Solar Energy
Solar panel permits, installation rules, and HOA restrictions.
Solar is the rare subject where the strongest local rules are prohibitions on prohibiting. State solar-rights statutes void HOA bans and unreasonable restrictions, and a growing set of laws requires cities to permit standard rooftop systems quickly or automatically. What remains for the municipal code is mostly process.
Real discretion survives at the edges. Ground-mounted arrays and solar farms meet genuine zoning, historic districts can still constrain street-visible panels, and interconnection belongs to the utility, which no city ordinance controls.
All 50 States: Solar Energy at the State Level
Each tile shows the strongest state-level rule for that state. Click a state to see its full statewide rules and how local cities are constrained.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
What's Covered
Panel Permits
Permits required for installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels, including electrical inspections and interconnection approvals.
HOA Restrictions
State and local laws that limit what HOAs can restrict when it comes to solar panel installation, placement, and appearance.
Expedited Solar Permitting
California SB-379 (and equivalent laws) requiring cities to offer same-day or near-same-day automated solar permits, plus SolarAPP+ adoption.