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Solar Energy

How Norfolk Handles Solar Energy: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Norfolk maintains 129 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 Norfolk falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Panel Permits

Norfolk permits rooftop solar under Virginia USBC. Residential PV requires building and electrical permits issued through ePermitting portal. Virginia net metering (VA Code §56-594) available via Dominion Energy. Historic district installations require Architectural Review Board approval.

Key details: Permit: Building/electrical via ePermit. Net metering: Up to 25 kW residential. Utility: Dominion Energy. State law: VA Code §56-594. Historic: ARB approval required.

Unpermitted work: $250-$500 and re-inspection. ARB non-compliance in historic district: stop work and removal.

The rules around panel permits in Norfolk lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

HOA Restrictions

Virginia protects homeowner solar rights under VA Code §67-701 (effective 2020). HOAs cannot prohibit solar, though they may impose reasonable restrictions on location and appearance. Many Norfolk-area HOAs in Ocean View and East Beach have updated covenants for compliance.

Key details: State law: VA Code §67-701 protects solar. Effective: July 1, 2020. HOA limits: Reasonable appearance only. Remedy: DPOR CIC Board complaint. Pre-2020: Older covenants weaker.

HOAs enforcing solar bans may face DPOR CIC complaint and civil action for damages.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Norfolk 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.

These rules come from Norfolk's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.