HOA Restrictions: Pittsburg vs San Ramon

California Civil Code §714, the Solar Rights Act, strongly protects homeowners from HOA restrictions on solar panels. HOAs cannot prohibit solar systems or impose restrictions that reduce efficiency by more than 10% or add more than $1,000 (or 10% of system cost) in costs. These rights apply to all Pittsburg HOAs.

California Civil Code Section 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits San Ramon HOAs from banning solar panels. HOAs and CC&Rs can impose only 'reasonable restrictions' — those that do not significantly increase system cost (over $1,000 for PV) or decrease efficiency by more than 10%. HOA approval must be granted within 45 days or it is deemed approved. Civil Code 4600 and 4745 reinforce homeowner solar rights. San Ramon's many HOA communities (Gale Ranch, Windemere, Canyon Lakes) must comply.