Inglewood's Relaxed Approach to Solar Energy: What's Allowed

Every city handles solar energy a little differently. In Inglewood, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Panel Permits

Building permits are required for solar panel installation. CA Gov Code 65850.7 mandates streamlined, expedited permitting for residential solar. Inglewood Water and Power (IWP) handles interconnection. New construction subject to CA Title 24 solar mandate.

Key details: Permit: Required; streamlined per state law. Expedited: CA Gov Code 65850.7. Utility: IWP handles interconnection. New Construction: CA Title 24 solar mandate applies.

Installation without permit: retroactive permit required plus fines $200 to $1,000. Electrical code violations: correction order. Failure to obtain utility interconnection: system must be disconnected.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Inglewood gives residents more flexibility on panel permits.

HOA Restrictions

CA Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar panel installation. Any restriction reducing system efficiency by more than 10% is void. Reasonable aesthetic requirements may be imposed.

Key details: State Law: CA Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act). HOA Power: Cannot unreasonably restrict. Efficiency: Cannot reduce by >10%. Aesthetic Rules: Reasonable requirements allowed.

HOA fines for non-compliance with aesthetic guidelines: varies by CC&Rs. Installing without HOA approval where required: typically $50 to $200 fines until resolved. HOA illegally blocking solar: homeowner may recover legal costs.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Inglewood gives residents more room on solar energy. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Inglewood'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.