Guides · California · solar

Can a California HOA stop you installing solar?

Short answer: no. California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code § 714) makes any HOA rule that effectively prohibits or restricts a solar energy system void. Your association can still ask for reasonable changes and run its normal review — within limits the law spells out.

What the law says

Cal. Civ. Code § 714

California law (Civil Code § 714) makes any HOA rule that effectively prohibits a solar energy system void.

A covenant that effectively prohibits or restricts installation of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 714(e)(2)(B)

Your HOA has 45 days from receiving a solar application to approve or deny it in writing. If they don't, California law (Civil Code § 714) deems it approved — unless they reasonably asked for more information.

An association must approve or deny a solar application in writing within 45 days of receipt; otherwise it is deemed approved, unless the delay results from a reasonable request for additional information.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 714(d)(1)(A) (as amended by AB 2188, 2014)

An HOA can ask for reasonable changes, but not ones that add more than $1,000 to the cost of your solar system (Civil Code § 714, as amended by AB 2188).

A restriction is not 'reasonable' if it increases the cost of the solar energy system by more than $1,000.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 714(d)(1)(A) (as amended by AB 2188, 2014)

An HOA can't require changes that cut your solar system's performance by more than 10% (Civil Code § 714, as amended by AB 2188).

A restriction is not 'reasonable' if it decreases the efficiency or specified performance of the system by more than 10%.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 714(f)

An HOA that willfully violates California's Solar Rights Act can owe actual damages plus a civil penalty of up to $1,000 (Civil Code § 714(f)).

An entity other than a public entity that willfully violates § 714 is liable for actual damages and a civil penalty up to $1,000.

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Cal. Civ. Code § 4600 et seq. (AB 634, 2017)

Your HOA cannot make you win a membership vote to put solar on your own roof (AB 634, 2017).

An association may not require a vote of the members to approve installation of a rooftop solar energy system, and may not adopt a policy prohibiting rooftop solar for household purposes on the roof of the building in which the owner resides.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 4765(a)(4)

A California HOA must give you its architectural decision in writing, and a denial has to explain why and tell you how to ask for reconsideration (Civil Code § 4765).

A decision on a proposed physical change shall be in writing. If a proposed change is disapproved, the written decision must include an explanation of why it was disapproved and a description of the procedure for reconsideration.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 4765(a)(5)

If your application is denied, you are entitled to have the board reconsider it at an open board meeting (Civil Code § 4765).

If a proposed change is disapproved, the applicant is entitled to reconsideration by the board at an open meeting of the board.

Read the statute

Cal. Civ. Code § 4765(c)

Your HOA has to send members a yearly notice of what needs architectural approval, including a copy of its procedure (Civil Code § 4765(c)).

An association shall annually provide its members with notice of any requirements for association approval of physical changes, describing the types of changes that require approval and including a copy of the procedure.

Read the statute

How long does a California HOA have to respond?

45 days from the day the association receives a solar application. If it doesn't approve or deny in writing within that time, the application is deemed approved. The clock can stop running while the association has a reasonable, outstanding request for more information.

Two practical consequences. First, send the application in a way that proves when it was received, and keep that proof. Second, answer any information request quickly and completely, because a reasonable request for more information can hold the 45-day clock.

What your HOA can still require

An association may impose reasonable restrictions — on placement, for example, or how conduit is run. A restriction stops being reasonable when it adds more than $1,000 to the cost of the system or when it cuts its efficiency or specified performance by more than 10%.

It can also apply ordinary architectural process: an application form, a site plan and panel layout, equipment specifications, and proof of a licensed contractor. Supplying those completely the first time is most of what gets an application decided quickly.

What it can't do is make you win a vote of the membership to put solar on your own roof.

If your HOA denies a solar application

Get the denial in writing, with the specific rule it relies on.
Check that rule against § 714: does it effectively prohibit the system, or push the cost or performance past the limits above?
Reply in writing, courteously, citing the statute, and offer any alternative that stays within those limits.
If it stays denied, talk to an attorney. A willful violation can make the association liable for actual damages and a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

wHOA handles this for you. We prepare the application, submit it the way your association accepts submissions, track the deadline that applies, and follow up until there's a decision. Free if your contractor works with us. Request a free pre-check or see how it works for contractors.

This is general information about the law in your state, not legal advice about your situation. Talk to an attorney before relying on it.

Statutes reviewed September 2026. Laws change; verify before relying on this.