North Carolina Limits on HOA Power: Solar, Flags & Political Signs (G.S. 22B-20, 47F-3-121)

G.S. 22B-20 declares any covenant which "would prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, the installation of a solar collector" on most residential property "is void and unenforceable," though associations may restrict collectors visible from the street or facing common areas. G.S. 47F-3-121 bars land-use restrictions from regulating or prohibiting display of "the flag of the United States or North Carolina, of a size no greater than four feet by six feet," unless the declaration opts out in capital, boldface text. It also protects "the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on property owned exclusively by the member," though an HOA may bar political signs earlier than 45 days before, or later than seven days after, an election.

No penalty on the homeowner. These statutes void or limit HOA restrictions: covenants banning solar collectors are unenforceable, and rules banning compliant flags or properly timed political signs cannot be enforced against an owner on their own lot.