Solar Energy in Massachusetts (2026)
25 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 15 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Panel Permits
Permits required for installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar panels, including electrical inspections and interconnection approvals.
Massachusetts: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsM.G.L. Chapter 40A Section 3 protects solar installations from unreasonable local zoning restrictions. State law…
Read full rule →Leominster
Significant RestrictionsEvery solar energy system in Leominster needs a building permit, and any larger ground-mounted array also needs…
Read full rule →Boston
Some RestrictionsSolar panel installations in Boston require a building permit from ISD and an electrical permit. Massachusetts law (MGL…
Read full rule →Bristol County
Some RestrictionsSolar installations in Bristol County require building and electrical permits under 780 CMR and 527 CMR. Massachusetts…
Read full rule →Lowell
Some RestrictionsLowell requires building and electrical permits for solar PV installations, with Historic Board review in historic…
Read full rule →Lynn
Some RestrictionsGround-mounted solar arrays in Lynn need a Special Permit and Site Plan Review under Zoning Ordinance Section 8.H…
Read full rule →Norfolk County
Some RestrictionsNorfolk County has no solar permit role. MA protects solar as-of-right under MGL c. 40A §3. Quincy, Brookline, and…
Read full rule →Quincy
Some RestrictionsQuincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) requires an electrical permit to install a photovoltaic system, with a flat $50…
Read full rule →Taunton
Some RestrictionsTaunton requires a building permit before any solar array goes up, plus a separate electrical permit, under City Code…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Light RestrictionsCambridge treats solar arrays as a permitted accessory system under a standard building permit, but zoning protection…
Read full rule →Chelsea
Light RestrictionsChelsea's code has no citywide solar permitting article; the only solar-specific text sits in the Transit Community…
Read full rule →Newton
Few RestrictionsNewton uses the state streamlined solar permit process with plan review typically completed in 7-14 days. Rooftop…
Read full rule →Plymouth County
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts law bars any town zoning bylaw from prohibiting or unreasonably regulating solar energy systems, except…
Read full rule →Somerville
Few RestrictionsSolar installations in Somerville need ISD building and electrical permits. Most rooftop systems qualify for expedited…
Read full rule →Waltham
Few RestrictionsWaltham requires building and electrical permits for solar installations, with expedited review under Massachusetts…
Read full rule →HOA Restrictions
State and local laws that limit what HOAs can restrict when it comes to solar panel installation, placement, and appearance.
Massachusetts: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 184, § 23C makes void any provision in an instrument relative to the ownership or use of real property that…
Read full rule →Boston
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts law (MGL c.40A §9B) protects solar access rights and limits the ability of municipalities to restrict…
Read full rule →Bristol County
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts MGL ch. 184 §23C limits private restrictions on solar energy systems. HOAs and condo associations may…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Few RestrictionsUnder MGL c.40A s.3, Massachusetts protects solar access by prohibiting zoning or private restrictions that…
Read full rule →Lowell
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts MGL c.40A s.3 preempts most local and HOA restrictions on solar, so Lowell condo associations and HOAs…
Read full rule →Newton
Few RestrictionsUnder MGL c.40A s.3, Newton HOAs and condo associations cannot unreasonably restrict solar panel installations…
Read full rule →Norfolk County
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts has no solar-access statute protecting homeowners from HOA/condo bans. Unlike CA or FL, MA condo…
Read full rule →Somerville
Few RestrictionsState law, not Somerville's own code, decides this one: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3 bars any…
Read full rule →Springfield
Few RestrictionsSpringfield residents in HOA communities benefit from state solar access laws that limit HOA ability to prohibit solar…
Read full rule →Expedited Solar Permitting
California SB-379 (and equivalent laws) requiring cities to offer same-day or near-same-day automated solar permits, plus SolarAPP+ adoption.