ENROLLED
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
H. B. 2740
(By Delegates Manypenny, Doyle, Mahan, Guthrie, Canterbury, Iaquinta, Barker, Hartman, Brown and Hatfield)
[Passed March 10, 2012; in effect ninety days from passage.]
AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §36-4-19, relating to housing associations making covenants and other restrictions that restrict the installation or use of solar energy systems unenforceable after effective date of section; defining terms; and providing exceptions thereto. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §36-4-19, to read as follows:
[June 10, 2012]
ARTICLE 4. COVENANTS.
§36-4-19. Solar energy covenants unenforceable; penalty.
(a) It is the policy of the state to promote and encourage the residential and commercial use of solar energy systems and to remove obstacles thereto to promote energy efficiency and pollution reduction.
Therefore, any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any governing document of a housing association executed or recorded after the effective date of this section that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable:
Provided, That a housing association may, by vote of its members, establish or remove a restriction that prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy system. (b) For the purposes of this section:
- “Solar energy system” means a system affixed to a building or buildings that uses solar devices, which are thermally isolated from living space or any other area where the energy is used, to provide for the collection, storage, or distribution of solar energy; and
- “reasonable restriction” means those restrictions that do not effectually result in a prohibition of their use by eliminating the system’s energy conservation benefits or economic practicality.
(c) This section does not apply to provisions that impose reasonable restrictions on solar energy systems including restrictions for historical preservation, architectural significance, religious or cultural importance to a given community.
Nothing in this section precludes the regulation of solar energy systems by state and local authorities which may establish land use, health and safety standards.
Nothing in this section precludes housing associations from restricting or limiting the installation of solar energy systems installed in common areas and common structures.
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XIX. SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS within Cloverdale Heights: 9-15-2020 ARC Guidelines
A. All solar energy systems must have ARC approval prior to installation.
B. No unreasonable restrictions are imposed that prohibit the installation of solar energy systems.
C. All solar panels and solar energy systems must be attached to the roof of your home. Free-standing ground (pole) mounted panels and/or systems are not permitted.
D. Solar panels under one (1) square foot (such as those used with cameras and spotlights) are permitted without application.
E. Solar energy systems must meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and county permitting authorities.
F. Solar energy systems must meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories.
G. All wiring, connections and junction boxes must not be visible.
H. With or without solar energy systems, maintenance, repair and/or replacement of roof or other building components must be completed as needed.
I. Application to ARC must include:
- Complete description of proposed work.
- Site drawing/plat showing the existing structure(s) and the location of proposed solar panels or solar energy system.
