When purchasing a home in an HOA, you make a contractual agreement to adhere to certain rules and guidelines concerning the aesthetic of your property. These rules can pertain to simple elements like paint color, landscaping, lawns and porch décor, and larger alterations like decks, structural changes, or the addition of solar panels. So, what […]
Carbon Trading + Clean Electric Grid = Good News for Co-ops and Condos (NY)
As co-op and condo boards begin to compute the costs of reducing their buildings’ carbon output enough to satisfy the Climate Mobilization Act (Local Law 97), they have received a major dose of good news. A sweeping new study suggests that the greening of the electricity grid – by powering it with renewable energy sources […]
Will There Be Enough Green Electricity for Co-ops and Condos? (NY)
Co-op and condo boards scrambling to find ways to reduce their buildings’ carbon emissions enough to comply with the city’s looming Climate Mobilization Act keep hearing the new real estate mantra: electrification, electrification, electrification. By switching from fossil-fuels to electricity from renewable sources to power their building systems, the thinking goes, boards can take a […]
The Easy Way to Cut Carbon Emissions? A Green Electric Grid (NY)
Many co-op and condo boards are terrified by the potential cost of the city’s Climate Mobilization Act (Local Law 97), which sets caps on building carbon emissions beginning in 2024 – and will impose stiff fines on buildings that fail to comply. Now comes news that’s sure to draw a sigh of relief from anxious […]
Energy Efficiency In Your HOA
While there is continuing debate about the reasons driving climate change, most agree on the need for better stewardship of the Earth. While governments often move at a glacial pace to enact green policies, self help is readily available today. What better place to start than at the homeowner association? HOAs often control a variety […]
Climate Change Time: It’s Five Minutes Till Midnight (NY)
I attended a year-end meeting with the president of a Manhattan cooperative and an outside engineer. In October, the engineer had informed the cooperative that under the Climate Mobilization Act, the building was likely facing massive annual fines beginning in 2030 if it did not undertake major energy-efficiency retrofits to reduce the building’s carbon emissions. […]
Homeowners associations continue to be a hurdle for rooftop solar installations: (VA)
Many Virginians are aware of the transformational energy legislation enacted in 2020 by the General Assembly, most prominently the sweeping Virginia Clean Economy Act. But a lesser-known bill significantly expanded the rights of homeowners living in homeowners associations (HOAs) who wish to install and use rooftop solar arrays. Read the entire article……………………………….
A Co-op’s Solar Journey, From Bright Idea to Flipping the Switch (NY)
A few months after moving into the nine-story, prewar co-op at 250 Cabrini Blvd. in Hudson Heights, I threw my hat in the ring to join the board of directors. My stump speech was: “We all love the rooftop view of the Hudson River, but the east side of the roof is unused. Let’s do […]
Sundial Drive HOA Avoided Fee Increase By Replacing Decorative Grass (NV)
When mulling over the pros and cons of keeping its water-thirsty grass last year, the Sundial Drive Homeowner’s Association (HOA) surveyed its residents for input. The board was deciding whether to keep the grass and raise HOA fees to cover water and maintenance costs or replace the grass with a water-smart landscape. While some residents […]
Simple Ways An HOA Can Go Green
While there is continuing debate about global climate change, one related issue that all agree on is the need for better stewardship of the Earth. We all owe a debt of caring for our world. What better place to start than at home? While governments often move at a glacial pace to enact green policies, […]
Some of Las Vegas’ biggest homeowner associations lead efforts to conserve water (NV)
Las Vegas is in the midst of a triple whammy of water woes: Historic drought, looming federal restrictions and climate change. The need to conserve is tremendous and that means changing our habits. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Board Moves to Comply With Climate Mobilization Act (NY)
If you want to see how co-op and condo boards will comply with the looming limits on building carbon emissions under the Climate Mobilization Act, take a trip to the condominium tower at 400 Central Park West. Read the entire article……………………………….
Despite drought, Californians are barely conserving water. Are Palm Springs, Bermuda Dunes top water users?
