Hoa Restrictions On Solar Panels

Hr 2454 the american clean energy and security act was a proposed federal law that made it illegal for a homeowners association to restrict the installation of solar panels.

Hoa restrictions on solar panels. The legislation protects the rights of homeowners who want to go solar but live in hoa communities said aaron sutch program director for solar united neighbors. Some of the common restrictions that hoas and historic districts put on solar installations include requiring flush mounted panels prohibiting ground mounted solar panels requiring that rooftop installations aren t visible from the public right of way and using equipment that matches the color of the roof. Hoa s can still enforce where to put your panels or how to install them these laws usually say that some restrictions are still possible. Two dozen states including maryland have solar access rights laws that limit homeowner associations from banning solar panels.

According to house bill 362 which was signed into law in 2011 the law forbids hoas from prohibiting solar energy installations unless several very specific circumstances occur. Virginia governor ralph northam has signed hb 414 sb 504. Unfortunately this doesn t mean your homeowner association can t place a few community restrictions. The bill protects homeowners who want to install solar from burdensome homeowners association hoa restrictions.

This law overrides your homeowners association contract that restricts you from installing the panels. In fact the law is on your side.