Solar Panels

The Woods at Issaquah and Morgan Ridge CC&Rs requires that each homeowner maintain the exterior appearance of his/her property in a manner that upholds the quality of our neighborhood. These declarations are to protect every homeowner’s property value by ensuring a well-kept and desirous place in which to live, which includes aesthetics involving after-construction equipment added to a Lot or a house.

The laudable goal of saving energy and incorporating equipment and systems into and on to homes or lots which do so has resulted in increased interest in the installation and use of solar energy devices and equipment.  The Association does not want to do anything to prevent use of such devices, but feels it is important to ensure that such equipment is reasonably controlled as to appearance and location of installation, so as to protect neighbors and the community as a whole from unsightly equipment and/or installation.  Accordingly, the purpose of these guidelines about solar energy devices and equipment is to reasonably control use and location to protect home values and aesthetics in the community, without preventing their use.

Detailed plans for installation and placement of any solar panel / energy      device must be submitted to the HOA Board for review and receive written approval from the Association prior to such installation. 

An illustrated brochure of the proposed system, which depicts the materials to be used, and drawings showing the location and number of collectors, the attachment to the roof structure, and the location of exterior system components, shall be submitted with the request. 

A City of Issaquah and/or L&I Electrical Permit is required for the installation of such device and ancillary equipment. The Association strongly suggests to Owner that he/she use an installer which is a licensed solar equipment contractor with the appropriate contractor’s license.

Homeowners are urged to check with their home builder or insurance company prior to installation of devices for how such installation may impact their roof warranty (if applicable) or other aspects of their structure. The Association and its Board has no expertise or special knowledge regarding such systems and therefore the Association’s approval for installation of any such device(s) or system is not a representation that the system chosen by an Owner is safe to use or is compatible with Owner’s roof (if applicable) or other structures on the Lot or the Lot involved, and Owner assumes and bears all risks regarding installation and use of such a system.

These guidelines apply to all solar energy devices including without limitation solar panels and their associated components, solar tubes, solar skylights, or other solar energy devices (collectively referred to in this Guidelines as “devices” or “systems” or “equipment”) which due to installation and use location are or may become “visible from neighboring property” above the fence line or other privacy barriers that may exist between neighboring yards and homes. 

 

 

B. LOCATION / PLACEMENT  

1. The equipment must be installed in the rear yard with no portion of the unit exceeding ten feet in height from the ground below it. If it is visible from the street, then the equipment must be painted to match, or the color of the materials used must match, the color of the home, fence line or surrounding landscape as directed by the HOA Board. 
2. Ground-mounted solar collectors shall be within the setback lines in accordance with City Codes / HOA CC&R’s and concealed from neighbor’s view to the extent reasonably possible.

1. Solar panels should be an integrated part of the roof design and mounted directly to the roof deck or if mounted on or over the existing roofing, should be flush with the slope of the roof. Solar units must not break the roof ridgeline.   
2. The solar panels, piping or any exposed part of the installation may not be higher than the roof peak.  
3. Visibility of devices and their components should be minimized from public view when possible.