Along with more than 100 manicured golf courses, from Palm Springs Airport and Forest Lawn Memorial Park to J.W. Marriott’s Desert Springs resort, lush lawns are still pre-eminent for many. Recycled water is used in some cases. But Donze said that ironically can increase residential water usage. She said when Bermuda Dunes Country Club switched […]
Island Walk Community homeowner fights to install solar roof (FL)
Frank Zhou remembers Hurricane Irma well. He wants to be ready for the next time Southwest Florida takes a direct hit and wants to install a whole solar roof. Read the entire article……………………………….
Drought spurs interest in low-water landscaping (WA)
Demand for low-water landscaping has increased significantly during an exceptionally dry and hot Inland Northwest summer, experts here say. Last month, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed the Spokane area in the most extreme category for drought, called D4 or exceptional drought. As of mid-August, that showed no signs of easing. Read the entire article……………………………….
Utah lawmaker pushes HOA in Cottonwood Heights to cut back on watering
A state legislator said she’s tried everything to get the HOA in her area of Cottonwood Heights to cut back on watering, but every attempt has been ignored. Gay Lynn Bennion walks Hollow Mill Road every morning with her husband. She likes the exercise, but in early June she noticed something that really bothered her […]
The Risks of California Drought on Communities and the Role of HOA’s
HOA boards are in place to ensure that, amongst other things, the community does not succumb to harsh climatic conditions. As it stands, the state of California is sitting right in the face of drought. It is gripped by extreme dryness, with some conditions being worse than the last record-breaking drought. Read the entire article……………………………….
Arizona HOAs: Water Use & What’s Next
Arizona Department of Water Resources (“ADWR”) has declared a goal of sustainable water supplies by 2030, which means major water reductions for associations in the coming years. ADWR creates management plans designed to hold the state accountable for water use. They have prepared a total of 5 plans to be enacted over five decades (1980-2030). […]
California Water Restrictions in 2021: What You Need to Know (CA)
As moderate to extreme drought stretches on throughout the state, California is especially impacted by lack of rain. Though there are no new usage restrictions in place locally just yet, area water districts are keeping an eye on reservoir levels and wholesalers are urging agencies to conserve water by developing their own water reduction plans. […]
Governor signs bill to bolster rooftop solar panels (NY)
In what may have been one of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s last bill signings, he earlier this month approved a measure that prohibits homeowners associations from restricting the use of rooftop solar power systems on people’s homes. Read the entire article……………………………….
PSC orders Helena Valley subdivision to permit irrigation (MT)
Residents of a Helena Valley subdivision struck a blow in their years-long fight over water after the Montana Public Service Commission ordered the subdivision owner to implement several emergency interim measures, including permitting irrigation. Read the entire article……………………………….
Staying the course on water conservation remains vital to Las Vegas’ future (NV)
Nearly every drop of Colorado River water that our community uses indoors is already recycled and safely returned to Lake Mead. This extends our water supply by more than 75%. Water used outdoors, however, is only used once, and as we face shortage conditions, we all need to double down on our outdoor conservation. To […]
Grass wanted: Southeast Boise HOA threatens lawsuit over synthetic turf lawn (ID)
Two Southeast Boise homeowners are gearing up for a potential court fight over their front lawns, or a lack thereof. This spring, Ken Fox and Florian Penalva took stock of the drought and the long hours required to maintain a lawn during the summer months and decided to take a different tack. Read the entire […]
Montana PSC directs North Star subdivision to loosen watering restrictions
A continuing disagreement between residents of a Helena Valley subdivision and their water provider made its way before the Montana Public Service Commission on Tuesday. After a lengthy meeting, the PSC directed North Star subdivision leaders to find a way to make more water available for homeowners to use outdoors. Read the entire article……………………………….
Belleville HOA continues fighting solar panels despite new Illinois law (IL)
A Belleville family thought they’d won their fight to keep their solar panels. Their homeowner’s association ordered them removed, but then a new Illinois law offered them more protection. It hasn’t stopped the HOA, however, from going after the homeowners. Read the entire article……………………………….
