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Arizona

Arizona

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

Printable Version
Solar Energy Covenant Restrictions
Last DSIRE Review: 08/18/2009  
Incentive Type: Solar Access Law/Guideline
State: Arizona
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Solar Pool Heating, Daylighting
Applicable Sectors: Residential
Web Site: http://www.azcommerce.com/energy.htm
Authority 1: A.R.S. §33-439
Date Enacted:1979
Authority 2: A.R.S. § 33-1816
Date Enacted:7/2/2007
Date Effective:9/19/2007



Summary:
Arizona law protects individual homeowners’ private property rights to solar access by dissolving any local covenant, restriction or condition attached to a property deed that restricts the use of solar energy.  
 
This law sustained a legal challenge in 2000. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of homeowners in a lawsuit filed by their homeowners association seeking to force the homeowners to remove roof-top solar panels. The judge found that the association's "guidelines combined with [its] conduct 'effectively prohibited' the defendants from placing solar heating devices on their residence, contrary to the provisions of A.R.S.-33-439 (A)."  
 
Senate Bill 1254, enacted in July 2007, stipulates that a homeowners association may not prohibit the installation or use of solar-energy devices (panels and associated devices). An association may, however, adopt reasonable rules regarding the placement of a solar device if those rules do not prevent the installation of the device, impair the functioning of the device, restrict its use, or adversely affect the cost or efficiency of the device. The bill also grants reasonable attorney fees to any party who substantially prevails in litigation against an association's board of directors.


 
Contact:
  Debby Tewa
Arizona Department of Commerce
Energy Office
1700 West Washington Ave.
Suite 220
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 771-1241
E-Mail: deboraht@azcommerce.com
Web Site: http://www.azcommerce.com/Energy/
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Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.

© 2009 N.C. Solar Center / N.C. State University / College of Engineering