California Apartment EV Charging Rights for Renters and Condo Owners

California has separate EV charging request rules for residential tenants and owners in common-interest developments. Which route may apply depends on who is asking, who controls the parking space, and whether the work affects common property. Neither statute is a permit or a finding that a particular building has electrical capacity. This guide was checked against current California Civil Code on September 27, 2026.

If you rent your home

California Civil Code § 1947.6 addresses a tenant’s written request to install a charging station at a parking space allotted to that tenant. For leases executed, extended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2015, a lessor must approve a qualifying request that meets the statute and the lessor’s property-modification process. The law does not require a lessor to provide an additional parking space.

Check whether the statute’s exceptions fit your building and lease. They include rental properties where charging stations are already available to tenants in at least 10% of designated parking spaces, parking is not provided as part of the lease, or the property has fewer than five parking spaces. The statute also has rent-control-related exceptions; one does not apply to leases executed, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2019. Read the current subdivisions of § 1947.6 and any local ordinance that applies to your tenancy.

A qualifying request can require a written agreement covering the project scope, financial and permit information, installation and electricity costs, maintenance, damage, repair, replacement, removal, and restoration. The statute also addresses liability coverage and has a specific exception tied to equipment certification by an OSHA-approved testing laboratory and work by a licensed electrician. Confirm the applicable terms before agreeing to an insurance or cost condition.

If you own a condo unit

California Civil Code § 4745 applies to charging stations in an owner’s unit or a designated parking space in a common-interest development. Governing documents may not effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict a qualifying station, although reasonable restrictions and local safety, zoning, land-use, and permit requirements still apply.

If the association requires approval, it must process the application like an architectural modification and give its approval or denial in writing. If it does not deny the application in writing within 60 days after receiving it, the application is generally deemed approved unless a reasonable request for more information explains the delay. Keep the complete application, proof of receipt, and all follow-up correspondence; do not assume the period has run when the association has asked for information.

Common-area work has additional approval and installation conditions. An owner generally needs prior association approval and must agree to statutory responsibilities such as using a licensed contractor and paying installation and electricity costs. Separately, § 4745 requires the charging-station owner to maintain liability coverage whether the station is in a separate unit, common area, or exclusive-use common area. The owner who applied must provide the association a certificate within 14 days after approval, with annual certificates thereafter. A homeowner need not maintain this policy for an existing standard NEMA AC power plug. The owner also remains responsible for specified damage, upkeep, removal, restoration, and disclosure duties. For a charger intended for one owner in a common area that is not designated for that owner’s exclusive use, § 4745 sets a separate rule involving whether installation in the designated space is impossible or unreasonably expensive and a license agreement. A shared charger for association members follows its own terms-of-use route.

If you rent in a condo building

Start with your landlord or the unit owner and identify who controls your parking stall and the wiring route. A tenant’s request under § 1947.6 does not by itself authorize changes to an association’s common property. The landlord may need to obtain the association’s approval or coordinate the project with the board. Ask each decision-maker to confirm the process and conditions in writing.

Prepare the request before buying equipment

1. Record whether you are the tenant or unit owner, the lease dates if relevant, whether parking is part of the lease, and how the stall is assigned or designated.
2. Ask who controls the stall, cable route, electrical room, and any common property. Review the lease, parking agreement, declaration, bylaws, and application procedure.
3. Have a qualified electrical contractor assess the proposed route and work. Provide a clear location plan and describe the equipment, electrical supply, metering, and who will handle ongoing costs.
4. Submit the required written request to the correct party. Keep a dated copy and receipt, and ask in writing what additional information or decision is still outstanding.
5. Confirm local permits, inspections, utility requirements, insurance, and project responsibilities before work begins.

The tenant and association-owner statutes answer different questions, and property documents can change which approvals are needed. If the parties disagree about coverage, parking rights, or a statutory condition, consult a California attorney. For a request checklist, see the landlord permission guide or the condo, HOA, and strata proposal guide. Use the local rules and permits workflow for address-specific approvals.