Incentive Type	Solar/Wind Permitting Standards
Applicable Sector	Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Tribal Government, Utility
Eligible Technologies	Wind
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	Local
Energy Category	Renewable Energy Incentive Programs
Website	http://www.camdencountync.gov/
Date added to DSIRE	2007-11-08
Last DSIRE Review	2012-09-28
References	DSIRE

Summary

In September 2007, Camden County adopted a wind ordinance to regulate the use of wind-energy systems in the county and to describe the conditions by which a permit for installing such a system may be obtained.

For the purposes of this ordinance, wind-energy systems are classified as “large” if they consist of one or more turbines with a rated generating capacity of more than 20 kilowatts (kW) and “small” if a project consists of a single turbine rated at less than 20 kW. A site permit is required to establish, operate, and maintain any wind-energy system rated over 20 kW.

Height Requirements: The total height of a wind turbine is determined by the height above grade to the tip of the turbine blade as it reaches its highest point of rotation. The height limit for small wind turbines is 150 feet. Large systems may be taller if recommended as necessary by the Planning Board and subsequently approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Visual Appearance: Towers and rotor blades must maintain a galvanized finish or be painted so as to conform to their surroundings and reduce visual obtrusiveness. Wind-energy systems must also remain free from signage (except that of the manufacturer), advertising, flags, streamers, and other decorative items.

Setbacks: The ordinance requires that the base of the wind turbine must not be closer to surrounding property lines than its height unless a professional engineer (registered in North Carolina) certifies that the fall zone of the turbine will be within the proposed setback area. Small wind-energy systems must be set back from inhabited structures on adjacent property at least 1.5 times the height of the turbine unless the applicant can secure a permanent easement from the adjoining property owner(s) providing for a fall zone. Large wind-energy systems must be set back from inhabited structures on adjacent property at least two times the height of the turbine.

Building Permit Requirements: A building permit shall be required and building permit applications for small wind energy systems shall be accompanied by standard drawings of the wind turbine structure, including the tower, base, and footings. An engineering analysis of the tower, certified by a licensed professional engineer. This includes standards for ice/wind loading. This analysis may be supplied by the manufacturer. Wet stamps shall not be required.

Impact Analysis, Mitigation, and Planning: Applications for site permits for large wind-energy projects must include the following: building and electrical permits; site and design information; construction, operation, maintenance and insurance information; decommissioning and site restoration information; a comprehensive impact analysis and all other relevant permits and approvals. All applicants must also undergo a public hearing so that the county planning board may receive comments and other information pertinent to the application.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	Ava Jeanette Gurganus
Address	P.O. Box 190
Address 2	117 North NC343
Place	Camden, North Carolina
Zip/Postal Code	27921
Phone	(252) 338-1919 Ext:221
Email	agurganus@camdencountync.gov

Authorities (Please contact the if there are any file problems.)

Authority 1:	Camden County Ordinance § 151.347 (T)
Date Enacted	2007-09-17

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.