Sacramento County, CA Solar Energy: HOA Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- Civil Code 714
- Cost Cap
- Cannot increase >$1,000
- Efficiency
- Cannot reduce >10 percent
- Review
- 45 days or auto-approved
- Fees
- Homeowner recovers if prevails
Summary
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs and CC&Rs from banning or unreasonably restricting solar panel installation. Restrictions that increase cost by more than $1,000 or reduce efficiency by more than 10 percent are void. HOAs must approve or deny solar applications within 45 days.
(a) Any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any interest in, real property, and any provision of a governing document, as defined in Section 4150 or 6552, that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable.
(b) This section does not apply to provisions that impose reasonable restrictions on solar energy systems. However, it is the policy of the state to promote and encourage the use of solar energy systems and to remove obstacles thereto. Accordingly, reasonable restrictions on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits.
(e) (1) Whenever approval is required for the installation or use of a solar energy system, the application for approval shall be processed and approved by the appropriate approving entity in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property, and shall not be willfully avoided or delayed.
(2) For an approving entity that is an association, as defined in Section 4080 or 6528, and that is not a public entity, both of the following shall apply:
(A) The approval or denial of an application shall be in writing.
(B) If an application is not denied in writing within 45 days from the date of receipt of the application, the application shall be deemed approved, unless that delay is the result of a reasonable request for additional information.
Full Breakdown
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) applies to all unincorporated Sacramento County HOA communities. The law voids any CC&R, bylaw, or rule that prohibits or unreasonably restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system. Reasonable restrictions are those that do not significantly increase cost (defined in Civil Code 714 as more than $1,000 over system cost as amended by AB 634/2017, after which restrictions cannot increase cost by more than $1,000 or reduce efficiency by more than 10 percent for PV systems). HOAs may require applications and architectural approval but must process them within 45 days; failure to respond in 45 days equals automatic approval. HOAs may not require owners to obtain HOA approval as a condition of obtaining a permit. AB 634 (2017) further limited HOA power over common-area solar. HOA violations can be challenged in civil court; prevailing homeowners are entitled to attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my HOA deny my solar panels?
What if my HOA doesn't respond to my solar application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California solar energy overview
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