Looking For Rules & Regulations on Installing Generators

My HOA has decided that we should probably included some do's and dont's in our Rules and Regulations concerning installing a generator outside individual units. I would appreciate any input that people may already have adopted.

Here in the land of hurricanes we had to allow generators for emergencies. They changed the statute so that we cannot deny anything like that for HOAs, but we can put restrictions on them, like we do on hurricane shutters. Our condos all have garages and driveways, so they are allowed to have generators on their driveways.

We recently had a bunch of applications for permanent generators and underground propane tanks because Costco had a company they were promoting. Unfortunately, we found out that the local installer for them believed the fire codes and and rules, including permits, were optional and told our ARB that the distances from property lines and easements didn't have to be followed. We are watching closely.

Also, we had at least two homes that used battery generators with solar power during the outage following recent Hurricane Milton. They worked great. The advantage is they are silent, no gasoline required, can be recharged by the solar panels or you can plug into another power source to recharge. They are about the same cost and will last longer than a regular gasoline generator, which actually needs to be started monthly and maintained.

Here's our latest version of our generator restrictions.

Generators And Propane Gas Tanks
12.1.
No gas tank, gas container or cylinder shall be permitted to be placed on or about the outside of any Home, on any Lots, or on the CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION COMMON Elements, or on or about any ancillary building except for two (2) liquid propane cylinders, not to exceed 20 lbs. capacity, that connect to a gas barbeque grill, smoker, outdoor gas fire pit, or similar device intended for residential use.
12.2.
The location of barbeque grills, smokers, or other liquid propane fueled devices are subject to MASTER ASSOCIATION approval.
12.3.
Permanent emergency propane generators and tanks may be installed, but require ARB approval. Underground propane tanks for use with emergency generators may be installed with ARB approval, however, the installation must be done by a licensed contractor with a county permit following all the local building codes.
12.4.
Applications for underground propane tanks must include a survey of the property and a drawing showing the location of the tank on the property.

12.5.
All underground propane tanks must be installed at least ten feet from the property line and may not be installed in a drainage easement (DE) or a lake maintenance easement (LME).
12.6.
Temporary emergency generators are allowed to be used during power outages but must be turned off once power has been restored. The CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS may have additional restrictions for the location of temporary emergency generators.

Resources:

Policy Resolution #54 - Generators from an HOA

STANDBY ELECTRIC GENERATOR POLICY from an hoa

I had a 16kw generator installed at a SFH. All generators installed would need to comply to the local jurisdictions ordinances. I do not know what type of power your generator is going to run on. My recommendation it needs to have an independent fuel source. I had relatives in areas which they used natural gas from the utility company for power. If the utility company has issues or every Tom and Jane needs power at the same time you got a drain on the utility company ability to supply. An independent supply would be best.

Some rules are placement for the tanks. Lot of rules and great info on the internet for that. The tank supplier would know the rules and now you are dealing with ARC rules for your condo. Should you be a screen around the tanks so that folks can't see it. Is that allowed? etc.

The fuel let's say its propane depending on the location and size of the tanks then the gas line needs to be trenched to the generator. How big should the tanks be? Are we looking at a tanks that is the size of a bus? They can get really big. Also do you allow the owner to rent or own the tank. The color of the tank and there are ordinances on what color and type of paint should be used.

Another item is the noise the generators generate. My generator runs for about five minutes every week. It's an engine and needs to run. What time and day would you allow the condo to have it run. What capacity size are you going to allow.

All of the above combined with the rules on the common area and or exclusive common element on the land etc will make a difference if this is a condo or a HOA.