Florida HOA vs. State Law: Solar, Flags & Gardens

Section 163.04 states a 'deed restriction, covenant, declaration, or similar binding agreement may not prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors,' though the association may set placement within 45 degrees of due south if it does not impair efficiency. Section 720.304(2) lets a homeowner display a portable U.S. flag and erect a freestanding flagpole up to 20 feet to fly the U.S., Florida, military, POW-MIA, and first-responder flags regardless of contrary covenants. Section 720.3075 protects Florida-friendly landscaping (per s. 373.185), and HB 1203 (2024) bars associations from restricting items, including vegetable gardens, not visible from the frontage. Separately, § 604.71 provides that a 'county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state may not regulate vegetable' gardens on residential property, voiding such local ordinances; it limits governments, not HOAs.

An HOA covenant that prohibits solar collectors, U.S. flag display, Florida-friendly landscaping, or non-visible vegetable gardens is void and unenforceable to that extent. An owner can recover attorney fees in a solar-collector dispute under § 163.04. A city or county ordinance regulating residential vegetable gardens is void under § 604.71.