The General Rule
Backup and standby generators are increasingly common, especially in hurricane and storm-prone regions. Most CC&Rs treat a generator installation as an exterior modification requiring ARC approval, with typical requirements covering placement (often side or rear yard only), noise level compliance, screening from street view, and proper permitting with the local municipality. Portable generators used only during outages are generally less restricted than permanently installed standby units, which involve gas lines and concrete pads. A full ban on generators is less common and, in some storm-prone states, may face pushback given the safety implications of extended power outages.
California-Specific Rules
California has no dedicated generator statute; standard ARC approval processes apply, with additional consideration for wildfire-related power shutoffs (PSPS events) common in the state.
Why Your CC&Rs May Be Different
State law sets the minimum floor — but your community's CC&Rs, bylaws, and board-adopted rules may be stricter, may include exceptions, or may have been amended recently. The only way to know exactly what applies to your community is to read your specific governing documents.
Most CC&Rs are 40–120 pages of dense legal language. Finding the exact section that answers your question can take 20–30 minutes — if you can find it at all.
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