Town of Cumberland (RI)

Rhode Island Authority Having Jurisdiction Solar permitting requirements

NEC Code Version2017

Fire Code Version2018 Building Code

Wet Stamps RequiredDigital Structural,Digital Electrical

Fire Setback Enforced1

Codes

NEC Code Version: 2017

Fire Code Version: 2018 Building Code

Code List

2022 RHODE ISLAND BUILDING CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTIAL CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND FIRE CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND PLUMBING CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND MECHANICAL CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND ENERGY CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

2022 RHODE ISLAND ELECTRICAL CODE

ASCE Code Specification: ASCE 7-16

SolarAPP+ & submittal

How Many Plansets Required: 1

Revision Required: 1

Rough Inspection: None

New Planset Required For Module Swap: 0

Stamps

Ee Stamp Required On SLD: Yes

Wet Stamps Required: Digital Structural,Digital Electrical

Structural Calculations Required: Yes

Ee Stamp Notes: SE / EE digital stamps on all PV pages 1-7a & PE Letters / Calcs.

Stamp Location On Plans: Unspecified

Date On Stamps: Expiration Date

Fire setbacks

Fire Setback Enforced: 1

Setback Notes: Standard

Structural & loads

Wind Speed: 130

Wind Notes: Exposure Category C. Wind-borne debris region.

Snow Load: 35

Snow Load Notes

Reducible Snow Load Allowed: 1

Max Attachment Spacing: 96

Structural Notes: PE Stamps; SE / EE digital stamps on all PV pages & PE Letter / Calcs. WS 130 MPH GSL 35

Minimum Ground On Roof: #10

Electrical

Electrical Load Calcs Required: Derates

Allowed POI: Meter Adapter,Line Side Taps,Load Side Taps,PV Breaker

Panel Schedule Required: Partial Home Backup

Temperature Rating: 90

De Rating Ampacity: 0.91

Battery / ESS

Unique Battery Placards Needed: 0

ESS Notes: Standard

Separate ESS Disconnect Required: ESS Disconnect

ESS Elevation Detail Required: No

Plan set

Custom Placards Required: 0

Ground mount

Ground Mount Fencing Required: Yes

Ground Mount Notes

Ground Screws allowed with engineering.

Dimensional regulations ground-mounted solar energy systems.

a. The maximum height of a ground-mounted solar energy system shall be 12 feet, with the exception of solar covered parking structures which shall have a maximum height of 18 feet from the ground. The height shall be measured from the ground level or the base of the system's pedestal to the highest point of the solar energy system, including the top of any support structure or panel.

b. Setbacks. Small- and medium-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems that are accessory to a primary building or structure on a lot are provided with more flexible setback requirements than those that would typically apply to a primary structure. Whenever a solar energy system is sited as a principal structure on a lot, the setback requirements for principal structures in that zoning district apply.1. Minor ground-mounted solar energy systems accessory to principal structures may be located no closer than 1/2 of the setback that would otherwise apply or 20 feet from the front, side, or rear site lines, whichever is greater. Medium-scale ground-mounted solar installations should maintain the same setbacks as accessory structures.

c. Lot coverage. Major and medium ground-mounted solar installations shall cover no greater that 20% of a lot of contiguous lots in common ownership. In Industrial-2 ("I-2") Zoning Districts, for lots over 10 acres in size, up to 30% of lot coverage is allowed, including areas where trees and/or vegetation have been disturbed and/or removed previous to the enactment of this article. In no event shall any ground-mounted solar installation on any lot or contiguous lots in the same or related ownership exceed 10 acres of land determined by lot coverage as set forth above. The term "lot coverage," for the purpose of this section only, shall mean only the area of land physically covered by solar panels and accessory buildings, but shall not include any area or spaces between solar panels. Trees and/or vegetation shall, for purposes of this section only, mean trees with a twenty-four-inch diameter at breast height measured 4.5 feet above the ground minimum.[Amended 6-5-2019 by Ord. No. 19-09A]

d. Solar energy systems with grass or another pervious surface under them are exempt from impervious surface calculations. If the area is paved or otherwise rendered impervious then it counts towards any coverage or impervious surface limit. This exemption is not intended to apply to municipal stormwater regulations, as the panels could have the effect of altering volume, velocity, and discharge pattern of stormwater runoff.