2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Solar panel installations require building and electrical permits under 780 CMR and MA Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00). Boston offers streamlined solar permitting through ISD with online applications. MA Solar Access Law (MGL c. 40A, §9B) protects solar installations from unreasonable local restriction. Fire setback: 18 inches from ridge, 36 inches clear pathway per IRC Section R324.
MGL c. 40A, § 9B (Solar access)
Section 9B. Zoning ordinances or by-laws adopted or amended pursuant to section five of this chapter may encourage the use of solar energy systems and protect solar access by regulation of the orientation of streets, lots and buildings, maximum building height limits, minimum building set back requirements, limitations on the type, height and placement of vegetation and other provisions. Zoning...
Massachusetts protects solar installations from HOA/condo restrictions under MGL c. 40A, §9B, which bars unreasonable local restrictions, and MGL c. 184, §23C, which voids deed restrictions that prohibit solar. Suffolk County condos cannot ban panels on unit-owner-exclusive roofs or decks but may impose reasonable aesthetic rules.
MGL c. 184, § 23C (Solar energy systems; installation or use; restrictive provisions)
Section 23C. Any provision in an instrument relative to the ownership or use of real property which purports to forbid or unreasonably restrict the installation or use of a solar energy system as defined in section one A of chapter forty A or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy shall be void.
1 cities in Suffolk County have their own solar energy rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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