De Pere, WI Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Section 14-78(14)(a) requires accessory solar energy systems to comply with all applicable building and electrical code requirements, and it makes owners solely responsible for negotiating with neighboring property owners for any solar easements needed to protect access to sunlight, with any such easement recorded with the county recorder of deeds. Building-mounted systems, covered in subsection (b), may go on principal or accessory structures and must meet every setback regulation that already applies; only building-integrated or flush-mounted systems are allowed on street-facing building elevations, and no building-mounted system may extend more than 3 feet above the district's maximum building height limit or 4 feet above the highest point of the roof line, whichever is less.

Ground-mounted systems, covered in subsection (c), cannot be placed in a required street setback or street yard in residential zoning districts, though they may be located within required interior side and rear setbacks, and they remain subject to whatever accessory structure height and lot coverage regulations apply in that district. The ordinance text does not print usable district-specific height or coverage figures for accessory structures in a form that can be tied to a district here, so those numeric limits are not restated in this record.