Solar envelope zoning: application to the city planning process. Los Angeles case study

Technical Report · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5141598· OSTI ID:5141598

Solar envelope zoning represents a promising approach to solar access protection. A solar envelope defines the volume within which a building will not shade adjacent lots or buildings. Other solar access protection techniques, such as privately negotiated easements, continue to be tested and implemented but none offer the degree of comprehensiveness evident in this approach. Here, the City of Los Angeles, through the Mayor's Energy Office, the City Planning Department, and the City Attorney's Office, examine the feasibility of translating the concept of solar envelopes into zoning techniques. They concluded that envelope zoning is a fair and consistent method of guaranteeing solar access, but problems of complexity and uncertainty may limit its usefulness. Envelope zoning may be inappropriate for the development of high density centers and for more restrictive community plans. Aids or tools to administer envelope zoning need to be developed. Finally, some combination of approaches, including publicly recorded easements, subdivision approval and envelope zoning, need to be adopted to encourage solar use in cities. (MHR)

• Research Organization: Los Angeles Mayor's Office, CA (USA); Los Angeles Dept. of City Planning, CA (USA); Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 5141598
• Report Number(s): SERI/SP-98156-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400* -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
CALIFORNIA
COMMUNITIES
LEGISLATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NORTH AMERICA
PLANNED COMMUNITIES
PLANNING
REGULATIONS
SOLAR ACCESS
SOLAR RIGHTS
USA
WESTERN REGION
ZONES
ZONING