California / Contra Costa County
Electrical Permit in Contra Costa County, California
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before running new electrical, upgrading an electrical panel, rewiring a house, or installing an EV charger. The county issues these permits itself; there is no handoff to a state agency or utility.
Issued byContra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Contra Costa County's Building Inspection Division issues electrical permits directly, and its fee schedule states plainly that an electrical permit is required for all electrical work regulated by the Electrical Code. Where electrical work is performed in conjunction with a building permit the fee may be added to that permit and a separate electrical permit is not required. Panel upgrades and whole-house rewiring are applied for as a "Building - Residential Electrical" minor permit, which covers upgrading existing panels or rewiring only and not new circuits or receptacles; residential EV chargers use the same permit type and must state the location of installation and the amperage.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before running new electrical, upgrading an electrical panel, rewiring a house, or installing an EV charger. The county issues these permits itself; there is no handoff to a state agency or utility.
What an electrical permit costs in Contra Costa County
How Contra Costa County compares in California
No California jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | Permit required | ...permit scope, 'Electrical Permit 20% of Building Permit Fees, $140.00... |
| Contra Costa Countythis page | Permit required | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 C.6, "Electrical Permit (Other) $75.00... |
| Fresno County | Permit required | Section 2511 Electrical Code Fees, FY 2026-27: Issuing permits $42.77 each |
| Los Angeles | Permit required | ...per the LADBS Electrical Permit Fee Schedule (rev 12/2016): minimum $55... |
| Los Angeles County | Permit required | ...of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. 2013-0049), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35... |
| Orange County | Permit required | Electrical Permit Application Flat Fee, 1 to 75 fixtures: $340 for FY 2024-25... |
| Riverside County | Permit required | Residential Electrical (BEL-RELE): $448.20 fixed fee |
How to apply in Contra Costa County
In Contra Costa County, in most US jurisdictions, the property owner or a licensed electrician applies for an electrical permit before work starts, describing the scope of work and the property and typically attaching plans. Some minor, like-for-like electrical repairs are commonly exempt, and once issued the permit is kept on site until the job is finished.
What most electrical permit applications include:
- Before any electrical work begins, the owner or an authorized agent must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit (IRC R105.1).
- For Contra Costa County, the written application must identify and describe the electrical work covered by the permit and describe the property, such as by street address, well enough to locate the job (IRC R105.3).
- For Contra Costa County, the application must be accompanied by construction documents (plans) and any other information the permit office requires, and must be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent (IRC R105.3).
- Certain minor or like-for-like electrical jobs, such as replacing a branch-circuit breaker of the required capacity in the same location, are commonly exempt from needing a separate permit (IRC R105.2).
- Once issued, the building permit or a copy of it must be kept at the job site until the project is complete (IRC R105.7).
General submittal guidance from International Residential Code (IRC), Section R105, Permits (2015 and 2021 editions, as locally adopted). Source. Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division sets the exact checklist for Contra Costa County.
Where to apply in Contra Costa County:
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division
- Application and Permit Center, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553
- Phone: 925-655-2700
- Email: permits@dcd.cccounty.us
Electrical Permit in Contra Costa County compared with nearby California localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each California schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa County | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 C.6, "Electrical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... | |
| Alameda County | Permit required | Any size | ...of a building permit scope, 'Electrical Permit 20% of Building Permit Fees, $140.00... | |
| Fresno County | Permit required | Any size | Section 2511 Electrical Code Fees, FY 2026-27: Issuing permits $42.77 each | |
| Los Angeles | Permit required | Any size | ...item per the LADBS Electrical Permit Fee Schedule (rev 12/2016): minimum $55 for... | |
| Los Angeles County | Permit required | Any size | ...the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. 2013-0049), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Contra Costa County, electrical work under a permit is inspected at least twice: a rough-in inspection of the wiring before it is covered by drywall or insulation, and a final inspection once all devices, panels, and labeling are complete. Inspectors also check specific safety items along the way, such as GFCI and AFCI protection, panel circuit directories, and the service disconnect location.
- In Contra Costa County: a rough-in inspection of the electrical wiring is required before it is covered or concealed by insulation, drywall, or other finish material, and before fixtures or appliances are set (IRC R109.1.2).
- In Contra Costa County: the framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in inspections have all been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- In Contra Costa County: ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection is checked at receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, crawl spaces, outdoors, and other damp or wet locations (NEC 210.8(A)).
- In Contra Costa County: arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection is verified on branch circuits serving bedrooms, living areas, and most other habitable rooms (NEC 210.12(A)).
- In Contra Costa County: panelboards must carry a circuit directory that legibly and specifically identifies the purpose of each circuit, not a vague label (NEC 408.4).
- In Contra Costa County: the service disconnect must be installed in a readily accessible location, either outside the structure or just inside the point where the service conductors enter (NEC 230.70).
