Electrical Permit in Houston, TX
Permit Summary
Who Can Do the Electrical Work?
Homeowner Eligibility Rules
Houston's current electrical administrative provisions state that only a licensed and registered electrical contractor may obtain an electrical permit. Houston's permit guidance likewise states that electrical permits are issued to registered master electricians for ordinary electrical work. There is no general homeowner electrical trade-permit pathway for permit-required work.
Contractor Rules
Permit-required electrical work is generally handled by a Texas-licensed electrical contractor with a master electrician of record who is registered with the City of Houston. The master and contractor registrations must remain in good standing to schedule inspections. Certain appliance installation permits may be issued to a properly registered appliance installer, while work that is expressly permit-exempt does not require an electrical permit.
Permit & Plan Review
Electrical Work Covered
A permit is generally required to install, alter, repair, replace, or remodel electrical systems or equipment regulated by Houston's electrical code unless the work falls within a listed exemption. Houston issues electrical permits for work such as outlets and circuits, panels, meter-loop and service work, motors, generators, temporary service, reconnections, EV charging outlets, lighting, and other regulated electrical installations.
Plan Review Rules
Houston may require electrical plans, calculations, diagrams, specifications, load information, and related documents depending on project scope. The building official may waive plan submission when the nature of the work does not require plan review. Houston guidance notes that large commercial projects may require plan review, and Level 3 EV charging outlets require plans. When online plan review is required, applicants complete the permit application and fees in iPermits and then upload required drawings and documents to ProjectDox.
Quick / No-Plan Permit Rules
Registered electrical contractors can purchase many electrical trade permits through iPermits and print the permit after completing the application and paying applicable fees. The no-plan-review path is available when the project does not require plans; for example, Houston lists temporary saw-pole permits as not requiring plan review. Projects that trigger plan review must use the applicable review process before approval.
Service, Panel & Utility Requirements
Service / Panel Rules
Electrical service and meter-loop work requires an electrical permit and inspection. Houston's 2026 fee schedule separately prices meter-loop/service work by kW and panels with eight or more circuits. Service upgrades that increase capacity may require a Meter Loop Service permit, and project-specific plans, load calculations, or one-line diagrams may be required for larger services or other reviewed work.
Service Reconnect Rules
Houston charges a $94.00 reconnection fee in the 2026 electrical fee schedule. Reconnection or temporary cut-in work is handled through an electrical permit by a registered contractor and requires City inspection or release before utility service is restored. For service-restoration work, Houston directs the registered contractor to coordinate the City release with CenterPoint, while the customer may also need to coordinate with the retail electric provider.
Low-Voltage Rules
Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 50 volts and not capable of supplying or controlling more than 50 watts are permit-exempt. Houston also exempts specified sound equipment, private or public telephone systems, thermostat wiring, and burglar alarm systems, but a permit is required to wire those systems to the source of electricity. Work that does not satisfy the exemption thresholds or another listed exemption remains subject to the electrical permit rules.
Utility Coordination Rules
Utility coordination is required for work involving new service, meter installation, service upgrades, temporary cut-ins, reconnections, or other energization changes. CenterPoint states that it will interconnect distribution facilities after receiving the required local approval or permit information. Houston's service-restoration guidance requires the registered electrical contractor to obtain the City release to CenterPoint, and service upgrades or outages may also require coordination with the customer's retail electric provider.
Inspections & Permit Life
Electrical Inspection Stages
Permit-required electrical work is subject to City inspection. Wiring or equipment intended to be concealed must remain accessible until inspected and approved, and a final inspection is required when the installation is complete. Service, feeder, temporary cut-in, reconnection, and other project-specific inspections may also apply. Electrical systems generally may not be connected to the energy source until inspected and authorized by the building official.
Permit Expiration / Inspection Interval
Houston's common electrical permit pages list a 180-day valid period. Current electrical administrative provisions also tie permit activity to inspection progress: if work does not commence or is abandoned for the applicable period, the permit can lapse and require reactivation or a new permit under the code. Applicants should keep the permit active by requesting required inspections as work progresses.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Permit-required electrical work must comply with the 2023 National Electrical Code and Houston administrative amendments. A licensed and City-registered electrical contractor must obtain the permit, identify the project and scope in iPermits, pay applicable fees, submit plans or calculations when required, keep approved plans on site when applicable, and request required inspections before concealed work is covered and before final approval or energization.
Exemptions
Houston Electrical Code Section 301.2 exempts specified work from an electrical permit, including qualifying plug-connected appliances, certain same-type and same-rating repairs or replacements, temporary decorative lighting for no more than 90 days, replacement of certain current-carrying or overcurrent parts in place, electrical systems operating at less than 50 volts and not capable of supplying or controlling more than 50 watts, and specified sound, telephone, thermostat, and burglar-alarm wiring. Wiring those systems to the source of electricity still requires a permit. Exempt work must still comply with applicable code and law.
Required Documents
The electrical permit application must identify the work, project location, use or occupancy, electrical contractor, and the properly licensed master electrician of record. Plans, calculations, diagrams, and other data are required when directed by the code or building official; the building official may waive plan submission when review is not necessary. Houston's online process uses iPermits and, when plan review is required, ProjectDox. First-time iPermits users may also need the iPermits Acknowledgement Form.