Christopher Bensley spent £1,500 on a turbine from DIY store B&Q which he wants to attach to the roof of the home he shares with wife Pearl on Collins Lane in Heacham.
The turbines – which stand up to 2m tall – use wind-power to generate up to 1kilowatt of electricity which is channelled directly into a property's mains supply.
However planning chiefs at West Norfolk Council told Mr Bensley he must apply for full planning permission – just as he would if applying to build a new house – at a cost of around £150.
The council's cabinet member for development, Cllr Carol Sharp, told the Lynn News the council was simply "sticking to the rules" set by the Government and said the situation was the same across the country.
Mr Bensley claimed: "The council is being very negative. I can't see any reason why it should need planning permission.
"I understand if it is overlooking your neighbours' house then it shouldn't be allowed but there are two driveways between us and the nearest property."
Mr and Mrs Bensley have an energy-efficient boiler, solar panels, recycling and composting bins and a vegetable patch in the garden.
Mr Bensley said: "The Government says all these things about going green but don't back them up with any concrete directives."
He revealed the planning fee had already caused one of his neighbours to drop plans for his own turbine – even though he will begrudgingly press ahead with his own.
He said: "One of my neighbours went to buy one but couldn't be bothered when they found out about the £150."
Cllr Sharp confirmed: "At the moment planning permission is required, that is Government legislation and there is nothing we can do about it. We have to stick to the rules.
MERITS
"The council would welcome some relaxation... we applaud people using renewable forms of energy."
She, however, added: "It is probably too much to ask for planning permission to be deemed unnecessary – there are always neighbours who will have objections with things like this."
She said each case should be judged on its individual merits and revealed: "We have heard (relaxing the rules) is a distinct possibility and we would hope that something will be done as soon as possible."
alex.hoad@lynnnews.co.uk