An electrical permit generally covers the installation, alteration, extension, or replacement of electrical wiring and permanently connected equipment. Common permit-triggering work includes adding circuits or outlets, installing new wiring, replacing or upgrading service panels, reconnecting electrical service, and supplying power to new equipment. Minor repairs or direct replacement of certain appliances may be exempt in some jurisdictions, but exemptions vary considerably.
Electrical permits are usually treated as trade permits and may follow a different process from the main building permit. Routine residential work can often use a simplified or no-plan permit, while larger or more complex installations may require electrical drawings, load calculations, or formal plan review. San Diego, for example, separates qualifying Simple No-Plan Electrical Permits from projects requiring plans, while Seattle requires plan review for specified electrical installations.
Who may perform the work also varies. Licensed electrical contractors are commonly required for professional work, and local or state licensing requirements may apply before a contractor can obtain the permit. Some jurisdictions allow homeowners to perform electrical work on their own primary residence under limited conditions. Seattle allows qualifying owner-occupants to do their own work, while Portland restricts homeowner electrical permits to qualifying owner-occupied properties and excludes rental or investment property. Philadelphia takes a different approach and requires electrical work to be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Inspections are a central part of electrical permitting. Depending on the project, inspectors may check concealed wiring before walls are closed, electrical service and panels, feeders, grounding and bonding, and the completed installation. New or upgraded utility service can also require coordination with the serving electric utility, and projects involving fire alarms, generators, solar systems, batteries, or EV chargers may have additional permit or inspection requirements.
Select a city-specific electrical permit guide to confirm which work requires a permit, contractor and homeowner rules, plan-review requirements, required inspections, and any utility or specialty approvals that apply locally.