Electrical Permit in New Orleans, LA
Permit Summary
Who Can Do the Electrical Work?
Homeowner Eligibility Rules
New Orleans does not provide an ordinary homeowner self-permit pathway for electrical work that requires an electrical permit. The current permit page and application supplement state that the electrical permit can be obtained or applied for only by a City of New Orleans Class "A" licensed electrical contractor.
Contractor Rules
Only a City of New Orleans Class "A" electrical license holder may file the electrical permit under the City's current permitting procedure. For online filing, a Class "A" license holder must have the license linked to a One Stop account after identity/account verification. Electrical contractors performing work in the city must maintain the applicable City electrical license; the Class "A" Master Electrical License is renewed annually.
Permit & Plan Review
Electrical Work Covered
A permit is required to install, repair, replace, or alter electrical apparatus or equipment. The current application supplement identifies work such as new construction, renovation, repair, vacancy, temporary poles, generators, semi-annual work, signs, solar, service increases, and service reductions. The public permit page expressly exempts replacement of light bulbs and fuses.
Plan Review Rules
Electrical plan review depends on project scope. Electrical construction documents are submitted with a related building-permit application when required, and projects routed to Electrical Plan Review may be required to provide electrical drawings, specifications, scope/cost documentation, or corrections through One Stop. Current One Stop review records show that larger or more complex scopes can require Louisiana-registered electrical-engineer plans and specifications.
Service, Panel & Utility Requirements
Service / Panel Rules
Service changes, service increases or reductions, temporary poles, and related panel/circuit work are electrical-permit scopes. The application records service amperage and new-circuit counts, which also affect the permit fee. Service or meter work must pass the applicable City inspection before the utility-side connection or meter release when that approval is required.
Service Reconnect Rules
If a municipal address or location has been without electric service for more than six months, an electrical permit and inspection are required before service can be reconnected. If service has been absent for more than 24 months, the City's meter-release policy requires a building permit before the electrical permit. An Entergy meter-release authorization expires after six months; if the meter was not installed, a new authorization requires reinspection.
Low-Voltage Rules
The City electrical fee schedule includes a $40 low-voltage permit category, and Chapter 27 contains specific low-voltage installation standards. Low-voltage wiring must be properly attached to structural components, abandoned wiring must be removed when replaced, installation must be neat and workmanlike, penetrations must preserve required fire ratings, and products must be properly listed and labeled. The general electrical-permit provision expressly covers equipment or wiring carrying 49 volts or more.
Utility Coordination Rules
Utility coordination applies to service, meter, reconnect, and similar utility-interface work. City electrical rules provide that the Department authorizes the utility's final meter connection and issues the Entergy Permit & Inspection Desk Electrical Meter Release Authorization for the address. Reconnect and meter-release work is subject to the City's inspection and release rules before energization.
Inspections & Permit Life
Electrical Inspection Stages
Inspections are required for all electrical permits, with one or more inspections depending on scope. The City's current inspection page lists Underground, Rough/Open Wall, Deck-Bonding for pool electrical work, Temporary 30-Day/Pre-Occupancy for qualifying commercial uses, and Final Inspection/Emergency Reconnect. Inspections may be requested only after the permit status is Issued.
Permit Expiration / Inspection Interval
The current Electrical Permit page states that a permit is valid for six months of inactivity and the contractor must reapply after six months. Before expiration, the City's inspections page states that a General Inspection can extend a permit's life by 180 days without a separate Permit Extension Request Form.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Obtain the electrical permit before performing covered electrical work. The permit must be obtained by a City of New Orleans Class "A" licensed electrical contractor, and online filing requires the contractor's license to be linked to a verified One Stop account. Work must comply with applicable electrical and construction codes, related permits must be obtained when required, and required inspections must be passed.
Exemptions
The City's current Electrical Permit page expressly exempts replacement of light bulbs and fuses. The City code also treats connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles as minor electrical repair/maintenance not requiring a permit.
Required Documents
Application information includes the Electrical Permit Application Supplement C or online equivalent; related building permit number when applicable; project address and current/proposed use; Class "A" contractor and City license information; owner information; description and value of work; service amperage; new-circuit count; and applicable quantities for signs, floats, generators, elevators, man lifts, and dumbwaiters. Plans, specifications, or other electrical plan-review documents may be required when the project is routed to plan review.