On-Site WECS’ All Dristricts
Key claim: Huron County allows small on-site wind turbines as accessory uses in every zoning district, subject to height, lot-area, setback, and noise standards adopted in 2010.
Abstract
County document “On-Site WECS’ All Dristricts” (9 pp), published on https://www.co.huron.mi.us/building-and-zoning-ordinances. Text Amendment adopted by Huron County Board of Commission on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 as Resolution No. 10 - 97C, ZA 2010 - 02, with an effective date of June 1, 2010. Article XIV General Provisions: Add New Section 14.29 Wind Energy Conversion Systems [WECSs in all districts] Section. 14.29. On-Site Wind Energy Conversion Systems. [all districts] Sec. 14.29.01. Purpose. The regulation of on-site wind energy conversion systems, including the height, minimum lot area and required setbacks for such systems, is intended to provide for an alternative source of power generation, while protecting the health, safety, or welfare of residents. Sec. 14.29.02 Scope of Regulations. On-site wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) may be erected, relocated, enlarged, structurally changed, or altered in accordance with the provisions of this article. Sec. 14.29.03. Definitions. Certain words and phrases used in this article shall have the meaning set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in article II shall be given the meanings set forth in article II. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Adjacent occupied structure means a residence, school, hospital, church, public library, business or other buildings used for public gathering, excluding accessory structures, that is located on an adjoining property when the permit application is submitted. Applicant means the person, whether natural or legal entity, filing an application under this article. Decibel means a unit expressing relative difference in power, usually between acoustic or electric signals, equal to ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of the two levels. A decibel (dB) is a unit that expresses the magnitude of sound pressure and sound intensity. Height means the height of a wind energy conversion system measured from natural grade at the point of installation to the tip of the rotor blade or assembly at its highest point or blade-tip height. Mechanical shadow means the entire envelope that is occupied by the circle swept by the furthest extension of any blade or other exposed moving component of a wind energy conversion system. On-Site Wind Energy Conversion System means a device or system designed to supplement other electricity sources as an accessory use for agricultural, residential, commercial, waterfront, office, and industrial buildings or facilities, wherein the power gener
Why this matters
Huron County’s approach separates small accessory wind turbines — allowed everywhere under uniform 2010 standards — from utility-scale wind, which is confined to overlay districts with heavier siting rules. That two-track structure matters because most ordinance fights in Michigan’s largest wind county focus on commercial projects, while landowner-scale turbines quietly operate under a countywide accessory-use regime.