The BC Strata Act on requesting for an EV Charger installation

Simplified Summary: Installing EV Chargers in a Strata Property

1. Requesting Approval for an EV Charger

- An owner can ask the strata corporation (the group that manages the building/property) for permission to install an EV charger in their parking spot if changes to common property (shared areas) are needed.

- The request must:

- Include required details (if any).

- Be made on or after a set date (if rules specify).

- Follow any other rules set by regulations.

2. How the Strata Corporation Decides

The strata can approve the request if:

- Any major changes to shared areas are approved by a formal vote (if needed).

- The EV charger meets certain rules, such as:

- Being an approved type of charger.

- The owner having exclusive rights to use that parking spot (if it’s shared property).

- Any other rules set by law.

Other things the strata may consider:

- Whether the new charger works well with existing or future chargers.

- If the building’s electrical system can handle it.

- Any other legal requirements.

Important:The strata "cannot" unreasonably reject a request.

3. Conditions for Approval

The strata can set reasonable rules, such as:

- Approving the charger model, contractors, or materials.

- Requiring the owner to update their charger if the strata installs a shared system later.

- If multiple owners request chargers, they may share costs and responsibilities.

The strata must make a decision within a set time (if rules specify).

4. If Approved: Who Pays & What Happens?

- Option 1: The strata makes the changes (installs the charger).

- The owner must pay upfront for the estimated costs.

- If costs are higher, the owner pays the difference.

- If the owner overpays, they get a refund.

- Option 2: The owner makes the changes themselves.

- The owner covers all costs unless agreed otherwise.

Note: Installing a charger doesn’t change who has rights to the parking spot.

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Key Takeaways:

- Owners can request EV chargers but must follow strata rules.

- The strata must approve reasonable requests.

- The owner usually pays for installation.

- The strata can set conditions to ensure fairness and safety.

Attached below is the exact text from the Strata Act as of April 2025 :

Division 6 — Alterations to Common Property to Install EV Charging Infrastructure for Owner

Owner request for approval of alterations

90.1 (1)An owner may request that the strata corporation approve proposed alterations to common property, or to land that is a common asset, that are necessary for the purposes of installing EV charging infrastructure for use at a parking stall.

(2)A request under subsection (1) must

(a)include the prescribed information, if any,

(b)be made on or after the date determined in accordance with the regulations, and

(c)comply with any other requirements set out in the regulations.

Consideration of owner request by strata corporation

90.2 (1)The strata corporation may approve an owner's request made under section 90.1 if

(a)the proposed alteration, to the extent that it constitutes a significant change in the use or appearance of common property or land that is a common asset, has been approved by a resolution in accordance with section 71 (b), and

(b)the strata corporation is satisfied that all of the criteria set out in subsection (2) are met.

(2)The criteria referred to in subsection (1) (b) are as follows:

(a)the proposed EV charging infrastructure is in a prescribed class of EV charging infrastructure;

(b)if the parking stall is common property or located on land that is a common asset, at the time the request is made, the owner has a right, permission or privilege to use the parking stall to the exclusion of other owners;

(c)any prescribed criteria.

(3)Without limiting the strata corporation's discretion under subsection (1), in deciding whether to approve an owner's request, the strata corporation may consider the following matters:

(a)the compatibility of the proposed EV charging infrastructure with

(i)existing EV charging infrastructure in the strata corporation,

(ii)other EV charging infrastructure that may be installed by the strata corporation or another owner, and

(iii)any system the strata corporation uses, or plans to use, to manage electricity used by EV charging infrastructure;

(b)the capacity of, and current and anticipated demands on, the strata corporation's electrical system;

(c)any prescribed matters.

(4)The strata corporation must not unreasonably refuse to approve an owner's request made under section 90.1.

(5)The strata corporation may require the owner to agree in writing to reasonable conditions of an approval, including, without limitation, conditions requiring the owner to

(a)obtain the strata corporation's approval of EV charging infrastructure, contractors, materials or other matters related to the alteration,

(b)modify or replace the proposed EV charging infrastructure in the event that the strata corporation installs other EV charging infrastructure for the benefit of the owners, or

(c)if more than one owner makes the request, accept joint and several liability for expenses associated with making the alteration or for other costs.

(6)The strata corporation must decide whether to approve an owner's request within the prescribed period, if any, after receiving the request.

If owner request approved

90.3 (1)If, on request of an owner under section 90.1, the strata corporation approves a proposed alteration to common property or land that is a common asset,

(a)the strata corporation may

(i)make the alteration, or

(ii)allow the owner to make the alteration, and

(b)the owner is responsible for any expenses associated with making the alteration, unless otherwise agreed between the owner and the strata corporation.

(2)If the strata corporation makes the alteration, the owner must, unless otherwise agreed between the owner and the strata corporation, do the following:

(a)before the strata corporation makes the alteration, pay to the strata corporation an amount that, in the opinion of the strata corporation, is sufficient to cover all expenses associated with making the alteration;

(b)if the amount referred to in paragraph (a) is insufficient to cover all expenses associated with making the alteration, pay to the strata corporation on request any amounts required to cover the remaining expenses.

(3)If the amount paid by an owner to the strata corporation under subsection (2) (a) or (b) exceeds the amount required to cover expenses associated with making the alteration, the strata corporation must pay the excess amount to the owner.

(4)For certainty, the installation of EV charging infrastructure as a result of an alteration made at an owner's request under this Division does not affect any person's rights, permissions or privileges in relation to the use of a parking stall.