Quick Answer
House Bill 1212 (2025 Session), short title "HOA Accessory Limitation Ban," would add language to G.S. 47F-3-102 and G.S. 47C-3-102 that bars associations from limiting solar panels and, for planned communities only, edible or pollinator gardens inside lot boundaries and certain accessory dwelling units. This bill has not become law. As shown on the North Carolina General Assembly bill page when we checked on November 13, 2026, it has not passed either chamber; check the bill page for any later action.
The one thing a board most needs to know: if enacted as filed it would take effect when it becomes law and would sit in the association powers sections, so existing covenants on these topics could be affected. Current law on solar is G.S. 22B-20.
At a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bill | House Bill 1212, "HOA Accessory Limitation Ban" (2025-2026 Session) |
| Primary sponsors | Representatives Liu and Johnson-Hostler |
| Sections amended | G.S. 47C-3-102 (new subsection (c), solar) and G.S. 47F-3-102 (new subsection (b)) |
| Effective date if enacted | "This act is effective when it becomes law" |
| Status when checked | Filed April 30, 2026; passed first reading and referred to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations on May 5, 2026; no later action listed |
| Remedy or penalty | None stated in the text. Section 3 appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Justice for education |
What the Bill Would Do
- Condominiums, G.S. 47C-3-102(c): "Notwithstanding subsection (a), the association may not impose limitations on unit owners' ability to install, maintain, and use solar panels as a power source."
- Planned communities, G.S. 47F-3-102(b): the association "may not impose limitations on lot owners' ability to install, maintain, and use" (1) solar panels as a power source, (2) "edible or pollinator gardens located within a lot owners' boundaries," and (3) "accessory dwelling units that meet applicable building and environmental codes that are also allowed by zoning restrictions."
- Appropriation (Section 3): $100,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Justice for the 2026-2027 fiscal year "for education on these provisions."
- Effective date (Section 4): effective when the act becomes law.
The bill text as filed is short. It does not say whether it applies to existing covenants or only to new ones, and it has no enforcement or remedy section. Those are open questions we cannot answer from the text.
What This Means in Practice
Current law
G.S. 22B-20 already makes void and unenforceable covenants that prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, with exceptions for location and screening and for collectors visible from the ground in listed places. See our G.S. 22B-20 page. The bill's language says associations "may not impose limitations" on solar, which on its face is broader than the current statute's limits. Our reading: if enacted as filed, the interaction with the existing exceptions would be an open question for counsel.
Nothing in current law we read gives owners a general right to edible or pollinator gardens or ADUs against HOA covenants. Those are governed by the declaration, rules and local zoning today.
For boards
No change is required now because the bill is not law. A board can prepare by checking whether its rules address solar, vegetable or pollinator plantings and detached or attached accessory units, and by making sure any rule on these topics is clear, written and applied evenly.
For owners
Do not treat the bill as a right you can rely on yet. Follow its status on the legislature's site.
What the bill does not say
- No definition of "limitations," "edible or pollinator gardens" or "accessory dwelling unit."
- No statement on existing declarations, retroactivity or fines.
- No rule for condominium gardens or ADUs. Those items are only in the planned community subsection.
- It does not mention HOA architectural review procedures.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2026 | Filed |
| May 5, 2026 | Passed first reading; referred to House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations |
| November 13, 2026 | Date we checked the bill page: no later action shown |
Related North Carolina Law
- G.S. 22B-20: solar collectors
- G.S. 47F-3-102: association powers
- Chapter 47C Condominium Act overview
- S.L. 2026-51: home-based businesses
- H 444 (2025): HOA reform bill
- North Carolina HOA laws complete guide
Board Checklist
- Check the bill page periodically for committee or floor action.
- Review your rules and architectural guidelines for solar, gardens and accessory units.
- Confirm that any such rule is written, adopted properly and applied evenly.
- Separate what G.S. 22B-20 already requires on solar from what the bill would add.
- Ask counsel how enacted language would affect existing covenants if it passes.
- Do not change enforcement practice based on a pending bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is House Bill 1212 law?
No. It was filed April 30, 2026, passed first reading on May 5, 2026 and was referred to committee. Check ncleg.gov for later action.
What would H 1212 prohibit?
Associations imposing limits on solar panels, edible or pollinator gardens within lot boundaries and qualifying accessory dwelling units (planned communities), and on solar panels (condominiums).
Does it apply to condominiums?
Only for solar panels, through a new G.S. 47C-3-102(c).
What does current law say about HOA solar rules?
G.S. 22B-20 limits covenants that prohibit solar collectors, with exceptions. See our page on that statute.
When would it take effect?
The bill says it is effective when it becomes law.
Does it override existing covenants?
The text does not say. Ask counsel if it is ever enacted.
Where We Stand
Our position: we are neutral on this bill. The policy trade-off between owner choice and community standards belongs to the legislature, and the filed text leaves too many terms undefined for us to say how it would work. It would be easier to administer for clear, written rules. Tip: keep solar, garden and accessory-structure rules clear and written now, and revisit them with counsel only if the bill advances. This is Association Property Managers' operating view as a management company, separate from the legal summary above, and it is not legal advice.
Where This Comes From
This page is based on the House Bill 1212 status page and Edition 1 bill text read on the North Carolina General Assembly site (House Bill 1212 on ncleg.gov), and on our existing G.S. 22B-20 and G.S. 47F-3-102 pages. We did not read the bill digest or any fiscal note.
How APM Helps
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Legal disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and associations differ. Confirm the current statute text and how it applies to your governing documents with a licensed North Carolina attorney before acting.
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