Solar Collectors are regulated under the Lethbridge County Land Use Bylaw (click to view: Land Use Bylaw). For detailed information please refer to Part 6 Section 2 of the Land Use Bylaw
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Solar collectors on roofs and walls
In Lethbridge County a solar collector attached to a wall or roof of a building may be permitted in any land use district (zoning) as an accessory structure, without the requirement for a development permit subject to the following:
- A solar collector mounted on a roof:
- May project a maximum of 1.22 metres (4 ft.) from the surface of the roof and shall not exceed the maximum heigh requirements of the applicable land use district; and
- Must not extend beyond the outermost edge of the roof.
- A solar collector mounted to a wall:
- Must be located such that it does not create undue glare on neighbouring property or public roadways;
- Must be located a minimum of 2.44 metres (8 ft.) above grade;
- May project a maximum of 1.52 metres (5 ft.) from the surface of the wall, when the wall faces the rear property line, subject to the setback requirements of the applicable land use district; and
- May project a maximum of 0.61 metres (2 ft.) from the surface of the wall when the wall faces the front, secondary front or side property line, subject to the setback requirements of the applicable land use district.
Freestanding Solar Collectors
A free-standing solar collector or a solar collector mounted to any structure other than a roof or wall of a building is classified as an accessory use and requires a development permit (see exemptions for Rural Agriculture district below). These free-standing solar collectors must meet all required setbacks to roadways and property lines and the following additional standards:
- Must be located such that it does not create undue glare on neighbouring property or public roadways; and
- Must not exceed 4.5m (15 ft.) in height above existing grade when oriented at maximum tilt, in the Grouped Country Residential and Hamlet Residential land use districts; and
- Must not exceed 6.1m (20 ft.) in height above existing grade when oriented at maximum tilt, in all other land use districts where the use is allowed.
- Free-standing solar collectors in the Hamlet Residential land use district must not be located in the front, secondary front, or side yards.
To apply for a development permit, click the link: Get a Development Permit
Solar arrays
In the Rural Agriculture (RA) land use district a grouping of more than five (5) adjacent free-standing solar collector panels, often referred to as a solar array, on the same parcel requires a development permit and is a discretionary use. This includes solar arrays which primarily produce power for irrigation systems, feedlots, and other farming operations and activities. Any solar collectors which primarily produce or feed power into the provincial power grid or transmit to other properties, regardless of the number of panels also require a development permit.
To apply for a development permit, click the link: Get a Development Permit
Exemptions
In the Rural Agriculture (RA) land use district a grouping of five or less free-standing solar collectors on the same parcel are exempt from the requirements of obtaining a development permit provided they meet all minimum setback requirement to roadways and property lines and the collectors are primarily for private use.
Electrical and Building Permits
All solar collectors require an electrical permit and some require a building permit depending on the setup. Please contact Park Enterprises to obtain the electrical and building permits – 403-329-3747.
Solar Collection Facility (Commercial Scale)
Any commercial scale solar collection facility is required to re-designated to Direct Control.
For information regarding solar farms please contact the Planning & Development Department at 403-328-5525.
