General requirements
A. Location. Wind energy systems are permitted only where indicated in Table 6-1, with a special use permit.
B. Exemptions. Building-mounted or building-integrated accessory wind energy systems for residential or commercial uses shall be allowed by right in all zones.
C. Compliance with laws, ordinances, and regulations. The construction and operation of all wind energy systems shall be consistent with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, regulations, and requirements, including, but not limited to, all applicable safety, construction, electrical, and communications requirements. All buildings/structures and fixtures forming part of a wind energy system shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the Rhode Island Building Code and Electrical Code.
D. Building permit and building inspection. No wind energy system shall be constructed, installed or modified without first obtaining a building permit and shall be subject to periodic inspections as deemed necessary by the building official.
E. Fees and surety. All applicable fees, including, but not limited to, a building permit fee, planning and zoning board review fees, as provided for herein or in the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Jamestown, shall be paid prior to the issuance of any building permits.
F. Plans and surveys. All plans related to design, construction, installation or modification of a wind energy system installation shall be prepared, signed, and stamped by either a professional engineer, surveyor (for property line information) or landscape architect (for landscape information) licensed to practice in the State of Rhode Island.
G. Operation and maintenance. The wind energy system shall be maintained by the applicant and shall be cleared of debris, weeds, trash, etc. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, painting, structural repairs, emergency braking (stopping) and integrity of security measures. The equipment shall remain in good repair and working order. Malfunctioning or inoperable equipment shall be removed from the property and disposed of in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of maintaining the wind energy system and any access road(s), unless accepted as a public way.
H. Conservation lands. Wind energy systems and any associated equipment shall not be allowed on land held under conservation easement or land for which the development rights have been sold, transferred, or otherwise removed from the parcel, unless the conditions of the easement, deed, or other applicable legal document specifically allows the installation of a wind energy system, or shall receive approval for the disturbance or use of such lands by the holder(s) of the easement or restriction.
(Ord. of 2-3-2025(1), § 1(Exh. A))