2026-09-09 · District of Columbia · Legislation

The District of Columbia's right-to-charge law for condominium and community associations is on the books and legally inoperative. The codified section that would give a unit owner the right to install an electric vehicle charging port is headed “Electric vehicle charging port rights for condominium associations, community associations, or other common interest developments. [Not Funded]” — and its body contains no operative text at all.¹

It has been in that condition since the underlying law took effect on March 7, 2025, and it remains so today.

What happened

The Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Access, Readiness, and Sustainability Amendment Act of 2024 created three new sections: one for single-family new construction, one for tenants, and — at § 4(c) — D.C. Code § 6-1451.03c for common interest developments.²

Section 7 of the same Act made its application conditional: the Act applies upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. That inclusion has not happened. The DC Law Library's note is explicit — the creation of the section is subject to inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, “[t]herefore that amendment has not been implemented.”

Subject-to-appropriations clauses are ordinary in DC legislation, and they are the reason a District law can be passed, signed, survive congressional review, take effect, and still do nothing.

What the section would have done

The unimplemented text would require an association to allow installation in a deeded or designated parking space at the owner's expense, while permitting the association to impose conditions: compliance with safety and building codes, registration within 30 days after installation, reasonable architectural standards for dimensions, placement and appearance, and a bar on licensing, renting or subletting the space.

The owner would have to use licensed electricians, submit stamped plans, bear installation and electricity costs, cover damage to common elements, and carry insurance naming the association as an additional insured. Applications could not be unreasonably delayed and would be deemed approved if not addressed within 60 days of receipt, absent a reasonable request for more information. An association in violation would face fines of up to $1,000 for each 60-day period.

1. D.C. Code § 6-1451.03c, Electric vehicle charging port rights for condominium associations, community associations, or other common interest developments [Not Funded] ↩
2. D.C. Law 25-262, the Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Access, Readiness, and Sustainability Amendment Act of 2024 (Bill 25-106; D.C. Act 25-625; 71 DCR 14111; effective Mar. 7, 2025) ↩