Solar Access Laws.

July 12, 2019 12:02 PM

We are looking for examples of Solar access zoning/local laws in an urban/city setting. How is it defined. New construction blocking sun? Protection of rooftops of unobstructed sunlight?
posted by ebesan to Law & Government (5 answers total)

Boulder, CO passed a solar access law in the early '80s. This looks like it answers some of your question.
posted by Botanizer at 1:10 PM on July 12, 2019 [1 favorite]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_easement

http://www.solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/solar-access/pdfs/Solaraccess-full.pdf
posted by nickggully at 1:16 PM on July 12, 2019

I don't think there's ancient light rights where I am in Toronto: http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2010/10/01/guest-post-lawyer-robert-wakulat-solar-and-the-right-to-light/
posted by scruss at 2:14 PM on July 12, 2019

You might want to look into rules regarding ‘overshadowing’. Even before solar panels were common, planning laws recognised that having access to natural light was a legitimate interest of landowners. All NSW councils have rules about this.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:06 PM on July 12, 2019

San Francisco has a law that prohibits new construction that casts significant shadows on public parks. It has been used quite a bit (link goes to uncurated Google results but you quickly get the idea).
posted by aws17576 at 12:05 AM on July 14, 2019