- In Contra Costa County: a final inspection is made only after all permitted electrical work is complete, and the wiring cannot be used or the space occupied until it passes (IRC R109.1.6).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Contra Costa County permit portal or by phone at 925-655-2700.
Inspection sequence from International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109, Required Inspections, and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020 and 2023 editions. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Electrical Permit checklist for Contra Costa County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before running new electrical, upgrading an electrical panel, rewiring a house, or installing an EV charger. The county issues these permits itself; there is no handoff to a state agency or utility.
- Budget the fee. Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 C.6, "Electrical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum." Electrical inspection fees for an addition or alteration to a dwelling unit start at $75.00 plus $0.14 for each additional $1,000 above $2,000 of improvement value; work not covered by the listed tiers is calculated from the S-002 A.1 Building Permit valuation table. Fee schedule adopted May 24, 2022, effective August 10, 2022. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Contra Costa County, in most US jurisdictions, the property owner or a licensed electrician applies for an electrical permit before work starts, describing the scope of work and the property and typically attaching plans. Some minor, like-for-like electrical repairs are commonly exempt, and once issued the permit is kept on site until the job is finished. Start at the Contra Costa County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division. Phone: 925-655-2700. Address: Application and Permit Center, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553.
- Plan for inspections. In Contra Costa County, electrical work under a permit is inspected at least twice: a rough-in inspection of the wiring before it is covered by drywall or insulation, and a final inspection once all devices, panels, and labeling are complete. Inspectors also check specific safety items along the way, such as GFCI and AFCI protection, panel circuit directories, and the service disconnect location.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need an electrical permit in Contra Costa County?
- Contra Costa County's Building Inspection Division issues electrical permits directly, and its fee schedule states plainly that an electrical permit is required for all electrical work regulated by the Electrical Code. Where electrical work is performed in conjunction with a building permit the fee may be added to that permit and a separate electrical permit is not required. Panel upgrades and whole-house rewiring are applied for as a "Building - Residential Electrical" minor permit, which covers upgrading existing panels or rewiring only and not new circuits or receptacles; residential EV chargers use the same permit type and must state the location of installation and the amperage. Always confirm with the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division before starting.
- How much does an electrical permit cost in Contra Costa County?
- Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 C.6, "Electrical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum." Electrical inspection fees for an addition or alteration to a dwelling unit start at $75.00 plus $0.14 for each additional $1,000 above $2,000 of improvement value; work not covered by the listed tiers is calculated from the S-002 A.1 Building Permit valuation table. Fee schedule adopted May 24, 2022, effective August 10, 2022. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for an electrical permit in Contra Costa County?
- You can apply through the Contra Costa County permit portal or contact the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit themselves in Contra Costa County?
- Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner from contractor licensing under section 7044 when they personally perform all the work on their own property, or any work they do not perform themselves is done by their own employees paid only wages, and none of the improvements are intended or offered for sale. It also exempts an owner who directly contracts with licensed contractors for each trade, as long as no more than four of the single-family residential structures involved are intended or offered for sale in a calendar year; this route does not apply if the owner instead contracts with a general contractor for the construction. A homeowner may also improve their own principal residence without a license, as long as the work is done before any sale, they have actually resided there for the 12 months before completion, and they have not used this exemption on more than two structures more than once in any three-year period. Selling a self-built structure within one year of completion creates a rebuttable presumption that it was built for sale, which defeats the exemption, and selling five or more structures within a year makes that presumption conclusive. Separately, every city or county that requires a permit must also require the applicant to file a signed statement giving their contractor license number or the basis of their claimed exemption; a false or missing statement carries a civil penalty of up to $500. Confirm how Contra Costa County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Contra Costa County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | area of a deck that is also no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, and does not serve a code-required exit door | No deck-specific flat fee is published |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence, with concrete and masonry walls treated as walls rather than fences | ..."Fences Greater than 7ft": Building Permit / Inspection, chain-link or wood $116.00... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 D.6, "Mechanical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | roof area of a trellis, arbor, or pergola accessory to a residence, treated by the county as a one-story detached accessory structure | ...cover (includes pre-fab types, usually with ICBO research listing)" at $25.73 per... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 E.6, "Plumbing Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated pool accessory to a one or two family dwelling that is installed entirely above ground and holds no more than 5,000 gallons | The Building Valuation Data Supplement sets a "Swimming pool, lump sum of: $39,514.98"... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Schedule item 14, "Re-Roofs - Residential": Building Permit / Inspection $150.00... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure | No shed-specific flat fee is published |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...mount," photovoltaic systems 15 kW or less: Building Permit/inspection $86.00 per... |
Electrical Permit in other California localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Contra Costa County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this electrical permit page for Contra Costa County was verified. 2 official sources: contracosta.ca.gov, contracosta.ca.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Building Inspection Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Electrical Permit requirements across California localities