Virginia protects homeowner solar rights under VA Code §67-701 (effective 2020). HOAs cannot prohibit solar, though they may impose reasonable restrictions on location and appearance. Many Norfolk-area HOAs in Ocean View and East Beach have updated covenants for compliance.
Under Virginia Code §67-701 (Property Owners Association Act amendment, effective 2020), no community association or homeowners association may prohibit an owner from installing a solar energy collection device on their property. HOAs may impose reasonable restrictions on the size, place, and manner of placement to maintain aesthetic harmony, but restrictions cannot significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency. This law covers most Norfolk planned communities, including Ocean View HOA developments, East Beach, Broad Creek, and Ghent Square. Restrictive covenants recorded before July 1, 2020 may be harder to enforce against solar. Disputes go to the Common Interest Community Board (CIC) at Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Homeowners should provide HOAs with installation plans but cannot be denied outright. Condominium associations have slightly different analysis under Condominium Act.
HOAs enforcing solar bans may face DPOR CIC complaint and civil action for damages.
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk prohibits habitual barking that disturbs neighbors under City Code Chapter 6 (Animals). A dog barking continuously for 20 minutes or intermittently f...
Norfolk, VA
Amplified music in Norfolk is prohibited if plainly audible at 50 feet from the source or inside another residence. Granby Street, Waterside District, and Gh...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 11 PM to 8 AM weekends under City Code Chapter 26. Plainly audible standard applies at 50 feet o...
Norfolk, VA
Virginia has no statutory shared-fence cost law. Norfolk property owners are individually responsible for fences on their own land. Boundary-line fences requ...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk requires all dogs off their owner's property to be leashed under City Code Chapter 6. Town Point Park, Ocean View Beach, and most city parks require ...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk limits households to a combined total of 4 dogs and cats over 4 months old without a kennel license. Kennel licenses require zoning approval. Militar...
See how Norfolk's hoa restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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