HOA Restrictions: St. Petersburg vs Tarpon Springs
How do hoa restrictions rules compare between St. Petersburg, FL and Tarpon Springs, FL?
St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs have similar restriction levels.
St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
Florida Statute 163.04 (Solar Rights Act) preempts St. Petersburg HOAs from banning solar panels, allowing only limited placement guidance that does not impair operation.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Tarpon Springs, FL
Pinellas County
Florida Statute 163.04 preempts HOAs and the City of Tarpon Springs from prohibiting solar collectors, allowing only narrow placement decisions that do not impair operation, giving Tarpon Springs homeowners strong rights to install solar.
View full Tarpon Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | St. Petersburg | Tarpon Springs |
|---|---|---|
| State law | FS 163.04 Solar Rights Act | - |
| HOA bans | Preempted statewide | Not enforceable |
| Placement | Within 45 deg of south | - |
| Remedies | Civil suit, attorney fees | - |
| State preemption | - | FS 163.04 controls |
| Placement rule | - | South-facing 45 degrees |
| Remedy | - | Civil action, attorney fees |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Can my St. Petersburg HOA deny solar panels?
No. Florida Statute 163.04 preempts HOA bans on solar collectors. The HOA can only request a placement on the south-facing roof zone if performance is not impaired.
What if my St. Pete HOA still refuses solar?
You can file a civil action under FS 163.04 to void the restriction. Courts may order installation and award attorney fees, and the City does not require HOA approval to issue a solar permit.
Tarpon Springs FAQ
Can my Tarpon Springs HOA stop me from installing solar?
No. Florida Statute 163.04 prohibits HOAs from banning solar collectors. They can only specify placement within a south-facing arc that does not impair system performance.
What if my HOA denies my solar application?
Homeowners can sue to enforce Florida Statute 163.04 and may recover attorney fees if the HOA's restriction improperly impairs the installation or operation of the system.
Does this apply to deed restrictions in older neighborhoods?
Yes. The Solar Rights Act overrides existing deed restrictions, covenants, and declarations that would prohibit or effectively prohibit solar collector installation.
Compare other topics
See how St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool