Two St. Joseph couples are suing the city over where they can place solar panels on their homes.

One of the couples was told a month ago their newly installed solar panels violated a city ordinance. The other couple applied for a variance to place solar panels on their home, but was denied.

The city’s ordinance requires all accessory structures to be located at least 50 feet from the front property line or behind the front of the main building.

Solar panels are counted as accessory structures under that code.

A lawyer for plaintiffs Milton and Mary Boyles argues that state law trumps the more restrictive city ordinance.

City planner Dustin Smith says the couples might be misinterpreting state regulations.