Are Solar Panels Generally Permitted In Housing Covenants

Two dozen states including maryland have solar access rights laws that limit homeowner associations from banning solar panels.

Are solar panels generally permitted in housing covenants.

First they ll need to gain permission from their condominium board of directors or homeowners association hoa by confirming that solar will not damage their building s roof and if it does it is covered under a warranty and will increase the property s value. A large number of covenants contain some version of the language that no solar panels shall be permitted or solar panels may not be erected or placed on the property. Under house bill 2008 1270 hoas that are subject to ccioa cannot preclude the use of solar panels. There are several approaches that condo dwellers can take to getting condominium solar panels approved.

38 30 168 addresses the authority of hoas to regulate the installation and use of solar energy devices which are defined as. In states with solar easements property owners can negotiate with their neighbors to protect their right to sunlight and prevent obstructions such as trees or structures on a neighbor s lawn that cast shade on their panels. Hoas can utilize reasonable architectural controls for the installation of solar panels. A solar collector or other device or a structural design feature of a structure which provides for the collection of sunlight and which comprises part of a system for the conversion of the sun s radiant energy into thermal chemical mechanical or electrical energy solar panels clearly fall within this definition.

While solar access laws protect your right to install solar on your roof solar easements provide a legal avenue for homeowners to protect their home s access to sunshine. Reasonable limitations of hoas or accs.