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Plan (required) Electrical Permit

If your project includes a building construction plan, you will need to submit for a Building Permit and include your electrical plans in your submittal.

Electrical plans and calculations are required for all buildings and structures other than one-and two-family dwellings except when the installation qualifies for a no-plan permit. Applicants must obtain Electrical Permit for all electrical work and shall only be issued to a person, firm, or corporation that holds a valid California State Contractor’s License that permits electrical installation or to the property owner or lessee.

Plan Your Project

What You Should Know

  • Single Dwelling Unit/Duplex: Electrical plans are not required for electrical wiring in one- and two-family dwellings or townhouses, as defined in the California Residential Code, and their accessory structures, unless they are connected to on-site alternative power production. SDMC Section 129.0307, (c), (1)

  • All Other Buildings and Structures, Construction Permits – Structures, Section 2: Electrical plans and calculations are required for all buildings and structures other than one-and two-family dwellings except when the installation qualifies for a no-plan permit (Simple Permit).  See Simple Permits for further information.

  • Your project may require a historic review to determine conformance with the historic resources regulations if your project is located:
    • On a site with a designated historic resource
    • Within a designated historic district
    • On a site containing a structure of 45 years or more.
  • Please review  Information Bulletin 581 for additional information.

Fees

Exemptions

Exemptions from an Electrical Permit:  An Electrical Permit is not required for the work listed below. However, exemption from an electrical permit does not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the Electrical Regulations or any other applicable local or state regulations.

  • Minor work such as replacing fuses, replacing or repairing switches, circuit breakers, lamp holders, luminaires, ballasts, or receptacles where the replacement is the same size and general type as the original equipment and the work is done in accordance with the provisions of this article.
  • The replacement of lamps or the connection of portable appliances to suitable receptacles that have been permanently installed.
  • Installation, alteration, or repair of wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment that operates at a voltage not exceeding 25 volts between conductors and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
  • Installation of remote-control switching devices on privately owned appliances when the devices are installed by the SDG&E or its authorized agents as part of the Peak-Shift energy conservation program provided that specifications for the installations are approved in writing by the Building Official.
  • Work done by employees of the City on City-owned or leased buildings.
  • Repair or replacement of hardwired appliances such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, cooking appliances and similar fixed appliances located within dwelling units that do not impose additional electrical load to the existing circuit impacted by the work.
  • Exemption from the permit requirements of the Electrical Regulations does not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the Electrical Regulations or any other applicable local or state regulations.

Compliant Outdoor Expansion

Apply for a Permit

Step 1

Review the  User Guide – Apply for a Standalone Permit

Step 2

Read the PDF icon requirements for PDF file uploads.

Not following the PDF requirements will delay project review and approval.

Step 3

Prepare the following:

  1. Complete or obtain an electrical plan for your project. The electrical plan and calculations shall be stamped and signed in accordance with the California Business and Professional Code. View the Requirements and Resources section below for more information.
  2. Project Contacts Information (DS-345).

Step 4

Your PDF documents MUST meet our upload requirements. See Step 2 for more info.

Validate your PDF documents with Scout™

Step 5

Apply for the permit

You will be required to upload the completed PDF documents from Step 3.

Need more help? Refer to our user guide.

Requirements and Resources

Who may prepare electrical Plans, Reports and Calculations: 

  • Electrical plans and calculations shall be stamped and signed in accordance with the California Business and Professional Code. The electrical plans and calculations shall be signed by a licensed electrical engineer. An architect, civil engineer can sign the Title 24 energy standards as the responsible designer of the electrical system. An electrical contractor can sign and stamp the electrical plans and calculations and/or Title 24 energy compliance for the lighting system only if he/she is responsible for both the design and installation of the system. Project Submittal Requirements, Section 2
  • Solar Photovoltaic Systems (PV) plans may be stamped and signed by a California registered Electrical Engineer, a licensed Electrical Contractor (C-10 License) or a licensed solar contractor (C-46 License) who is responsible for the design and installation of the system. A California registered electrical engineer or a C-10 must sign and stamp plans when an electrical panel upgrade is proposed. A California licensed general contractor (B-License) may sign and stamp the plans if the PV panels are installed as a part of a permit for a new building or an addition to an existing building. Information Bulletin 301

Additional Resources

Permits & Inspections