How Farmington Hills Handles Solar Energy: A Practical Guide

Farmington Hills maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with solar energy. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Farmington Hills falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Panel Permits

Solar PV systems in Farmington Hills require both a building permit and an electrical permit from the Building Division at (248) 871-2450, with electrical interconnection through the serving utility (DTE Energy for most of Farmington Hills; some areas are Consumers Energy). The Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 34, Section 3.26) ALLOWS solar energy collectors in ALL zoning districts. Roof-mounted solar may exceed the district height limitations if the installation is an addition to a roof and does not block solar access of adjoining buildings (§ 34-3.26.3.B.ii). Solar collectors may extend 2 inches per foot of yard into side yards and 3 feet into front and rear yards (§ 34-3.26.7.A & B).

Key details: Permitting Authority: FH Building Division — (248) 871-2450. Required Permits: Building + Electrical. Zoning Rule: Ch. 34 § 3.26 — allowed in ALL districts. Height Exception: § 34-3.26.3.B.ii (roof-mount addition). Yard Projection: § 34-3.26.7.A&B (2 in/ft side; 3 ft front/rear).

Installing solar PV without both a building permit AND an electrical permit violates the Michigan Building / Residential / Electrical Codes as adopted under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (MCL 125.1501 et seq.) and Chapter 7 of the Farmington Hills Code, and is enforceable as a municipal civil infraction under Chapter 1 § 1-15 with Stop Work orders, after-the-fact permitting at increased fees, civil fines, and orders to disconnect until inspected. Energizing on the DTE Energy or Consumers Energy grid without an executed interconnection agreement violates the MPSC-approved Distributed Generation tariff and can result in tariff penalties, removal of net metering / DG credit, and disconnection. Unsafe wiring or non-compliant rapid-shutdown installation can be referred to LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes under MCL 338.881 et seq. and to the State Fire Marshal under the Michigan Fire Prevention Code, MCL 29.1 et seq.

HOA Restrictions

Michigan adopted the Homeowners' Energy Policy Act (Public Act 68 of 2024, MCL 559.301 to 559.317), signed July 8, 2024 and effective April 1, 2025, which VOIDS any homeowners' association provision that 'prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of a solar energy system' on residential property. HOAs must adopt a written Solar Energy Policy Statement by April 1, 2026 setting REASONABLE rules on location, screening, and design. Outright bans are unenforceable. Condominium associations under the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.) are also subject to certain solar provisions, though application to condo associations under PA 68 is the subject of practitioner debate.

Key details: Statewide Statute: Homeowners' Energy Policy Act, PA 68 of 2024. Codification: MCL 559.301 to 559.317. Effective Date: April 1, 2025. Total Bans: VOID under MCL 559.307. Policy Deadline: HOA Solar Energy Policy by April 1, 2026.

An HOA that enforces an outright solar prohibition on or after April 1, 2025 violates MCL 559.307 — the provision is void and unenforceable, and the homeowner may sue in Oakland County Circuit Court under MCL 559.315 for declaratory and injunctive relief plus attorney's fees and costs if prevailing. An HOA that fails to adopt a written Solar Energy Policy Statement by April 1, 2026 loses any structured procedure to evaluate solar applications, and the homeowner may proceed with reasonable installation. An HOA may still adopt and enforce REASONABLE rules on location, screening, color, mounting hardware, indemnification, and application procedures consistent with MCL 559.309 — a homeowner who installs solar in defiance of those reasonable rules is subject to HOA enforcement including fines, liens under MCL 559.208 (Condominium Act lien procedures by analogy for HOAs), and Circuit Court action. The City of Farmington Hills will still issue building and electrical permits regardless of HOA dispute — the City does not enforce private covenants — but the homeowner remains exposed to HOA enforcement for non-compliant installations.

The rules around hoa restrictions in Farmington Hills lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills's solar energy rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Farmington Hills is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Farmington Hills's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.