A Harford County HOA cannot unreasonably restrict rooftop solar on a roof the owner controls. Under Maryland law, a covenant is unreasonable if it raises installation cost at least 5 percent or cuts energy output at least 10 percent.
Md. Code, Real Property §2-119 overrides HOA and covenant restrictions that unreasonably limit solar. A restriction is unreasonable if it increases installation cost by at least 5 percent over the initially proposed installation, or reduces energy generated by at least 10 percent below the initial proposal. The protection covers a solar collector on the roof or exterior walls the owner owns or exclusively uses, which reaches most single-family homes in Harford County's planned communities around Bel Air, Abingdon, and Fallston. An association may still set reasonable rules on placement and may restrict panels on common-area roofs, and the owner must document that a given restriction crosses the 5 or 10 percent threshold, using a certified solar specialist.
An HOA that denies or fines a compliant rooftop installation on the owner's own roof is enforcing a limitation Maryland law makes unenforceable, exposing the association to a court challenge and liability.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Harford County, MD
No Harford County or Maryland law limits holiday lights, inflatables, or yard displays. A homeowner can decorate without a county permit. The only real limit...
Harford County, MD
A garage-sale sign on your own lawn is fine in Harford County under the county's temporary-sign rules. But a sign staked in a state highway right-of-way, on ...
Harford County, MD
Political signs are fine on your own lawn in Harford County, subject to neutral limits. County zoning caps a temporary sign at 32 square feet and 6 feet high...
Harford County, MD
Harford County requires no general rental license, but Maryland does require registration. Every owner of a pre-1978 rental must register each unit with the ...
Harford County, MD
Maryland requires no just cause to end a tenancy, and Harford County has added none. A landlord evicts only through District Court, never self-help, but may ...
Harford County, MD
Harford County has no rent control. Maryland sets no statewide cap and does not preempt local rent stabilization, so a county or town may adopt one; Harford ...
See how Harford County's hoa restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.