BY JOHN KIRITSIS, ESQ., CPA, MBA, MS, JD, LL.M
Creating a homeowners association (HOA) policy for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in a New York City (NYC) building involves considerations related to property rights, legal regulations, and the needs of residents. Here’s a general legal guide to help you navigate the process:
- Understand Applicable Laws:
Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to EV charging infrastructure, accessibility, and building codes. NYC and New York State have specific requirements that must be adhered to.
- Review Governing Documents:
Examine the building’s governing documents, including the bylaws, house rules, and any existing policies. Determine whether they address EV charging stations and whether amendments are needed to accommodate them.
- Common Area vs. Private Space:
Determine whether the charging stations will be installed in common areas or designated private parking spaces. Different regulations and permissions may apply depending on the location.
- Accessibility Compliance:
Ensure that any charging stations installed in common areas comply with accessibility laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to accommodate residents with disabilities.
- Charging Infrastructure Ownership:
Decide whether the building’s HOA will own and maintain the charging infrastructure or whether individual unit owners will be responsible for installation and maintenance.
- Allocation of Costs:
Determine how costs for installing, maintaining, and operating charging stations will be allocated. This could include installation expenses, electricity costs, and ongoing maintenance.
- Rights and Restrictions:
Outline the rights and responsibilities of unit owners who wish to install EV charging stations. This should include guidelines for installation, aesthetics, safety, and compliance.
- Installation Process:
Detail the process for obtaining HOA approval for installing charging stations, including required documentation, timelines, and any review fees.
- Technical Specifications:
Specify technical requirements for charging station installation, including voltage, capacity, and compatibility with different EV models.
- Insurance and Liability:
Address insurance coverage and liability issues related to EV charging stations, both for the HOA and individual unit owners.
- Enforcement and Violations:
Establish procedures for enforcing the EV charging policy and addressing violations, such as unauthorized installations or non-compliance with guidelines.
- Future-Proofing:
Consider the potential growth in EV adoption and plan for the scalability of the charging infrastructure to meet future demand.
- Legal Review:
Work with legal professionals who specialize in NYC real estate law to draft and review the EV charging policy to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
- Resident Communication:
Communicate the new EV charging policy to all residents and provide a platform for them to seek clarification or request installations.
- Implementation and Maintenance:
Once the policy is established, ensure that it is effectively implemented and maintained, with ongoing monitoring and adjustments as needed.
Creating an HOA policy for EV charging stations in an NYC building requires careful consideration of legal, technical, and practical aspects. By developing a comprehensive policy that takes into account the interests of residents, property management, and legal compliance, you can facilitate the integration of EV charging infrastructure within your building while maintaining a harmonious living environment.
Citations, References and Potentially Useful Resources for Further Information:
U.S. Constitution
New York State Constitution
Federal Securities Regulation
New York State Martin Act
New York Condominium Act
New York State Security Regulations
New York Business Corporation Law
New York Limited Liability Company Law
New York Uniform Partnership Act
Federal Internal Revenue Code
New York State Tax Laws, Rules & Regulations
New York City Tax Laws, Rules & Regulations
Winston Churchill Owners, Inc. v. Regents Real Estate Associates
Board of Managers of the Park Regis Condominium v. Park Regis Owners Corp.
Park Sutton Condominium v. 447 E. 57th St. LLC
28 E. 10th Street Corp. v. Veras
Riverside Syndicate, Inc. v. Munroe
Essex House Condominium v. Marks
The Parc Vendome Condominium v. Atkinson
54-56 Meserole Street Owners Corp. v. Rossi
The Beekman Regent Condominium v. Bottiglieri
Chelsea 19th LLC v. West 19th Street Realty LLC
ACRIS
New York Department of Finance
New York City Department of Buildings
New York City Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Call 212 922 0005. Kiritsis Law Group.
Manhattan Office: 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Phone# 212 922 0005.
New Jersey Office: 7309 Ventnor Avenue, Ventnor, NJ 08406. Phone# 212 922 0005.
Brooklyn Office: 6902 11th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Phone# 212 922 0005.
Feel free to call us at 212-922-0005 for a free, brief and confidential consultation.
Whether buying real estate, having years of un-filed tax returns, have an immigration question, considering to start a business, faced with a commercial/business dispute or thinking about getting a prenuptial agreement — Our law firm is willing, able and ready to assist you. Call us at 212 922 0005.
We represent businesses and individuals throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City and most of New Jersey.
For a free, brief initial phone consultation with an attorney, call us today at 212 922 0005.
Our law firm provides a full range of legal services, within the following practice areas:
Real Estate
Business Law
Tax & Accounting Services
Immigration Law
Asset Protection
Business/Commercial Litigation & Disputes
The materials available through this website and any other websites owned by John Kiritsis (individually and collectively, the “Website”) are the property of John Kiritsis and his entities, and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not use, reproduce, download, store, post, broadcast, transmit, modify, sell, or make available to the public content from the Website without the prior written approval of John Kiritsis. Beware that any unauthorized use of John Kiritsis’ trademarks and copyrighted content for commercial purposes in violation of John Kiritsis’s intellectual property rights, will be vigorously enforced. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referenced in this site are the property of John Kiritsis.
ANY AND ALL INFORMATION POSTED IN THIS WEBSITE SHALL NOT BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVISE BY PROPERLY LICENSED COMPETENT ATTORNEYS. FOR INFORMATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. NOT SUBJECTED TO FINALIZED LEGAL EDIT WITH REGARDS TO CONTENT. SITE PRONE TO CONTAINING ERRORS OF STATEMENT OF LAWS, RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS WHERE APPLICABLE.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME.
The views expressed by this author are not legally binding or reflective of the author, the author’s firm, the author’s employers, the author’s employees, or any individual and/or organization.