Balcony solar for renters and HOAs
Plug-in solar is made for apartments, so the real question is often not "is it legal?" but "can my landlord or HOA stop me?". Only a few of the new laws answer that. Here is what each one says.
Colorado (from Jan 1, 2027) and New Jersey stop landlords, HOAs and covenants from broadly or unreasonably banning plug-in solar. Vermont gives renters a 10-day notice process. Most other laws are silent, so your lease or HOA rules still apply.
Last checked: · sources on each state page
| State | Landlords / renters | HOAs / condos |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | From Jan 1, 2027, no person may unreasonably prohibit a device. A property owner may set reasonable restrictions: prior notice, fire and overload safety, location law text | Covenants that unreasonably restrict are void from Jan 1, 2027; the device counts as an energy efficiency measure; you may be required to secure it and to carry liability law text |
| New Jersey | Landlords may not broadly prohibit the devices Governor's release. Trackers report 14 days' written notice to the landlord reported | Homeowner associations may not broadly prohibit them Governor's release |
| Vermont | Give the landlord at least 10 days' notice. The landlord may reply within 10 days with reasonable restrictions (e.g. a licensed electrician at your cost); if not, you may go ahead. No electrical work without permission law text | Not addressed in what we read |
| Maine | If you install on a structure you don't own, don't compromise it or break codes, and restore it when you remove the kit law text | Not addressed |
| Virginia | Not in § 56-596.8 (trackers report a separate landlord rule we haven't verified). The section does not apply to units billed by ratio utility billing law text | Not in § 56-596.8 |
| California | Reported: no explicit landlord language reported | Not reported |
| Utah, Maryland, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York (bill) | Not addressed in the texts we read | |
| Great Britain | SI 2026/848 says nothing about landlords or leaseholds. Check your tenancy or lease and ask in writing. In England, permitted development doesn't cover fixing plug-in solar to a wooden balcony, wall or fence law text | |
Official texts: UT · ME · VA · MD · CO · CT · NH · VT · NJ · CA · NY · UK (read 2026-11-03)
How to ask
- Write to your landlord, manager or HOA board. Say which kit, its wattage and certification, where it will go and how it is secured.
- Quote your state's rule from its page here, and offer to remove it and restore the balcony when you move out.
- Keep a copy of the reply. In Vermont, keep proof of the date you gave notice.
Common questions
Can my HOA ban balcony solar?
In Colorado, from January 1, 2027, covenants that unreasonably prohibit or restrict plug-in solar are void, though the HOA can still set reasonable rules. New Jersey's law stops HOAs from broadly prohibiting the devices. In the other states we cover, the laws are silent, so HOA rules still apply.
Do I have to tell my landlord?
In Vermont, yes: at least 10 days before you install. Colorado lets a property owner require prior notice. Trackers report 14 days' notice in New Jersey. Elsewhere it depends on your lease, and asking first is the safe route.