North Richland Hills, TX Solar Energy: HOA Restrictions (2026)

Texas Property Code Section 202.010, enacted in 2011, strongly protects homeowners' rights to install solar energy devices despite private HOA restrictions. HOAs cannot include or enforce provisions that prohibit or restrict installation of a solar energy device on property owned by the member. HOAs may regulate placement only if the regulation does not increase system cost by more than 10 percent of the total installation or reduce output by more than 10 percent of the intended production. HOAs may require panels to conform to the roof slope, require conduit to be painted to match the roof or wall, prohibit installation on common areas or on parts of the roof not specifically owned by the homeowner, and require the homeowner to submit plans for review. Ground-mount systems in the front yard may be limited. The homeowner has the burden of providing detailed specifications and documentation of any reduction in efficiency or increase in cost when challenging an HOA denial. Many NRH HOAs (Hometown, Birdville, Woodland Oaks, Forest Glenn) have updated CCRs to reflect this statute. Disputes are generally resolved through the HOA's internal process and Texas courts rather than the city.