North Carolina law overrides certain HOA restrictions. G.S. 22B-20 voids covenants that prohibit residential solar collectors (with narrow visibility exceptions). G.S. 47F-3-121 protects the display of the U.S. and North Carolina flags (up to 4'x6') and political signs by members on their own lots, subject to limited timing and size rules.
G.S. 22B-20 declares any covenant which "would prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, the installation of a solar collector" on most residential property "is void and unenforceable," though associations may restrict collectors visible from the street or facing common areas. G.S. 47F-3-121 bars land-use restrictions from regulating or prohibiting display of "the flag of the United States or North Carolina, of a size no greater than four feet by six feet," unless the declaration opts out in capital, boldface text. It also protects "the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on property owned exclusively by the member," though an HOA may bar political signs earlier than 45 days before, or later than seven days after, an election.
No penalty on the homeowner. These statutes void or limit HOA restrictions: covenants banning solar collectors are unenforceable, and rules banning compliant flags or properly timed political signs cannot be enforced against an owner on their own lot.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Durham, NC
Durham caps daytime sound at 60 dBA (8 AM to 11 PM) and nighttime sound at 50 dBA (11 PM to 8 AM) under Ch. 26, Sec. 26-23. Measured at property line using A...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO Section 9.9 limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards. Corner lots face additional restrictions along s...
Durham, NC
Durham does not require a permit for most residential fences or walls. Permits are required for retaining walls, pool barriers on single-family parcels, prop...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO Section 9.9 sets general fence standards including setbacks, orientation, and vision-clearance rules. Fences between structures and streets within...
Durham, NC
Durham requires a building permit for all retaining walls. Retaining walls over 4 feet at street frontage must be terraced in Design Districts. Walls over 8 ...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO 9.9 prohibits razor wire, concertina wire, and barbed wire in residential districts. Uncoated chain link is banned in CI and Design Districts.
See how Durham's hoa vs. city rules rules stack up against other locations.
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