Can An HOA Prevent Solar Panel Installation?

Many Oregon homeowners are excited and ready to install solar panels until they ask themselves one question: Can my HOA prevent me from installing solar panels?

While Homeowners Associations are a good tool to maintain property values and ensure a nice looking community, they sometimes stand in the way of beneficial home projects. For some homeowners, this means their HOA denying their bid to install solar panels.

Thankfully, Oregon has legislation that is supportive of solar and can protect homeowners from their HOA.

HOAS CANNOT BAN SOLAR PANELS IN OREGON, BUT…

In 2017, the Oregon legislature passed HB 2111, which made it illegal for HOAs to outright ban solar panels on homes. Great news, right? But wait, there’s a caveat.

However, the law does allow HOAs to enforce “reasonable restrictions” on solar installations. This means HOAs are allowed to “adopt and enforce a provision that imposes reasonable size, placement or aesthetic requirements” on solar installations.

So while HOAs cannot outright prevent the installation of solar panels on a home, it can place restrictions for safety and aesthetic purposes of the community.

If you are unsure of your HOAs guidelines and restrictions for building projects, check your HOA’s covenants, conditions & restrictions (CC&Rs).

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HOW TO GET HOA APPROVAL FOR SOLAR PANELS

The process of getting your solar panels approved by your HOA can sometimes be a challenge, and even contentious at times. That’s why you want to take the right steps. Here are the steps you can take to make sure your solar panels have the best chance of getting approved by your HOA.

STEP 1: CHECK STATE SOLAR ACCESS LAWS

The first step to getting your HOA to approve your solar panels is to know your state’s solar access laws. Thankfully, as explained above, Oregon’s solar access laws are very generous and prohibit the ban of solar panels by HOAs.

To see a breakdown of solar access laws by state, click here.

STEP 2: RESEARCH YOUR HOA’S CC&RS

The next step is to dig deeper into your HOA’s CC&Rs. CC&Rs are the rules, limitations, and requirements that determine what property owners can do with their property.

An HOA might have language that addresses the size, placement, and aesthetic requirements of a solar panel installation. If the HOA does not have language addressing solar panels, you might want to inquire with the HOA board to get clarification.

If the HOA’s CC&Rs are unreasonable, outdated, or you want to push for change, that’s where the next step comes in.

STEP 3: MAKE YOUR CASE AND GET NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT

If your HOA has unreasonable or outdated policies regarding solar panels, or you want to push for a change, the next step is to approach your HOA and make your case.

To do this, you will also want to have support from your fellow neighbors. It’s important to talk with your community members to inform them of the benefits of solar and how it can not only help you, but the community as a whole. In the process, you can address their potential concerns and gain more support for your cause.

With greater neighborhood support, you can then approach your HOA with the backing of your fellow neighbors and push for change.

STEP 4: MEET WITH HOA BOARD

With the support of your neighbors and the information you have gained through researching solar, you can now approach the HOA board and make your case.

This is your opportunity to inform the board about the benefits of solar, address their concerns, and discuss the challenges and opportunities of solar energy in your community.

STEP 5: BE PERSISTENT

After meeting with your HOA board, you might continue to receive resistance, or the board might drag its feet to avoid a decision. If that’s the case, be persistent. Don’t give up on your solar panel project and your chance at energy independence and savings.

With the right approach and the support of your community, you should be able to overcome any objections raised about your project and get approved.

STEP 6: ENJOY YOUR SOLAR PANELS AND ENERGY SAVINGS

If all goes well and your HOA approves your solar panel installation, congratulations! You can now enjoy the same energy independence and sayings as millions of homeowners across the country. You can also help spread the word about solar energy to your neighbors and help them realize the same benefits of solar energy as you have.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR HOA?

Are you wanting to install solar panels on your home, but unsure if your HOA would approve? Green Ridge Solar can help you.

Green Ridge Solar can provide you with information about how solar panels work, their benefits to you and the community, and address any concerns your HOA might have. With this information, you can make the best case to your HOA and win approval for your solar panels.

Contact Green Ridge Solar today to get more information about solar energy and to see how you can get solar installed on your home.

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