New Illinois law makes it easier for HOA community members to install rooftop solar
Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation protecting Illinoisians’ right to clean energy and access to solar power. A revision to the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Statement Act, HB 644 will guarantee homeowners’ rights to place solar on their home without major redesign requirements, while improving the timeline for approval by a homeowners’ association (HOA). Read the entire […]
Condo owners’ appeal could be last legal hurdle for offshore wind in Great Lakes (OH)
A legal challenge by two lakeview condo dwellers seeking to block Lake Erie’s first offshore wind farm faces a high legal bar before the Ohio Supreme Court — with equally high stakes for clean energy in the region. Read the entire article……………………………….
San Diego homeowner: Disconnecting a water meter could cost thousands (CA)
Jet Martin wanted to stop service to a water meter to save money for the homeowners in his Mira Mesa HOA. It turns out the city said doing that will cost thousands of dollars. “I was shocked when I heard an amount of $14,000 simply to discontinue water service,” Martin said. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOAs Go Green: Colorado Bill Forces HOAs to Accept Fake Grass and Solar Panels
Recently, Colorado House Bill 21-1229 passed, increasing protections for property owners within HOA-guided communities. The bill keeps Homeowner Associations (HOAs) from prohibiting xeriscape, nonvegetative turf grass, and renewable energy-generation devices (like solar panels). Read the entire article……………………………….
‘The big gate key:’ Homeowners associations a top barrier to rooftop solar in North Carolina
But Jordt has one complaint: His homeowners association. It would only let him install solar panels on the back of his house, instead of the south-facing front where they would get the most rays and produce the most energy. The placement would cost him $10,000 extra, a financial no-go. For now, solar panels are off […]
Texas governor signs pro-solar bills that clarify decommissioning, strengthen consumer protection
“This legislation will make sure solar customers have information they need to make informed decisions and will prohibit municipalities in addition to homeowner association boards from unreasonably restricting energy independence. These protections are hugely important for the rooftop solar market and will help to bring even more jobs and solar to Texas,….” Read the entire […]
The Climate Mobilization Act’s Surprising Paradox (NY)
Co-op and condo boards are facing a harrowing challenge. Under Local Law 97, the centerpiece of the city’s ambitious Climate Mobilization Act (CMA), all covered buildings larger than 25,000 square feet will be given a yearly carbon emissions budget, or cap. Beginning in 2024, significant fines will be levied against buildings that emit more carbon […]
Hawaii real estate developer Peter Savio to offer condo-style ownership of solar farm
Entrepreneur Peter Savio announced today that he will build a solar farm on Oahu and sell off units of solar in a revolutionary manner – the same way he sells condominium units. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Solar Panels, What You Need to Know (CA)
As solar power has become more widely available across the United States and worldwide, more homeowners have considered adding solar panels to their homes. The benefits are obvious and include cheaper electric bills and a clean source of renewable energy. But some neighborhoods may have more trouble making the addition than others. Depending on state […]
Condo Board Moves to Comply with the Climate Mobilization Act (NY)
When the condo board at 88 Greenwich St. decided to replace rather than rehab the aging cooling units on the roof of its 38-story Art Deco tower in the Financial District, it was determined to kill three birds with one stone. Read the entire article……………………………….
Solar Panels -Do You Have to Allow Them? (CO)
Pursuant to the Colorado Titles and Interest Statute associations cannot prohibit or otherwise place unreasonable restrictions on the installation of solar panels on owners’ properties. Keep in mind that solar panels are not protected on general or limited common elements, so if you serve on a board of directors of a condominium community, this prohibition […]
5 Easy and Super Helpful Tips for Green Condo Living
Who says you can’t practice living green when you are in a condo and on a budget? The truth about living green begins within yourself. It comes from your habits, lifestyle, and practices that lessen the impact of your actions on the health of our planet. This means, wherever you are, you can be a […]
NC Appellate Case: Belmont Association, Inc. v. Farwig (Solar Panels/ARC)
Today, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the NC Court of Appeals issued its decision in Belmont Association, Inc. v. Farwig (the first appellate review of North Carolina’s solar law!). The decision may impact the installation of solar panels in planned communities, and is a “published” decision. That means the decision is controlling legal authority and can […]
Park Forest thirsty for irrigation water (FL)
It’s not quite a neighborhood water war, but the Englewood Water District will discuss Thursday how best to expand and fairly distribute its irrigation water in Park Forest. The treated effluent has always been a precious commodity for irrigation — one that the Water District has measured out judiciously. Read the entire article……………………………….
