California solar rights law

California Civil Code 714
Text of state's civil code prohibiting restrictions on the installation of solar energy systems.

California Solar Rights Background
How and why the California law prohibiting restrictions on solar energy systems installations came to be.

Other California laws pertaining to solar rights available through the state Legislative Counsel's website:
Official California Legislative Information

Solar Easements - Civil Code 801.5

"Solar easement" means the right of receiving sunlight across real property of another for any solar energy system. Direct sunlight to a specified surface of a solar collector, device, or structural design feature may not be obstructed.

Remove Municipal Barriers to Solar - Government Code 65850.5

Local agencies shall not adopt ordinances that create unreasonable barriers to the installation of solar energy systems, including, but not limited to, design review for aesthetic purposes, and not unreasonably restrict the ability of homeowners and agricultural and business concerns to install solar energy systems.

Solar Shade Control Act - Public Resources Code 25980

No person owning, or in control of a property shall allow a tree or shrub to be placed, or, if placed, to grow on such property, subsequent to the installation of a solar collector on the property of another so as to cast a shadow greater than 10 percent of the collector absorption area upon that solar collector surface on the property of another.

Permit Approval - Health and Safety Code 17959.1

A city or county may not deny an application for a use permit to install a solar energy system unless it makes written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact.

Property Tax Exemption - CA Revenue and Taxation Code, section 73

The term "newly constructed," does not include the construction or addition of any active solar energy system, thereby creating a tax appraisal exclusion.

Dealing with homeowners associations

Bringing Solar Energy to the Planned Community (1 MB pdf, 62 pages)
A handbook about legal issues surrounding rooftop solar systems and private land use restrictions. Homeowner associations are often inhospitable to the use of solar energy. The problem arises in the context the association’s architectural controls, commonly found in its declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). Homeowners must be made aware of CC&Rs as a potential friction point, and learn how to be effective advocates for their installation before the association’s ARC. Contemporary solar technologies and configurations are often quite compatible with exterior aesthetic guidelines. Homeowners should also understand their rights and remedies under the law. Both homebuilders and community associations should be made aware of state laws prohibiting solar restrictions.

Working with contractors

What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor (pdf)
This instructional publication assists consumers in dealing with building contractors and the California Contractors State License Board.

Home Improvement Contracts — Putting the pieces together (pdf)
This booklet contains legal guidelines for home improvement contracts.

Contractor License Status Check
Enter the contractor license number to check the status of their license.

A Consumer Guide to Filing Construction Complaints (pdf)
How to file a complaint, how complaints are handled, jurisdiction, arbitration programs.

Sample home improvement contract (pdf)

Home Improvement Cancellation Notice (pdf)
A sample Notice Of Cancellation to be attached to a Home Improvement Contract. You may cancel the contract, without any penalty or obligation, within three business days from the date of signing.

7030 Notice (pdf)
State law requires anyone who contracts to do construction work to be licensed by the contractors’ state license board in the license category in which the contractor is going to be working -- if the total price of the job is $500 or more (including labor and materials).

7018 Notice (pdf)
Under the California Mechanics’ Lien Law, any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, supplier, or other person or entity who helps to improve your property, but is not paid for his or her work or supplies, has a right to place a lien on your home, land, or property where the work was performed and to sue you in court to obtain payment.