When a tenant asks for a charger
California has a specific statute on tenant requests to install EV charging stations: Civil Code §1947.6. Read the official text on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov and check with your counsel before you respond. General information, not legal advice.
Practical first steps:
- Answer in writing and keep a record of the request date.
- Ask which space, which vehicle and whether Level 1 or Level 2 is wanted.
- Check the panel serving that space before agreeing to a scope.
- Decide whether this is a one-off or the start of a building plan.
Shared vs assigned chargers
| Shared chargers | Assigned chargers | |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses them | Any resident, often by reservation or first come | One resident per space |
| Capacity use | Fewer circuits serve many drivers | One circuit per space adds up fast |
| Billing | Networked, per session or per kWh | Network, submeter or resident's meter |
| Fits | Open lots, garages with turnover | Deeded or assigned spaces, long overnight parking |
How many to install depends on spare capacity and current demand, not a fixed ratio. A common approach is a first group of shared Level 2 ports plus conduit to more spaces, so later phases don't mean new trenching.
Billing residents
Networked chargers can bill per session or by energy used, at a price you set. Assigned circuits are usually tied to the resident's meter or a submeter. Check your lease terms and local rules before you set pricing. For revenue and payback, see multifamily EV charging cost and ROI.
Electrical limits
Every charger draws from the same service that runs common areas, elevators, pumps and units. A load calculation shows the spare capacity. Load management lets more ports share it. See EV load management for multifamily buildings.
Install steps
Assessment
Panel schedules, utility bills, parking map and resident demand.
Design
Charger count, shared or assigned, billing method, load management.
Utility and permits
Utility work only if the service has to change; electrical permit from the city or county.
Install
Scheduled around parking access, with notice to residents.
Launch
Testing, network setup, resident sign-up instructions and a maintenance contact.
Affordable and senior housing
Affordable and senior housing operators often work within regulatory agreements, fixed capital budgets and residents who may not own EVs yet. That favors phased plans: make-ready conduit and capacity now, chargers as demand grows. Some programs have prioritized affordable housing in the past; check current incentive status before planning around funding.