2011 California Code
Civil Code
DIVISION 2. PROPERTY [654 - 1422]
CHAPTER 3. Servitudes
Section 801.5

(a) The right of receiving sunlight as specified in subdivision 18 of Section 801 shall be referred to as a solar easement. Solar easement means the right of receiving sunlight across real property of another for any solar energy system.

As used in this section, solar energy system means either of the following:

(1) Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.

(2) Any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.

(b) Any instrument creating a solar easement shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) A description of the dimensions of the easement expressed in measurable terms, such as vertical or horizontal angles measured in degrees, or the hours of the day on specified dates during which direct sunlight to a specified surface of a solar collector, device, or structural design feature may not be obstructed, or a combination of these descriptions.

(2) The restrictions placed upon vegetation, structures, and other objects that would impair or obstruct the passage of sunlight through the easement.

(3) The terms or conditions, if any, under which the easement may be revised or terminated.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 537, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)