New York § 342 - 342Certain covenants, conditions, and restrictions of homeowners' associations prohibited

§ 342. 342Certain covenants, conditions, and restrictions of homeowners' associations prohibited

§ 342. Certain covenants, conditions, and restrictions of homeowners' associations prohibited. 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section: (a) "restriction on use" means any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in: (i) a deed; (ii) a contract; (iii) the by-laws of a homeowners' association; (iv) any rules or regulations adopted by a homeowners' association; (v) a security agreement; or (vi) any other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any interest in, real property. (b) "solar power system" means a photovoltaic system, comprising of solar electric generating equipment, installed on a rooftop, with a rated capacity of not more than twenty-five kilowatts. 2. A homeowners' association may not adopt or enforce any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or use of a solar power system. A restriction on use which effectively prohibits the installation or use of a solar power system is unenforceable and shall be void as contrary to public policy. For the purposes of this subdivision, an unreasonable limitation includes, but is not limited to, any restriction on use that: (a) inhibits the solar power system from functioning at its intended maximum efficiency; or (b) increases the solar power system's installation or maintenance costs by an amount which is estimated to be greater than ten percent of the total cost of the initial installation of the solar power system, including the costs of labor and equipment. 3. Notwithstanding subdivision two of this section, a homeowners' association may adopt or enforce a restriction on use to prohibit the installation of a solar power system that is located on property owned by the homeowners' association or that is located on property owned in common by the members of the homeowners' association. 4. Any denial of a homeowner's installation of a solar power system by a homeowners' association must include a detailed description of the exact basis for rejection in writing with specific examples of the homeowners' association's concerns, if applicable. 5. A solar power system must meet the requirements established by any local, state or federal law, rule or regulation on health and safety standards and those requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities.