Washington RCW 64.38.055 and RCW 64.90.510 prevent HOAs and condominium associations from prohibiting solar panels, while RCW 35.21.700 limits local government ability to ban solar collectors on residential property.
RCW 35.21.700 declares state policy to encourage solar energy use and prohibits cities and counties from imposing aesthetic regulations that effectively prohibit solar collectors. Permit fees and inspections still apply through local building departments under the Washington State Energy Code. RCW 64.38.055 voids HOA covenants that prohibit solar panels on owner property, allowing only reasonable rules on placement that do not significantly increase cost or decrease efficiency. The same protection extends to condominium associations under RCW 64.90.510.
HOAs or local agencies enforcing prohibitive solar restrictions face injunctive relief and attorney fee awards under RCW 64.38.055(3), with covenants deemed void and unenforceable as a matter of law.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver prohibits leaving any vehicle parked on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. Officers attach a notification sticker; if the vehicle ...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Municipal Code Chapter 20.912 governs all fences, walls, and retaining walls citywide. Residential fences have tiered height limits by yard locat...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver has no dedicated local ordinance banning wildlife feeding. Washington state law prohibits feeding large wild carnivores and, since May 2025, feedin...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows hens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and similar domestic animals in all zoning districts for hobby use with no minimum lot size. Roosters, turkeys,...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Land Use and Development Code (VMC Chapter 20.925) encourages but does not universally mandate native plants. For development projects, native an...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 8-foot residential accessory-structure height standa...
See how Vancouver's panel permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.