Trustees Ease Up On Generator Restrictions

Some homeowners have run into obstacles with the village when they tried to hook up electrical generators to power sump pumps in the event of a power outage, but those troubles should be resolved under an ordinance amendment adopted by the Village Board last week.

The outdated ordinance regulating electrical generators on private property came to light when resident Robert Crawford requested a permit to place a generator in his backyard. Village employees worked with Crawford to create a revised ordinance that allows generators 20 feet — instead of 30 feet — from neighboring houses. The revised ordinance also changes the ratio used to calculate the distance from the building to which it provides power. The ratio changed from a 10-to-1 to 3-to-1.

The ratio and distance requirements under the old ordinance often made it impossible to fit a generator on smaller residential lots, but the ratio included in the revised ordinance will allow generators on most lots, while keeping the generators as far as possible from neighbors' homes.

“We wanted to try to offer something to offer the greatest ratio, placing the unit as close to the applicant’s home as possible while still meeting the applicant’s request,” Village Manager Pat DeGrave said.

The ordinance was originally crafted to address noise concerns, but Paul Launer, the village’s building inspector, said generators are much smaller than they used to be and the noise level emitted is similar to an air conditioner.

“With the noise and the materials they are putting on these new generators, we’re not going to have the same issues we used to,” he said.

Trustees unanimously approved the ordinance amendment at a Sept. 6 board meeting.