Civil Code section 714 voids HOA covenants and rules that prohibit or unreasonably restrict residential solar energy systems, preempting private and local restrictions.
California's Solar Rights Act, codified primarily at Civil Code section 714, declares that any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, or governing document of a common interest development that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable. HOAs may impose reasonable restrictions, defined as those that do not significantly increase cost (over $1,000 for solar water heating or $1,000 for photovoltaic, with some inflation adjustments) or significantly decrease efficiency (more than 10 percent). Civil Code section 714.1 limits associations' ability to require approval for systems on owner-exclusive use areas. AB 634 (2017) further restricts HOA control over solar on common-area roofs of multifamily buildings.
HOA enforcement of void restrictions exposes associations to attorney fee awards under Civil Code 714(f). Owners may seek injunctive relief and damages. Statewide preemption applies regardless of local ordinances.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Vacaville, CA
Vacaville enforces California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115921-115929) and California Building Code Section 3109. Every new or remodel...
Vacaville, CA
Vacaville Municipal Code 14.09.200 permits standard fence materials including wood, masonry, brick, wrought iron, and vinyl. Barbed wire, razor wire, ultra-b...
Vacaville, CA
Vacaville has no special neighbor-fence ordinance - California Civil Code 841 (the 2014 Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs shared boundary fences. Adjoining la...
Vacaville, CA
Vacaville follows the California Building Code as adopted in VMC Title 15 - fences 7 feet tall or less are typically exempt from a building permit under CBC ...
Vacaville, CA
Vacaville Municipal Code 14.09.200 (General Site Regulations) caps residential fences at 6 feet outside required setbacks and 3 feet within 5 feet of the bac...
Vacaville, CA
Vacaville Municipal Code limits residential households to three dogs and three cats over four months old per lot, plus six adult rabbits. Higher counts requi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Solano County.
See how Vacaville'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.