Electrical Permit Basics

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The Basics for Home and Business Owners...

When you need an electrical permit

An electrical permit is required for most new, remodel, and maintenance electrical work.

A permit is a vital step to a safe installation

A permit will ensure the work done on your property conforms to current safety codes. Your best protection is purchasing an electrical permit and having your electrical work inspected, as required by law.

If a permit is not purchased before work is started

You could be subject to civil penalties if you do not obtain a permit before the electrical work is started. By not purchasing a permit, you might incur additional penalties that could:

• Affect your ability to obtain financing or sell your property.
• Prevent you from obtaining insurance or collect on insurance claims.
• Bring a fine of up to $2,000 for each day a violation occurs.
• Result in a disconnection of your electrical power.

Each day at each location a violation occurs constitutes a separate violation. Additional penalties can be levied for failure to correct any violations noted during an electrical inspection.

When a permit is not required

Certain projects do not require a permit. They include:

• Travel trailers.
• Plug-in appliances.
• Like-in-kind replacement of circuit breakers, fuses, lamps, snap switches, receptacle outlets, household appliances, heating elements, light fixture ballasts, contactors, relays, timers, motor starters, similar control components and small motors.

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For more information:
Go to Electrical Installations: What You Should Know Before Doing Electrical Work to get:

• A list of example electrical work that either requires or does not require a permit and inspection.
• Helpful suggestions about how to protect yourself, your home and your property investment by getting the proper electrical work permits and inspections.
• Detailed instructions and helpful hints about the electrical permit and inspection process.