Arizona law (ARS 33-1816) strongly protects homeowners' rights to install solar panels. HOAs cannot prohibit solar installations or impose restrictions that increase cost by more than $1,000 or decrease efficiency by more than 10%. Tempe has significant solar potential given the extreme sun exposure. Many Tempe homes and businesses have solar installations.
Arizona's solar rights law (ARS 33-1816) is one of the strongest in the nation. HOAs cannot prohibit the installation of solar panels or impose conditions that increase cost by more than $1,000 or decrease system efficiency by more than 10%. This means HOAs cannot require panels to be hidden from view or placed only on non-street-facing roofs if that significantly reduces generation capacity. Any HOA restrictions that violate this statute are void and unenforceable. Tempe, with approximately 300+ days of sunshine per year and peak summer temperatures well over 100°F, has excellent solar generation potential. Rooftop solar is increasingly common throughout the city. APS (Arizona Public Service) and SRP (Salt River Project) are the primary utilities serving Tempe and offer varying net metering and distributed generation programs. Solar installations require a building permit from the city for electrical and structural components. The permit process has been streamlined for standard residential installations.
HOA restrictions violating ARS 33-1816 are void and unenforceable. Homeowners can enforce their solar rights through civil action.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exc...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance (Chapter 20) and animal control regulations. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors ca...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on dirt, gravel, or landscaped areas is prohibited. ...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, masonry walls, and fences...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's Zoning and Development Code regulates fence materials in residential zones. Common permitted materials include block, stucco, wrought iron, wood, vin...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's zoning code limits residential fence heights to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Corner lots may have additional visibility t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle hoa restrictions.
See how Tempe's hoa restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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