HOA Restrictions: Castro Valley vs San Leandro
How do hoa restrictions rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Castro Valley and San Leandro have similar restriction levels.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
Alameda County HOAs cannot prohibit solar under CA Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act). Only reasonable restrictions are allowed that do not significantly reduce efficiency or raise cost.
View full Castro Valley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
California Civil Code 714 Solar Rights Act preempts HOA bans on solar panels. Restrictions that reduce output >10% or cost >$1,000 are void.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Civil Code 714 Solar Rights Act | - |
| Efficiency threshold | 10 percent output / 1,000 dollars | - |
| Review deadline | 45 days, silence = approval | - |
| Common roofs | Protected by AB 634 | - |
| Penalty for violation | Up to 1,000 dollars civil | - |
| State law | - | Civil Code 714 |
| Efficiency rule | - | >10% reduction void |
| Cost rule | - | >$1,000 increase void |
| HOA review | - | 45 days max |
| Ban | - | Preempted statewide |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
Can my HOA require specific panel colors?
Only if it does not reduce efficiency by more than 10 percent or add more than 1,000 dollars in cost. All-black panels are typically acceptable, but restrictive tile-matching rules often fail this test.
What if my HOA delays my solar application?
Under Civil Code 714, failure to respond within 45 days constitutes approval. Document your submittal date and proceed if no decision is issued.
San Leandro FAQ
Can my HOA ban solar panels?
No. CA Civil Code §714 preempts outright bans. HOAs can only impose reasonable aesthetic conditions.
What if HOA delays approval?
Approval is deemed granted if HOA does not respond within 45 days of a complete application.
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