San Bernardino County, CA Solar Energy: HOA Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Civil Code 714 prevents HOA bans on solar
- Fees
- Restrictions cannot add $1,000 cost or reduce efficiency 10%
- Permit/License
- Review deadline: 45 days or automatic approval
- Authority
- Civil Code 4746 protects condo rooftop solar rights
- Fees
- Violators face up to $1,000 civil penalty
Summary
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs in San Bernardino County from banning solar panels, limiting restrictions to reasonable placement that does not significantly reduce efficiency or raise cost.
714. (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.
Full Breakdown
California Civil Code section 714 (the Solar Rights Act) and Civil Code 4600 make unenforceable any HOA provision that effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts installation of solar energy systems. This applies to all master-planned HOAs in San Bernardino County including Chino Hills, Etiwanda, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and Victorville communities. HOAs may impose reasonable restrictions only if they do not significantly increase cost (defined as more than $1,000 over system cost) or significantly decrease efficiency (more than 10 percent reduction in output). Architectural review must be completed within 45 days or approval is automatic under Civil Code 714(e)(2)(B).
HOAs cannot require screening, relocation to less efficient areas, or use of specific aesthetic shingles that reduce output. Civil Code 4746 extends these protections to common area rooftops in multifamily condominiums, giving individual owners the right to install solar on their exclusive-use common area roof with reasonable allocation of roof area. HOAs may set reasonable aesthetic standards like color-matched conduit, ground-mount setbacks, and screening of ground-mount equipment from street view if such measures do not significantly impair system performance or increase cost. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $1,000 per Civil Code 714(f).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my HOA require me to put solar panels on the back of my house?
What if my HOA ignores my solar application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California solar energy overview
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