California Senate Bill 770 took effect on January 1, 2026, and it removes a specific requirement that had been a real point of friction for homeowners trying to install EV chargers in HOA common areas or exclusive-use common areas.

What changed

SB 770 amends Civil Code 4745 to eliminate the prior requirement that a homeowner installing an EV charging station name the HOA as an additional insured on their own personal insurance policy. That requirement added cost and complexity to what was already, for many homeowners, a multi-step approval process.

Why it matters

California has had solar and EV-charger access protections on the books for a while, aimed at preventing HOAs from blocking these installations outright. But the additional-insured requirement had become a practical bottleneck — insurers don't always offer that endorsement easily, and getting it added could delay a project for weeks. Removing that specific requirement doesn't eliminate the HOA's ability to review and approve the installation, but it takes one of the more common points of delay off the table.

Planning to install an EV charger in your California HOA? Your association can still have a reasonable approval process and require you to carry adequate coverage generally — but as of 2026, they can no longer specifically require you to add them as an additional insured for this.

This is general information, not legal advice — HOA solar and EV access laws continue to evolve; confirm current requirements with your association and, if needed, a California real estate attorney.

This post reflects our understanding of publicly reported news and legal changes as of its publish date above — laws, rules, and market conditions continue to change. This isn't legal, financial, or insurance advice; confirm anything specific to your situation with a licensed professional.

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