HOA Restrictions: Joliet vs Romeoville
How do hoa restrictions rules compare between Joliet, IL and Romeoville, IL?
Joliet and Romeoville have similar restriction levels.
Joliet, IL
Will County
Illinois law (765 ILCS 165, the Solar Rights Act) prohibits homeowners associations from outright banning solar panel installations. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic requirements regarding placement and appearance but cannot effectively prevent solar energy systems. Joliet follows state law on this matter and does not impose additional local HOA restrictions on solar installations.
View full Joliet rules →Romeoville, IL
Will County
Illinois Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act (765 ILCS 165/) prohibits HOAs from banning solar panels. CC&Rs contrary to the Act are void. HOAs may set reasonable placement rules if they do not reduce efficiency more than 10% or add cost more than $1,000. Effective across Will County.
View full Romeoville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Joliet | Romeoville |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | Illinois Solar Rights Act (765 ILCS 165) | - |
| HOA Bans | Prohibited under state law; void and unenforceable | - |
| Aesthetic Rules | HOAs may set reasonable placement and appearance standards | - |
| Cost/Efficiency | HOA rules cannot significantly increase cost or decrease efficiency | - |
| Local Ordinance | Joliet defers to state law; no additional local restrictions | - |
| Governing Law | - | 765 ILCS 165 (2011) |
| HOA Ban | - | Void by state law |
| Review Window | - | 75 days; silence = approval |
| Efficiency Rule | - | No >10% output loss |
| Cost Rule | - | No >$1,000 added |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Joliet FAQ
Can my HOA in Joliet prevent me from installing solar panels?
No. Under the Illinois Solar Rights Act (765 ILCS 165), HOA covenants that effectively prohibit solar energy systems are void and unenforceable. Your HOA may set reasonable aesthetic standards but cannot ban solar installations.
What aesthetic restrictions can an HOA impose on solar panels in Illinois?
HOAs may adopt reasonable rules about placement and appearance of solar panels, but these rules cannot significantly increase the system cost or significantly decrease its energy production efficiency.
What can I do if my Joliet HOA rejects my solar panel application?
You can cite the Illinois Solar Rights Act (765 ILCS 165) and inform the HOA that restrictions effectively prohibiting solar installations are void under state law. Legal remedies may be available if the HOA does not comply.
Romeoville FAQ
My Plainfield HOA denied my solar application — what are my options?
Request written reasons in 14 days. If the denial imposes conditions that reduce output more than 10% or add more than $1,000 in cost, the denial is void under 765 ILCS 165/15. You can sue for declaratory relief plus attorney fees.
Can my condo board in Bolingbrook block rooftop solar on the shared building?
Condo associations have more flexibility than HOAs because roofs are common elements. However, 765 ILCS 605/18.4 and 765 ILCS 165 require an energy policy statement and reasonable accommodation. Blanket bans are disfavored.
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