Civil code 4600 now states that solar energy system installations are an exception to the rule requiring approval of 67 of members before the hoa can grant exclusive use of any portion of the common area to a member.
Hoa solar panels california.
How ab 634 changes hoa control over solar installations under the new law hoas no longer have the authority to prohibit solar installations.
California has had the solar rights act since 1978 which has helped encourage the growth of solar in the state and is the basis for many other states protective laws.
California established the solar rights act in 1978 which limits the ability of hoas and local governments to prevent the installation of solar panel systems.
In addition all property owners in the golden state enjoy solar easement rights which they can carry out on a case by case basis with their neighbors.
Community officials believe solar panels change the pre planned aesthetics and landscape of the neighborhood and generally look out of place.
A solar energy system also extends the life of the roof by protecting it from harmful ultraviolet rays and inclement weather.
So long as you comply with reasonable restrictions those are stated in civil code 714 1 and 4746 an hoa cannot arbitrarily deny homeowners seeking to install solar energy systems.
The purpose of these laws is to prevent homeowner s associations from banning solar panels and often also prevents them from having contracts that restrict homeowners from installing solar panels on their homes.
Thanks to new laws california hoas can t obstruct solar installations on their properties.
We recommend that you install your hoa s solar panels and system in conjunction with a new roof since both have an average useful life of approximately 25 30 years.
Per civil code 714 1 and 4746 the following guidelines apply.
This will help condo owners tremendously with solar adoption and its potential for clean energy savings.
The system must meet applicable building codes.
In other words your hoa can not prevent you from installing a solar electric system on your property.
It includes protections that limit hoa ability to pass prohibitive laws but allows an hoa to impose reasonable restrictions on solar energy systems.
Examples of states that have enacted solar access rights laws including california utah texas arizona and florida.
The main concern of hoa boards are that solar panelsmay drastically lower home values especially in cases where only a few homes within a community have panels installed.
