Gurnee creates standards for permanent generators

Gurnee now has specific guidelines for residents and businesses seeking village permission to install permanent emergency backup generators for buildings.

Village board trustees voted 6-0 this week in favor of establishing standards for the generators based on a growing number of permit applications and inquiries since mid-July storms left a swath of Gurnee without power for about a week.

Community development director David Ziegler said temporary generators are not covered under the new rules because enforcement would be impractical for village inspectors.

“We’d be running all over the community,” Ziegler said.

Under the regulations, permanent generators in residential areas must be installed within five feet of a structure’s wall and no closer than three feet to any interior property line.

Residential generators can’t go in front yards and must be enclosed in a professionally manufactured box or cabinet that limits sound. The emergency backup generators at homes can’t be fueled by propane, diesel or gasoline.

In commercial areas, the units must be installed within 12 feet of a principal structure’s wall and no closer than three feet to a residential property line. The generators also can’t be in front of a business and must be effectively screened by evergreens that are a minium of six feet tall.

Previous permanent emergency backup generator requests were examined on the basis of how close installation would be to a building.

Ziegler said staff research found the generators typically fall within 63 to 74 decibels of sound from a distance of 23 feet, similar to air conditioners.