New York voids HOA bans on solar power and EV charging. Real Property Law § 342 (Solar Rights Act) makes any restriction effectively prohibiting a solar system unenforceable and void; RPL § 343 does the same for electric-vehicle charging stations. U.S.-flag display is protected by the federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act.
RPL § 342 provides that an HOA "may not adopt or enforce any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or use of a solar power system," and that any such restriction "is unenforceable and shall be void as contrary to public policy." It covers rooftop photovoltaic up to 25 kW and deems a limitation "unreasonable" if it cuts efficiency or raises cost by more than ten percent of installation. RPL § 343 mirrors this for electric-vehicle charging stations. Both still let an HOA restrict installations on commonly owned property. New York has no statewide political-sign override; U.S.-flag display is instead protected by the federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005.
An HOA rule that effectively bans rooftop solar or EV charging is void and unenforceable under RPL § 342 and § 343. A solar denial must give a written, detailed basis. Flag bans are unenforceable under federal law; political-sign disputes turn on the declaration.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Gates, NY
The Town of Gates regulates noise through its Code (eCode360 ID GA0050) and refers many quiet-hours questions to New York State Penal Law Section 240.20 (dis...
Monroe County, NY
City of Rochester prohibits on-street parking 2 AM to 6 AM year-round under Municipal Code §111-5 (alternate side not in effect; blanket overnight ban). Resi...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County towns specify approved fence materials in zoning codes. Wood, vinyl, chain-link, and wrought iron standard. Barbed wire banned in residential z...
Monroe County, NY
NY State Uniform Code (Residential Code §R404) requires engineered design for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing. Monroe County muni...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County does not have a separate countywide smoke-alarm ordinance; smoke-alarm requirements come from the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Bu...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County is not designated a high wildfire hazard area. No defensible space requirements. NY DEC Part 215 brush burn ban (March 16 – May 14) is the prim...
See how Gates's hoa vs. city rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.