Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Policies for Multifamily Housing

A multifamily housing or townhouse owner may install EV chargers on or near a parking stall at the dwelling as long as the EV charger is in compliance with applicable rules and specifications, the EV charger is registered with the private entity within 30 days of installation, and the homeowner receives consent from the private entity if the EV charger is placed in a common area. Private entities may adopt rules that restrict the placement and use of EV charger but may not charge a fee for the placement. The EV charger owner is responsible for any damages resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the EV charger. A private entity includes associations of homeowners, community associations, condominium associations, cooperatives, or any nongovernmental entity with covenants.

A working group within the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism identified and examined the issues regarding multifamily housing EV charger requests to private entities. The group reported its findings and recommendations to the state legislature in December 2015.

(Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-7.5)