Washington law sets rules for home chargers and heat pumps

Associations must process required applications to install charging stations in writing and may not willfully delay them. These rules cover owners seeking to install a personal-use charging station in a unit or a parking space assigned to that owner. An association may charge a reasonable application fee only if it charges a fee for all architectural-change applications. If the association does not deny the application in writing within 60 days, it is approved unless the association reasonably asks for more information. Some single-family, site-condominium, and nonadjacent planned communities may not require approval unless the station is on shared property or connects to shared power. The 60-day period starts when the association receives the application.

Associations must approve certain heat-pump installations when installation is reasonably possible and the owner agrees in writing to follow the stated requirements. These provisions cover heat pumps that unit owners install in common interest communities. Owners must follow reasonable design standards, use a heating and cooling contractor familiar with heat pumps, and meet the section's requirements. Owners must obtain required local permits and follow building and safety rules; they generally pay installation costs. Board approval is required for equipment placed on or in shared property, and the board may not unreasonably withhold approval.

Associations must have their financial statements audited each year. This applies to common interest associations that prepare annual financial statements. Associations with annual assessments of $100,000 or more must have an audit. Associations below that amount also need an annual audit, but unit owners other than the declarant may waive it by majority vote. The dollar amount changes under the law's inflation rule. The $100,000 amount is adjusted under the law's inflation rule.

The law lists which state community rules apply to certain small communities and communities made up only of middle housing. These provisions cover qualifying small communities and communities made up only of middle housing. A small community must have no more than 50 units and meet the declaration's assessment limit. A community made up only of middle housing must have no more than six units and meet its assessment limit. The exceptions also depend on declaration terms and good-faith beliefs described in the law. The section states these applicability rules for the period before January 1, 2028.