Eco-Friendly HOA Practices to Implement (NJ)
Being environmentally conscious is far more than a trend; it is a civic responsibility to do your part to make your neighborhood and our planet a cleaner place to live. Making your HOA practices more eco-friendly is easy to do and makes your community far more attractive to potential homeowners. Read the entire article……………………………….
A Green Approach to Community Association Building Maintenance and Repairs (IL)
Today there is lots of chatter about sustainability, green building issues, and reducing our personal carbon footprints. There is also lots of talk about stimulus money and tax credits. Does that mean homeowners associations and condominium boards should be approving the installation of roof-mounted solar panels or wind turbines? Or how about a program to […]
Las Vegas pushes to become first to ban ornamental grass (NV)
A desert city built on a reputation for excess and indulgence wants to become a model for restraint and conservation with a first-in-the-nation policy banning grass that nobody walks on. Las Vegas-area water officials have spent two decades trying to get people to replace thirsty greenery with desert plants, and now they’re asking the Nevada […]
How to Promote an Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly HOA
Eco-friendly HOA practices contribute to an eco-friendly community that allows families to live in harmony with nature. Every HOA wants to provide attractive initiatives to its residents. One way to achieve this is to go green. HOAs should have policies that address the issue of climate change and help in reducing waste. It helps if […]
Investigation: Fight for light between homeowners and associations over solar power, despite new law (VA)
In a power struggle involving a family in Chesapeake, there’s hardly a ray of hope that it won’t result in a lawsuit. Will Rivera says he wants to save some money and help save the environment. He wants to install solar panels on his roof in the Edinburgh community in Chesapeake. Rivera got a one-sentence […]
Hugo hailed as pioneer of stormwater reuse via neighborhood-wide irrigation system (MN)
Marketing materials for the Adelaide Landing housing development in Hugo tout its idyllic natural setting, proximity to downtown White Bear Lake and its architect-designed home plans. But there’s another selling point not normally seen on brochures for new suburban developments: a neighborhood-wide irrigation system that recycles stormwater. Read the article…………………………………
Irrigation Upgrades: Modernization and Technology Upgrades (CO)
With the worsening drought, tightening water supplies, and increasing water demand, we are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to water and unfortunately, it does not look like this situation will get better any time soon. Read the article………………………………….
Can an HOA stand in the way of a homeowner who wants to go solar? (IN)
If you live in a planned neighborhood or community, chances are you are part of a Homeowners Association, otherwise known as an HOA. Those associations manage shared amenities and establish rules for the neighborhood, most of which revolve around maintaining a particular aesthetic. Read the article……………………………………
Co-ops and Condos Get Ready for an Electric Future (NY)
Like it or not, New York City co-ops and condos are about to get pressed into service as foot soldiers in the war on climate change. The city’s Climate Mobilization Act, one of the most ambitious on the planet, will require co-op and condo boards to reduce their buildings’ carbon emissions to specified levels beginning […]
Solar Energy & Arizona HOAs
Arizona Revised Statute Section 33-1816 (the Planned Communities Act) strictly prohibits planned communities from prohibiting the installation or use of a solar energy device. However, planned communities (HOAs) may adopt rules regarding the placement of these devices so long as these rules do not effectively prevent installation, impair the device’s ability to function or adversely […]
New Mexico homeowners told they can’t connect solar systems
New Mexico has been called a ‘national leader in clean energy,’ with legislation putting the state on a path to renewable energy. However, some homeowners who want to install solar are being told they can’t. Read the article…………………………………..