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When is an Electrical Permit Required?

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An electrical permit is required when any electrical system is installed, altered, repaired, replaced or remodeled unless specifically exempted by the California Electric Code or by County Ordinance. For information on Electrical Service Upgrades, please review the Electrical Service Upgrades Guidelines. Most electrical permits may be applied for through EZ Permit.

The Following are Exempt from Electrical Permits

  1. Repair / Replacement:
    1. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles.
    2. Repair or replacement of fixed motors, transformers or fixed approved appliances of the same type and rating in the same location.
    3. Repair or replacement of any overcurrent device of the required capacity on the same location.
    4. Taping joints.
    5. Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, conductor or control device.
    6. Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems.
  2. Removal:
    1. Removal of electrical wiring.
  3. Temporary Installations:
    1. Temporary decorative lighting
    2. The wiring of temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.
    3. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.
  4. Portable Equipment:
    1. Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug end to be connected to an appropriate receptacle.
  5. Low-energy, -voltage, -wattage, Equipment:
    1. Low-energy power, control and signal circuits.
    2. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
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