Hamburg Village, NY Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)

Article 25 of the Village of Hamburg zoning chapter sets the solar permit path. Section 250-25.4(A) requires a building permit for installation of all solar energy systems, and § 250-25.4(B) adds SEQRA review to approvals issued by the Planning Board. Article 25 takes precedence over any inconsistent provision of the village zoning law. It applies to systems permitted, installed or modified after its effective date, and a modification that increases the system area by more than 5% of the original area brings the system under the article.

Tier 1 systems, which include roof-mounted and building-mounted arrays, are a permitted use in all zoning districts under § 250-25.5. They are subject to site plan review by the Planning Commission, and the Village Architectural Review Commission must also review them in the LCR, VCC, NCC, MU-R and MU-1 districts. Roof-mounted panels facing the front yard must sit at the same angle as the roof surface with a maximum of eight inches between the roof and the highest edge of the system, and panels cannot extend beyond the roofline. Where the Building Code requires smoke ventilation, panels stay at least 18 inches from a roof ridge or peak. Panels need antireflective coatings, with proof supplied with the building permit application, and the roof needs snow and ice guards or restraints. Written notice goes to the fire company with operational authority no later than 10 days after installation, with a site map and a posted shutdown statement inside the main electrical panel.

Tier 2 systems under § 250-25.6 and Tier 3 systems under § 250-25.7 are not permitted in any zoning district. These are Village of Hamburg rules, separate from the Town of Hamburg.