In the Dirt: A Real Estate Legal Update

Solar panels may be a source of controversy in residential neighborhoods. On one side of the debate are homeowners wishing to invest in renewable energy and take advantage of any available federal tax credits. On the other side are homeowners who purchased their homes in reliance upon the protection that a homeowner’s association (“HOA”) would offer by maintaining preferred aesthetics, abating nuisances, and preserving property value. As a result, HOAs need to know whether they are permitted to regulate the use of solar panels by their residents.

Municipalities adopt zoning ordinances in order to regulate the use of land within their boundaries and to provide for future growth without over-taxing their infrastructure and other resources.