Do HOAs in Arizona Allow Solar Panels? Your Rights and What to Expect

zjalomari
3 days ago
4 min read

Are you considering solar energy for your home in Phoenix? Now is the perfect time to harness the power of the sun and take advantage of significant savings through federal and state tax credits. Our team at Phoenix Valley Solar can help you navigate these incentives and maximize your savings. You can also use our Arizona Solar Calculator to get an estimate of your potential benefits.

You’re ready to go solar — your roof is ideal, the incentives are strong, and your utility bill keeps climbing.

But then a question pops up:

“Will my HOA allow solar panels?”

In Arizona, many homeowners live in neighborhoods governed by Homeowner Associations (HOAs) — and while HOAs can influence the appearance of your property, they cannot stop you from installing solar.

Here’s what Arizona homeowners need to know about solar rights, HOA rules, and how to avoid delays when going solar in an HOA-controlled community.

1. Arizona Law Protects Your Right to Install Solar

Under Arizona Revised Statute § 33-439, HOAs cannot prohibit the installation or use of solar energy devices.

This includes:

Rooftop solar panels
Ground-mounted solar (on some properties)
Solar water heating systems
Solar pool heating

This means: Even if your HOA has strict design guidelines, they cannot block your solar project outright.

2. What Can HOAs Regulate?

While HOAs cannot ban solar, they can request “reasonable restrictions” related to aesthetics, as long as those restrictions:

Don’t significantly increase installation costs
Don’t significantly reduce system efficiency or performance

This might include:

Asking you to move panels to the back of the home if it won’t reduce performance
Coordinating conduit colors to match the roof or wall
Limiting reflective or glare-producing hardware

If their request causes a major drop in system output or increases your cost, you are protected under state law and can contest the restriction.

3. How to Work with Your HOA — Not Against It

To keep your solar project on track:

Get your design and layout done first
Have your installer submit a formal application to the HOA
Include a system performance summary to justify panel placement
Allow 15–30 days for approval (timeline may vary)

At Phoenix Valley Solar, we handle HOA submissions on behalf of our customers, including:

Design schematics
Equipment spec sheets
Letters explaining compliance with state law

Our goal is to make approval smooth — and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.

4. Common Solar HOA Myths in Arizona

Myth #1: “HOAs can deny solar if it’s visible from the street.” ✅ False. Visibility is not legal grounds for denial under ARS § 33-439.

Myth #2: “I can only install solar if it’s on the back side of my roof.” ✅ False. Placement must be optimized for production — not just aesthetics.

Myth #3: “I need HOA approval before signing a solar contract.” ✅ Not always. You can design and quote your system before HOA approval — installation just can’t begin until approval is granted.

5. What If the HOA Tries to Deny or Delay My Project?

You have rights. If your HOA:

Refuses to review your application
Delays approval for months
Requests changes that harm system output

…you can cite Arizona law and request formal justification.

In extreme cases, homeowners have pursued legal recourse — but in most cases, HOAs respond appropriately when educated about the statute.

We also provide performance comparisons to show how proposed changes would reduce system output — a strong argument for preserving your original layout.

6. Special Considerations for Townhomes, Duplexes, and Condos

If you share a roof (or the roof is HOA-maintained), solar may still be possible — but you’ll need:

HOA permission
Engineering review
Proof of sole usage and metering

In some communities, the HOA may allow shared solar systems or ground-mounted solutions in common areas. Ask early — and we’ll help explore options.

7. Why Phoenix Valley Solar Handles the HOA Process for You

We’ve worked with HOAs across the Valley — from Scottsdale to Surprise, Chandler to Cave Creek.

Our team knows how to:

Navigate design approvals
Communicate with HOA managers professionally
Avoid costly installation delays
Ensure your system meets legal protections and HOA guidelines

We’re proud to be the best solar company in Phoenix for homeowners in HOA communities — because we do the work others avoid.

Live in an HOA? You Can Still Go Solar — And We’ll Help You Do It Right.

Contact Phoenix Valley Solar today for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your roof, handle the HOA paperwork, and make sure you get a powerful, compliant system that saves you money and looks great doing it.