NCGS 22B-20 prohibits HOAs from banning solar panels on single-family homes in Winston-Salem. HOAs may impose reasonable restrictions on location and appearance but cannot make solar economically infeasible. Statute applies to covenants recorded after 2008.
North Carolina solar access law (NCGS 22B-20), enacted in 2007 and strengthened since, preempts most HOA restrictions on solar energy systems. The statute voids any deed restriction, covenant, or similar agreement that prohibits the installation of a solar collector on single-family residential property. HOAs may still adopt reasonable rules governing location (e.g., preferring rear-facing roof slopes when they provide comparable energy output) and appearance (e.g., color-matching mounting hardware), but these rules cannot significantly increase costs or decrease efficiency beyond reasonable thresholds. The statute applies to covenants recorded after October 1, 2007. If your HOA denies a solar application, the burden is on the HOA to demonstrate that alternative placements offer comparable performance. Townhomes and condominiums have limited protection because the statute focuses on single-family detached homes; shared roofs are governed by HOA rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem driveways require permits for new curb cuts and must meet UDO standards for width and paving material. Residential driveways limited to 24 feet...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem street parking is free in residential areas with 72-hour maximum stays. Downtown has metered parking with enforcement 8 AM to 6 PM Monday throu...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem defines abandoned vehicles as those parked on public streets over 72 hours or inoperative vehicles on private property. Police tag suspicious v...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 1 ton in residential zoning districts. Semi-trucks, dump trucks, and large delivery vehicles cann...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is not in a designated high-severity wildfire zone, but wooded neighborhoods along Salem Creek, Muddy Creek, and the western edge near Pilot Mo...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from stru...
See how Winston-Salem'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.