Federal Way, WA Solar Energy: HOA Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- RCW 64.38.055 protects solar
- Allowed HOA rules
- Aesthetic placement only
- Full bans
- Not enforceable
- Local preemption
- Federal Way defers to state
Summary
Washington RCW 64.38.055 bars homeowner associations from prohibiting solar collectors on homes, though they may adopt reasonable aesthetic rules. Federal Way has no stricter local preemption.
RCW 64.38.055 Governing documents — Solar panels. (Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) The governing documents may not prohibit the installation of a solar energy panel by an owner or resident on the owner's or resident's property as long as the solar energy panel:
(a) Meets applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities;
(b) If used to heat water, is certified by the solar rating certification corporation or another nationally recognized certification agency. Certification must be for the solar energy panel and for installation; and
(c) If used to produce electricity, meets all applicable safety and performance standards established by the national electric code, the institute of electrical and electronics engineers, accredited testing laboratories, such as underwriters laboratories, and, where applicable, rules of the utilities and transportation commission regarding safety and reliability.
(2) The governing documents may:
(a) Prohibit the visibility of any part of a roof-mounted solar energy panel above the roofline;
(b) Permit the attachment of a solar energy panel to the slope of a roof facing a street only if:
(i) The solar energy panel conforms to the slope of the roof; and
(ii) The top edge of the solar energy panel is parallel to the roof ridge; or
Full Breakdown
Washington state law RCW 64.38.055 limits the power of homeowner associations to block solar energy systems on member homes. HOAs may adopt reasonable rules regarding placement, color, and visibility from the street, but they cannot ban rooftop PV outright or impose rules that significantly impair the system's economics or performance. Federal Way does not have a local ordinance that overrides this state protection. A Federal Way HOA can, for example, require that panels match the roof color or be placed on the rear slope when technically feasible, but it cannot require 40 percent shade tolerance or an impossible aesthetic standard. Ground-mount arrays are more subject to HOA architectural review. Disputes generally go through the HOA internal process and can be escalated to civil court; the Washington Attorney General and the Washington Solar Energy Industries Association both publish guidance documents for homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Federal Way HOA stop me from installing solar?
What if the HOA denies my solar permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Federal Way
Compare Federal Way to another location·View the Washington solar energy overview
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HOA Restrictions in Nearby Cities
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