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Town of Aurora | Town Board Meeting | April 13, 2026 GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM A solar energy system that is affixed to the ground either directly or by support structures or other mounting devices. Said system is an accessory structure, designed and intended to generate electricity primarily for on-site consumption. ROOFTOP-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Any solar energy system that is affixed to the roof of a building and wholly contained within the limits of the roof surface. Said system is designed and intended to generate energy primarily for on-site consumption. UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Any solar energy system that cumulatively on a lot is designed and intended to supply energy primarily into a utility grid for offsite sale or consumption. SECTION 4. USE DISTRICTS. Use districts where allowed. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, solar energy systems shall be allowed as follows: A. Rooftop-mounted and building-mounted solar energy systems are permitted in all zoning districts in the Town. B. Ground-mounted solar energy systems are permitted as accessory structures in all zoning districts of the Town subject to the restrictions in § 95A-7. C. Utility-scale solar energy systems are only permitted in C-1, C-2, and C-3 zoning districts. D. Any inconsistent provisions of the Zoning Law which purport to or may be interpreted to allow solar energy systems in other districts are hereby superseded. E. The provisions of this chapter apply to solar electricity generation and solar water heating systems. SECTION 5. GENERAL REGULATIONS. General regulations. The placement, construction, and major modification of all solar energy systems within the boundaries of the Town of Aurora shall be permitted only as follows: A. All proposed solar energy systems are required to follow at least the minimum standards set forth by the New York State Building Codes, and all specifications for such systems must be accompanied by a set of drawings stamped by a New York State-certified engineer or registered architect and code review checklist. B. All solar energy systems are required to obtain a permit from the Town of Aurora Building Department. C. Building-mounted, ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar energy systems capable of producing 25 kw of energy or less require a permit from the Town of Aurora Building Department. D. Building-mounted, ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar energy systems capable of producing more than 25 kw of energy require site plan approval from the Town Board and a building permit from the Town of Aurora Building Department. E. Utility-scale solar energy systems and all solar energy systems over 25 kw shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter and permitted only in the approved districts (C-1, C-2, and C-3) zoning districts. These systems shall require a special use permit , site plan approval from the Town Board and a building permit from the Town of Aurora Building Department. F. All solar energy systems existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be allowed to continue usage as they presently exist. Routine maintenance (including replacement with a new system of like construction and size) shall be permitted on such existing systems. New construction other than routine maintenance shall comply with the requirements of this chapter. G. No solar energy system shall hereafter be used, erected, moved, reconstructed, changed or altered except in conformity with these regulations. H. Any applications (including variance applications) pending for solar energy systems on the effective date of this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. I. This chapter shall take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of the Zoning Law of the Town of Aurora. J. This chapter shall not apply to any lot owned by a municipality. SECTION 6. GENERAL CRITERIA. A. Rooftop-mounted solar energy systems shall meet the height requirements of the underlying zoning district. All proposed installations must be accompanied with a set of drawings stamped by a New York State-licensed engineer or registered architect verifying the structural integrity of the building and a New York State code compliance checklist. (1) Pitched roof: Solar energy panels shall not be more than three feet higher than the finished roof to which they are mounted. (2) Flat roof: The maximum height of a solar energy panel at its highest pitch shall be no more than eight feet above the parapet wall. B. Building-mounted solar energy systems shall not be more than 18 inches from the building wall, and in no instance shall any part of the system extend beyond the eaveline or top of a parapet wall. All proposed installations must be accompanied by a set of drawings stamped by a New York State-licensed engineer verifying the structural integrity of the building and a New York State code compliance checklist. C. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be subject to the following requirements: (1) The location of said solar energy system shall be placed no closer than two times the standard setback requirements for an accessory 14