EV Charging Master Plan for Divided Co-ownership

In Montreal and on the South Shore, more and more co-owners are driving electric vehicles. Without a clear framework, charging station requests pile up, costs spiral and electrical capacity becomes strained. An electric vehicle (EV) charging master plan is the reference tool for a syndicate: it sets out the technical implementation, governance and allocation of condo fees. In SEO, people often search for “EV charging master plan divided co-ownership”; in practice, it is above all a structured method for deciding, prioritizing and deploying without conflict.

Update note: current as of 2026-06-18.

Why have a master plan for a condo building?

A master plan aligns the board of directors’ objectives with the building’s technical reality. In divided co-ownership, it governs work in the common portions, specifies what falls under the private portions and documents the choices for the minutes of the annual general meeting. When properly prepared, it reduces approval delays, mitigates risks and promotes social acceptance.

Key benefits for your syndicate and co-owners:

• Optimized, scalable electrical capacity based on demand.
• Transparent criteria for handling requests (priority order, parking spaces, tenants).
• Financial fairness: who pays what, when and how, without penalizing the overall common expenses.
• Compliance with the Civil Code of Quebec for decisions, updates to the declaration of co-ownership and by-laws of the immovable.
• Simple operation (energy billing, maintenance, safety) with clear responsibilities.

For operational support, see our Services, including operations management and financial management.

Assessing the building’s capacity and constraints

The first step is to map the electrical system’s condition. A serious master plan is based on data.

Readings and load study

• Record the available power at the main service, secondary panels and indoor parking spaces.
• Measure the actual load over a representative period (weekdays/weekends, winter/summer peaks).
• Identify cable routes, available conduits, technical spaces and physical constraints (clear height, fire separations, exits).
• Assess growth scenarios (10%, 30%, 60% of spaces with EVs) and the future need for load management.

RBQ safety and compliance

Every charging station installation must comply with the Construction Code (electricity) and be completed by a licensed electrical contractor holding an RBQ licence. The Regie du batiment du Quebec specifies grounding, protection and accessory requirements suited to parking environments. Consult the RBQ for good practices relating to EV charging stations.

Choosing the charging architecture and governance model

The choice of architecture affects start-up costs, fairness and ease of operation. Three models predominate in multi-residential buildings.

• Common infrastructure (EVCI): the syndicate deploys the power supply and conduits to each parking space; co-owners connect a compatible charging station. Energy is measured by submeters and re-billed without a markup.
• Shared charging stations in zones: a few common charging stations serve nearby parking spaces. Reservation and usage-based pricing make this a good transition option.
• Dedicated individual charging stations: each co-owner finances and operates their own charging station, subject to uniform technical conditions. This is mainly viable where capacity and conduits already exist.

Criteria for deciding:

• Initial capex versus incremental costs for each additional charging station.
• Ease of maintenance and assistance in the event of a breakdown.
• Measurability and fair re-billing of energy.
• Resilience: fault tolerance and cybersecurity for smart charging stations.

Several syndicates favour EVCI with dynamic load management (LMS), which makes it possible to power more charging stations from the same service. Require open charging stations (OCPP) to avoid vendor lock-in.

Usage policies and priorities

The by-laws of the immovable may specify:

• Eligibility (EV owners, plug-in hybrids, guest EVs) and required proof.
• Priorities: first, spaces near a riser, followed by rotation; or a documented annual lottery recorded in the minutes.
• Pricing: service access fees, a per-kWh or per-hour parking rate, and penalties for abusive occupancy.
• Rules governing extension cords, sharing RFID cards and unauthorized work in the common portions.

RGCQ publishes useful guidance on co-ownership practices. Refer to its resources and publications to support your decisions.

Legal framework, votes and syndicate documents

The Civil Code of Quebec governs decisions relating to the common portions. The syndicate’s purpose is to preserve the building and administer the common portions (see article 1039 of the Civil Code of Quebec; consult the Civil Code of Quebec on LégisQuébec). Adding charging infrastructure may constitute a major improvement or substantial modification to the common portions; depending on its scope, it may require a reinforced majority (see article 1097 of the Civil Code of Quebec) or, in extreme cases, unanimity (see article 1098 of the Civil Code of Quebec). Consult your legal adviser to characterize the project and determine the applicable voting threshold.

