Indiana overrides several HOA restrictions. Ind. Code § 32-25.5-3.5 stops an HOA from blocking a solar energy system once an owner gathers consent from the lesser of 65% of owners or the declaration's amendment threshold. Indiana also protects U.S. flag display and, under Ind. Code § 32-21-13, election-period political signs. There is no Indiana clothesline or EV-charging statute.
Indiana's strongest HOA-override is its solar law, Ind. Code § 32-25.5-3.5 (2022 HEA 1196): where covenants or board guidelines "prohibit, restrict, or limit the installation of solar energy systems," an owner may petition, and once the owner obtains signatures equal to the lesser of the declaration's amendment threshold or 65% of owners, the board or architectural control committee "may not deny" the request - though the HOA keeps reasonable placement and aesthetic rules and the limited removal grounds in § 32-25.5-3.5-5. Indiana also protects U.S. flag display by members, and under Ind. Code § 32-21-13 an HOA "may not adopt or enforce a rule that prohibits" a member's political sign from 30 days before to 5 days after the election, subject to reasonable size, number, and location limits. Indiana has no statute protecting clotheslines or EV charging stations, so those remain governed by the declaration.
An HOA that denies a qualifying solar request after the owner meets the § 32-25.5-3.5 consent threshold, bans a U.S. flag, or removes an election-period political sign protected by Ind. Code § 32-21-13 is acting contrary to statute. For clotheslines or EV charging, no Indiana override exists, so the covenant generally controls.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
St. Joseph County, IN
St. Joseph County does not regulate holiday lights, inflatables, or yard displays on homes. No county or municipal ordinance limits seasonal decorations; onl...
St. Joseph County, IN
Garage-sale signs are temporary signs in St. Joseph County, up to 24 square feet per frontage and two per lot in residential districts under Zoning Ordinance...
St. Joseph County, IN
St. Joseph County allows political yard signs as temporary signs. Zoning Ordinance §154.373 exempts signs up to 2 square feet from permits; a larger temporar...
St. Joseph County, IN
South Bend requires every non-occupant landlord to register rentals annually by September 1. Indiana Code 36-1-20-5 caps the fee at five dollars. Unincorpora...
St. Joseph County, IN
Indiana has no just-cause eviction. In St. Joseph County a landlord may end a tenancy without giving a reason. For unpaid rent, IC 32-31-1-6 requires at leas...
St. Joseph County, IN
Rent control is illegal in St. Joseph County. Indiana Code 32-31-1-20 bars any unit, including South Bend, Mishawaka, and the county, from regulating rental ...
See how St. Joseph County'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.