D.C. Owner Protections vs. HOA Rules: Solar & Flag (D.C. Code § 8-1774.51)

D.C. Code § 8-1774.51 bars homeowners, condominium, and cooperative housing associations from prohibiting an owner from installing a solar energy collection device on the owner's property or residential unit, or on a roof that covers only that one unit, even if the roof is a common element. Associations may still bar solar on shared common elements (other than single-unit roofs), set reasonable nuisance-prevention guidelines, and assign maintenance responsibility, but may not impose aesthetic restrictions. For flags, the federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act (4 U.S.C. § 5) prevents banning display of the U.S. flag on an owner's property, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner rules; D.C. has no separate flag or sign statute, so sign rules turn on the declaration.

An association that bans rooftop solar on a single-unit roof or relies on aesthetic objections violates § 8-1774.51; banning the U.S. flag violates the federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act. No specific statutory penalty; owners enforce by suit.