The towns listed in the right sidebar already have town codes in place.
Towns which are unlisted currently have no code pertaining directly to
wind turbine installation. Additional documentation for select towns are
listed below. This section will be updated, as town codes are established
and ammended.
1. Islip:
2. Riverhead:
A summary of the existing codes can be viewed on the Renewable Energy Long Island website.
1. Height: On long island wind comes from the west, mainly southwest
at high altitudes. As elevation increases, wind speeds increase because
there is less friction with the earth’s surface. Friction is caused by
obstructions such as trees and buildings that impede the speed of the
wind and cause turbulence. Moreover as wind speeds increase, power increases
exponentially. Therefore, to capitalize on the true potential of wind,
each turbine should be at least 30 feet above any obstructions within
a 300 foot radius.
2. Property Size and Setback: The current standard for town codes on Long Island is variable, several towns require property owners are to have seven acres and a fall zone radius equal to the turbine height in order to support any size installed turbine. These are unnecessary restrictions which have been instated due to unqualified complaints of aesthetics or noise. Meanwhile there are lighting and flag poles which have the same appeal to the eye within 10 feet of the road and are often located on residential property. Not many are willing to complain about their neighbor’s flagpole, nor do most protest the electricity, telephone, or radio towers located on their property. These structures seen every day are not required to be engineered for safety, withstand Long Island's standard wind gusts, or have a fall zone radius the height of the tower. In fact most of these structures are cause for major property damage during inclement weather. Wind turbines, on the other hand, are rated at 120mph wind gusts, and are structurally engineered monuments of independence.
3. Sound: modern turbines have more efficient blades, fewer moving parts and more insulation designed to decrease the sound of a turbine. These turbines produce a sound that is hardly detectable from the regular noise of a town. Wind movement through trees, daily traffic, airplanes overhead, and ocean waves mask the sound emanated from a turbine, because turbines are at decibel levels equivalent to or less than ambient noise. The diagram to the left illustrates the sound level of common sounds as a comparison to a small scale wind turbine.
Image Source: American Wind Energy Association
1. Height, lot size, and setback should be considered on a scaling basis of turbine generation capacity, and required height to support a property’s usage. These justifications should be a product of suggestions by the manufacturer of the turbine and a professional engineer’s calculations. The justifications for height, lot size, and setback should comply with existing noise regulations.
2. To alleviate post installation complaints, a signed consent of the property’s immediate neighbors should be required, if turbines do not meet standard setback and property size requirements. Neighbors should be educated on the benefits of the turbine installation and exactly how it will affect their daily lives.
3. There should not be a limit on generation since each property usage is different especially in industrial and commercial zones.
4. Turbines should be encouraged in areas with a viable wind resource, and discouraged in areas which will not provide adequate generation for the property owner, neighbors, and the power company.
For more information visit the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) website:
» In the Public Interest: How and Why to Permit for Small Wind Systems
Current Town Code