Good governance practices:

• Put the item on the annual general meeting agenda with explanatory documents (technical note, scenarios, budget, impacts on common expenses and possible special assessments).
• Submit the principle, selected model and pricing framework to a vote; then delegate execution and supplier selection to the board of directors.
• Update the declaration of co-ownership and by-laws of the immovable, as needed, to incorporate usage policies, responsibilities and sanctions.
• Record all resolutions in the minutes and publish implementation procedures for co-owners.

For a plain-language overview of the real estate implications of divided co-ownership, the OACIQ offers a reference page on divided co-ownership, which is useful for brokers and sellers who must disclose the presence of charging infrastructure.

Financing, cost allocation and operation

A credible master plan details the financial and operational mechanics. The goal is to avoid any unintended cross-subsidization between co-owners while encouraging deployment.

Financing and allocation

• Base infrastructure capex: main wiring, panels, conduits and LMS controllers. It may be financed through common expenses (the operating budget or a special assessment), depending on the approved mandate. Depending on the legal interpretation, part of it may fall under the contingency fund if it is intended to preserve and optimize the building; otherwise, a specific operating budget item is preferable.
• Individual charging station capex: charging station, final wiring and supports at the parking space. This is paid by the user co-owner, with technical specifications imposed by the syndicate.
• Energy and maintenance: measured and re-billed based on usage, without profit, through a submetering system or integrated billing software.
• Management fees: portal, cards and customer service. These are charged to users or partially absorbed through common expenses if the annual general meeting so decides.

Tip: provide for a security deposit or activation fee to cover initial administration and discourage requests that are not followed through.

Also consult our services pages to structure re-billing, issuing notices and tracking user payments.

Deployment, maintenance and safety

• Contracts and RBQ: require a licence, insurance and compliant equipment documentation. Verify the parts and software warranty.
• Integration into the maintenance logbook (EUC): add technical data sheets, software update schedules, annual inspections and circuit-breaker tests.
• Procedures: logging breakdowns, intervention SLAs, access to technical rooms and submeter readings.
• Safety: manage cables to prevent falls, provide suitable ventilation and fire detection, and post clear instructions.
• Cybersecurity: require encryption, automatic updates, access logging and a contingency plan if the supplier ceases operations.

In the event of a major hardware change, return to the annual general meeting as needed. Document decisions in the minutes to ensure traceability.

Recommended steps for developing your master plan

1. Board of directors’ mandate: define the objectives (target capacity over 5 years, pricing model, access policy).
2. Technical study: commission a load study and scenarios from a qualified professional.
3. Consultation: gauge co-owner interest (online survey, information meeting).
4. Choose the architecture: compare 2-3 costed scenarios (TCO, scalability, risks).
5. Drafting: prepare the plan (technical, governance, financial and deployment components) and the proposed by-law.
6. Annual general meeting and vote: present the plan, answer questions, make adjustments and vote.
7. Requests for proposals: specify deliverables, acceptance criteria and late penalties.
8. Commissioning: conduct tests, train users and publish procedures.
9. Follow-up: provide a quarterly report to the board of directors (use, costs, incidents) and update the plan annually.

For the legal foundations, consult the Civil Code of Quebec – CCQ-1991 and discuss with a legal professional the application of articles 1039, 1097 and 1098 to your project.

FAQ – EV charging in divided co-ownership

Q1. Can a co-owner impose their charging station project?
A. No. Work in the common portions requires the syndicate’s authorization and, depending on the scope, a resolution passed at the annual general meeting. The board of directors may delegate the technical analysis and impose uniform conditions.

Q2. Can electricity be re-billed by the kWh?
A. Several systems allow precise submetering or pricing based on occupancy time. The syndicate must re-bill without a markup and describe the mechanism in the by-laws of the immovable to ensure fairness and transparency.

Q3. Is the declaration of co-ownership required to be amended?
A. Often, updating the by-laws of the immovable is sufficient to govern usage and pricing. However, some major projects may justify adjusting the declaration of co-ownership; confirm this with a notary.

For more articles and news, browse our blog.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer or notary.

Do you manage a co-ownership in Quebec? Explore our plans or contact us to assess your needs.