Solar Panels In Hoas In Va

Virginia still lags far behind our neighbors like north carolina which has already installed over 1500 megawatts of solar three times virginia s pledge introduction across the south people are increasingly turning to homegrown affordable solar power to meet their energy needs.

Solar panels in hoas in va.

Virginia passed legislation way back in 1977 authorizing municipalities to exempt residential solar power systems from taxation i e. Solar access laws ensure that governing hoas cannot prohibit their members from installing solar on their properties. Which have solar access laws that stop homeowner s associations from preventing or unreasonably restricting the installation of solar panels. It s really nebulous language sutch says.

Homeowners associations can only stop you from installing solar if the hoa s recorded declaration explicitly prohibits solar installations. The tax code is not entirely devoid of love for solar power. Exempting the value that the solar power system adds to your home from being counted in property tax calculations. But they are allowed to impose reasonable restrictions on their placement.

The pbr requirements for a complete application to construct and operate are explicitly identified under the regulation rather than being developed on a case by case basis and applies to solar energy projects 150 megawatts or less. However they do often allow hoas to place reasonable restrictions on solar systems. The small renewable energy projects solar permit by rule pbr regulation became effective on july 18 2012. 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.

Virginia governor ralph northam has signed hb 414 sb 504. The code never specifies what reasonable means however. No community association shall prohibit an owner from installing a solar energy collection device on that owner s property unless the recorded declaration for that community association establishes such a prohibition. The bill protects homeowners who want to install solar from burdensome homeowners association hoa restrictions.

In virginia hoas are not legally allowed to ban their residents from installing solar panels outright. However an hoa may develop certain reasonable restrictions in relation to the size location and placement of solar panels or restrict the installation of panels on common areas within the neighborhood. Homeowners associations in virginia virginia lawprotects your ability to go solar. Virginia dc and maryland are three of the forty states in the u s.

Covenants regarding solar power.