Chapter 17.30 — SCREENING OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

§ 17.30.010. Applicability. ¶

These standards are applicable to heating and air conditioning equipment, refrigeration equipment and utility equipment including transformers and similar equipment. This chapter does not apply to solar collection systems.

(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)

§ 17.30.020. Single-family and two-family residential uses. ¶

All equipment, including roof-mounted equipment, shall be screened from view from all public rightsof-way.

(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)

§ 17.30.030. Multiple-family, office, commercial and public uses. ¶

A. Ground-mounted HVAC units and utility equipment such as electric and gas meters, panels, junction boxes and similar equipment shall be screened from view from public rights-of-way, parks, plazas, etc. either by placing them out of view or screening them using architecturally compatible walls.
B. Utility transformers, cross-connection control devices and similar equipment shall be carefully located to minimize, to the extent possible, their view from public rights-of-way, parks, plazas, etc. Wherever feasible they should be placed in locations not immediately adjacent to streets, driveways, parking lots or public gathering areas. When located in publicly visible areas, the equipment shall be oriented so that it is screened with berms, landscaping, walls, or a combination thereof, while maintaining access to service doors and equipment, as required by the affected utility.
C. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be hidden with building elements that are designed for that purpose as an integral part of the building design.
D. Wall-Mounted Mechanical Equipment. Equipment that protrudes more than 12 inches from an outer building wall shall be screened from public view by structural features that are compatible with the architecture and materials of the building. Wall-mounted equipment that protrudes less than 12 inches from the outer building wall shall be designed to blend with the building color(s), design and materials of the building.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)

§ 17.30.040. Industrial uses. ¶

A. Ground-mounted HVAC units and utility equipment shall be screened from public view.
B. Due to the nature of industrial uses, alternative screening measures may be utilized for HVAC units and utility equipment. This may include, but shall not be limited to, increased yard sizes, increased landscaping, grouping equipment outside of public view, painting, or otherwise camouflaging the equipment.
(Ord. 526 § 1, 2010)