Florida Statute 163.04 (Solar Rights Act) preempts St. Petersburg HOAs from banning solar panels, allowing only limited placement guidance that does not impair operation.
Florida Statute 163.04, the Solar Rights Act, preempts deed restrictions, covenants, and HOA rules in St. Petersburg from prohibiting solar collectors or other renewable energy devices. An HOA may suggest a specific roof location only if the panels can still be oriented within 45 degrees east or west of due south without impairing performance. HOAs cannot require ground mounts, screening that reduces output, or aesthetic vetoes that effectively prevent installation. Disputes are handled in civil court, and the prevailing homeowner can recover attorney fees in some cases. The City of St. Petersburg does not add aesthetic review for residential rooftop solar beyond Florida Building Code permits.
HOAs that violate FS 163.04 can be sued by homeowners; courts may void the restriction, order installation, and award attorney fees and damages to the prevailing homeowner.
St. Petersburg, FL
Industrial and commercial operations in St. Petersburg must meet the Chapter 11 plainly-audible standards at zoning boundaries, with stricter limits where in...
St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg restricts leaf blower use to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays and holidays, and prohibits blowing yard debris in...
St. Petersburg, FL
Loud exhausts, modified mufflers, and car stereos audible at 25 feet or more are prohibited under FL 316.272 (state law) and St. Petersburg Code Chapter 11. ...
St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg restricts amplified music and vehicle stereos under Chapter 11, banning sound plainly audible 50 feet from a vehicle and tightening downtown e...
St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg enforces quiet hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. under Chapter 11, with 'plainly audible' distance standards rather than decibel readings for resid...
St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg enforces Florida Building Code Section 424.2.17 and Florida Statute Chapter 515 requiring 4-foot pool barriers, self-latching gates, and appro...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle hoa restrictions.
See how St. Petersburg's hoa restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.