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

Yakima 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 Yakima falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Panel Permits

Residential and commercial solar PV in Yakima is permitted through the Code Administration Division under YMC Title 11 (Building Code) — which adopts the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50 IBC, WAC 51-51 IRC, WAC 51-54 IFC, and WAC 51-56/57 plumbing/mechanical) as state law requires under RCW 19.27. The state Energy Code (WAC 51-11C / 51-11R) is also adopted by reference. Yakima publishes a Residential Solar Photovoltaic Building Permit checklist through Code Administration that streamlines roof-mount applications. Electrical work is permitted and inspected separately by Washington Labor & Industries under RCW 19.28 and Chapter 296-46B WAC.

Key details: City Building Code: YMC Title 11 (adopts Washington State Building Code per RCW 19.27). Electrical Permits: Washington L&I — RCW 19.28 / Chapter 296-46B WAC (NOT city). Energy Code: WAC 51-11C / 51-11R (adopted statewide). Fee Cap Authority: Actual cost recovery — RCW 19.27.085. Net Metering: Chapter 480-108 WAC — administered by Pacific Power.

Installing solar PV without a building permit violates YMC Title 11 and the State Building Code Act, RCW 19.27. The city may issue a Stop Work order, require after-the-fact permitting (typically at doubled fees), and refuse the final inspection until brought into compliance. Energizing an unpermitted electrical system violates RCW 19.28 and is enforceable by Labor & Industries with civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation under RCW 19.28.131. Interconnecting an unapproved generator with the Pacific Power distribution system violates the WAC 480-108 net-metering rule and the utility tariff and can result in service disconnection.

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

HOA Restrictions

Washington state law sharply limits what a Yakima HOA may do to a solar installation. RCW 64.38.055 declares that the governing documents of a homeowners' association 'may not prohibit the installation of a solar energy panel by an owner or resident on the owner's or resident's property,' subject to applicable state and local permitting and to reasonable rules on placement and manner that do not significantly increase cost or significantly decrease performance. Condominiums get a parallel protection for solar (and a separate EV-charging right) under RCW 64.34.395. WUCIOA Act communities (associations formed July 1, 2018 or later) are similarly governed by RCW 64.90.510.

Key details: Controlling Statute (Older HOAs): RCW 64.38.055. Controlling Statute (Condos): RCW 64.34.395 (also covers EV charging). Controlling Statute (Newer HOAs): RCW 64.90.510 (WUCIOA). Void Restrictions: Any covenant prohibiting solar installation. Allowed Rules: Reasonable placement and manner — no significant cost/performance hit.

An HOA in Yakima that enforces a covenant void under RCW 64.38.055, RCW 64.34.395, or RCW 64.90.510 exposes itself to civil suit in Yakima County Superior Court. Courts have repeatedly held that void HOA solar restrictions cannot be enforced, and may award injunctive relief and the homeowner's costs. Condominium associations that block reasonable EV-charging installations face the same exposure under RCW 64.34.395. The HOA may still adopt and enforce reasonable, content-neutral placement and aesthetic rules — but those rules must not significantly increase the installed cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or performance, or they too are unenforceable.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Yakima gives residents more flexibility on hoa restrictions.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Yakima 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 Yakima's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.