In Washington, a unit owner’s association cannot prohibit or limit the installation or use of an EV charger within the boundaries of a unit, in a designated parking space, or in a limited common element parking space restricted for use by one or more unit owners.
- Like California, Washington’s protections for unit owners include language that highlights alignment with state policy “to promote, encourage, and remove obstacles to the use of electric vehicle charging.”
- The legislation states that an application’s approval or denial must be in writing. If it is not denied within 60 days from the date of receipt, it is automatically deemed approved.
- Washington’s legislation prevents an association from charging a unit owner a fee for the placement of an electric vehicle charging station. That said, an association may charge a reasonable fee for processing the application to approve the installation of an electric vehicle charger, but only if such a fee exists.
- A unit owners association may install an EV charger in the common area for all unit owners.
- The legislation features a civil penalty for unit owners’ associations that do not comply with the right-to-charge laws. In actions to enforce compliance, Washington will cover the attorney fees and costs of the prevailing party for unit owners.
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