Solar Panel Restrictions in Homeowners Associations Amendments

Homeowners gain solar protections but face costs

Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah law limits homeowners association solar bans while allowing owner costs and installation requirements. Only the association’s declaration—not other governing documents—can ban solar on qualifying homes. The law defines a detached dwelling as a home whose roof the association does not own. Attached homes qualify when the association neither owns nor must maintain, repair, or replace the roof or exterior. Every owner of an attached home in that building must also agree to installation. Adding a detached-home ban to a declaration requires approval from at least 67% of all allocated voting interests. Amending an existing ban requires at least 51% approval. Other restrictions must generally appear in the declaration or association rules. For detached homes, restrictions short of a ban cannot cut solar production or raise installation costs by more than 5% each. These limits also apply to permitted rules about system size, location, or placement, compared with installation without those rules. Associations can require owners to pay reasonable application-review costs and cover installation, maintenance, or use-related losses, including related attorney fees. They can also require a recorded deed restriction that keeps those repayment duties tied to the property. Owners must reimburse the association’s costs to process and enforce the declaration or rule. Systems must meet applicable state and local health, safety, and building requirements. Water-heating systems need certification from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or an equivalent organization. Electric systems must meet applicable safety and performance standards from the listed electrical standards bodies, accredited testing labs, or government authorities. Roof systems must stay below the roofline or match the roof’s color and texture. Ground systems must not be visible from the street.