Permissions, Law & Jurisdiction
How Massachusetts General Laws chapter 183A, section 10A treats owner-installed EV charging equipment, association applications, and ongoing responsibilities.
Massachusetts Condo and HOA EV Charger Rights: An Owner’s Guide
Massachusetts law limits how a covered association can restrict an owner’s electric vehicle supply equipment in the owner’s unit or an area the owner has the exclusive right to use. The rule is in General Laws chapter 183A, section 10A. It is a state-specific process, not automatic permission to install a charger in any parking space. This summary was checked September 25, 2026.
Check whether the space and applicant fit
Section 10A applies to owners in the property and association contexts named in the statute, including condominiums, homeowners’ associations, cooperatives, and certain community associations. It protects equipment installed in the owner’s separate interest or an area the owner has exclusive use of. A deeded or specifically assigned space may fit the statute’s definition of a dedicated parking space, but the building documents and actual parking rights still matter.
The statute addresses an owner. If you rent your unit, start with the unit owner and ask who controls the parking space, wiring route, and any common property. A landlord’s approval and an association’s approval may be separate decisions.
Submit a complete request
An association may require an application before installation. If it uses an application for architectural changes, it must process the EV equipment application in the same manner. Prepare a written packet that identifies your unit and parking rights, shows the proposed charger and cable route, and describes the installation. Include drawings, the installer’s qualifications, likely permits, insurance, electricity measurement, and who will pay for maintenance and removal. These details help the association assess the request; confirm any formal application requirements with its current rules.
The association must issue a written approval or denial. If it has not denied the application in writing within 60 days of receiving it, the application is deemed approved unless a reasonable request for additional information explains the delay. Keep proof of delivery and each follow-up. Do not assume the clock has run if the application was not received or the association has reasonably asked for missing information. The law also limits application fees to reasonable fees comparable to those charged for architectural-modification applications.
The association may set reasonable restrictions, but it may not prohibit or unreasonably restrict qualifying equipment. For a required application, the statute directs the association to approve it when the owner complies with the law and any applicable architectural standards. Have the association state any conditions in writing so the installer can incorporate them before work begins.
Plan for the owner’s responsibilities
The owner pays for the equipment and installation and must use a licensed contractor or electrician. The work still has to meet applicable health and safety standards, zoning, land-use rules, and permit requirements. Association approval does not replace those checks.
The owner is also responsible for maintenance, repair and replacement, damage caused by the equipment or work, electricity, and removal and restoration when removal is reasonably required. The statute generally expects the charger to connect to the owner’s own utility account. If the licensed installer says that is impossible, the association must allow a connection to the common account and may require equitable repayment for the electricity. Owners and later owners must disclose the equipment and related responsibilities to prospective buyers.
An association may install charging equipment in common areas for residents or members to use, but that is a separate shared-project decision with terms of use. It is not the same as an owner’s request for equipment serving a private or exclusively used space.
Before work starts
Confirm that the space qualifies, the property documents identify the right decision-maker, and the application and decision are documented. Ask a licensed electrical professional and the local authority to confirm the design, permits, and inspection path before buying equipment or starting construction. If the owner and association disagree about the statute or a parking right, get Massachusetts legal advice for the specific property.
For a board-ready project packet, see the condo, HOA, or strata proposal guide. Renters can start with the landlord permission checklist, and every project should use the local rules and permits workflow for address-specific approvals.