HB 856

Amends GS 22B-20 to remove exemptions in subsection (d) from the prohibition on any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement that runs with the land and would prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors. Amends subsection (c) to clarify that a deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement that runs with the land may regulate the location or screening of solar collectors if the agreement does not have the effect of “reducing the operating efficiency” (was “preventing the reasonable use”) of a solar collector for residential property. Defines the term “reducing the operating efficiency of a solar collector” to mean that the regulation would decrease the efficiency or performance of the solar collector by more than 10% of the amount originally specified for the solar collector. Appliable to deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements that run with the land recorded on or after the date the bill becomes law.