California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code §714) provides strong protections for homeowners installing solar panels in unincorporated Orange County. HOAs cannot prohibit solar installations or impose restrictions that increase system cost by more than $1,000. Unreasonable aesthetic requirements that significantly reduce system efficiency are void and unenforceable.
Under California Civil Code §714 (the Solar Rights Act), any CC&R provision or HOA rule that effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts the installation of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable. An HOA may impose reasonable restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system (the threshold is $1,000 above the system cost) or significantly decrease its efficiency. HOAs cannot deny solar installations based on visual harmony, roofline uniformity, or community character alone. If an HOA does not respond to a solar installation application within 45 days, the application is deemed approved by default. Civil Code §714.1 further protects solar easements. Government Code §65850.5 requires local agencies (including Orange County) to administratively approve small residential rooftop solar systems. Many unincorporated Orange County communities (Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Trabuco Canyon) have active HOAs, but all are subject to these state protections.
An HOA that violates the Solar Rights Act may be liable for actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees under Civil Code §714(g). Homeowners can seek declaratory relief in court to void unlawful restrictions. The California Department of Real Estate also oversees HOA compliance.
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See how Orange County's hoa restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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