California / Los Angeles County
Electrical Permit in Los Angeles County, California
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before installing, extending, altering, or replacing electrical wiring, devices, panels, services, or fixed appliances, including main service panel upgrades and EV charger outlets.
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
An electrical permit is required in unincorporated Los Angeles County for new, expanded, or replaced electrical items. Title 27, Article 82 exempts only minor repair work such as replacing lamps, switches, receptacles, devices and sockets or plugging portable motors and appliances into permanently installed receptacles, temporary theater or stage wiring, wiring operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts, low-energy power, control, and signal circuits limited to 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes, temporary decorative lighting, temporary testing wiring, replacement of over-current devices of the same type and rating, cord-and-plug portable equipment, and small private telephone, intercom, sound and communication systems, whose power supplies still need a permit. The Express Electrical Permit type covers any residential project that does not require an electrical plan check, including main panel upgrades and EV charger outlets, and is self-issued through EPIC-LA.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
When a permit is usually needed
Before installing, extending, altering, or replacing electrical wiring, devices, panels, services, or fixed appliances, including main service panel upgrades and EV charger outlets.
What an electrical permit costs in Los Angeles County
How Los Angeles 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 | Building Inspection Department Service Fee Schedule (Schedule A, effective... |
| Contra Costa County | 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 | Itemized per installed item per the LADBS Electrical Permit Fee Schedule (rev... |
| Los Angeles Countythis page | Permit required | Electrical Code Fee Schedule (Title 27 of the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord... |
| 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 Los Angeles 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).
- 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).
- 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. Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division sets the exact checklist for Los Angeles County.
Where to apply in Los Angeles County:
Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division
- Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division, 3rd Floor, 900 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803
- Phone: 626-458-3173
Inspections and closing out your permit
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.
- 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).
- The framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in inspections have all been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- 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)).
- Arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection is verified on branch circuits serving bedrooms, living areas, and most other habitable rooms (NEC 210.12(A)).
- Panelboards must carry a circuit directory that legibly and specifically identifies the purpose of each circuit, not a vague label (NEC 408.4).
- 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).
- 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 Los Angeles County permit portal or by phone at 626-458-3173.
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 Los Angeles County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before installing, extending, altering, or replacing electrical wiring, devices, panels, services, or fixed appliances, including main service panel upgrades and EV charger outlets.
- Budget the fee. Electrical Code Fee Schedule (Title 27 of the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. 2013-0049), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35 for issuing permits, each. New single and two-family residential buildings are charged $0.23 per square foot, not including garages, carports, and other minor accessory buildings built at the same time. Alterations and additions to existing residential buildings use the branch circuit or unit fee schedule: $25.96 for each of the first 10 branch circuits of 15 or 20 ampere 120 volt lighting or general use receptacles, $21.59 for circuits 11 through 40, $19.30 above 40; or by unit, $3.22 for each of the first 20 receptacles, switches, lighting or other outlets and $2.18 for additional ones, $15.97 for each fixed residential appliance of three horsepower or less, $58.35 for a service, switchboard, motor control center or panelboard of 600 volts or less and not over 399 amperes, $114.29 from 400 to 1,000 amperes. A new private residential inground swimming pool system is $121.52. Investigation fee for work done without a required permit is not less than $504.47, or $252.23 for one or two family dwellings when the work is performed by an owner-builder. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. 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 Los Angeles County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division. Phone: 626-458-3173. Address: Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division, 3rd Floor, 900 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803.
- Plan for inspections. 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 Los Angeles County?
- An electrical permit is required in unincorporated Los Angeles County for new, expanded, or replaced electrical items. Title 27, Article 82 exempts only minor repair work such as replacing lamps, switches, receptacles, devices and sockets or plugging portable motors and appliances into permanently installed receptacles, temporary theater or stage wiring, wiring operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts, low-energy power, control, and signal circuits limited to 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes, temporary decorative lighting, temporary testing wiring, replacement of over-current devices of the same type and rating, cord-and-plug portable equipment, and small private telephone, intercom, sound and communication systems, whose power supplies still need a permit. The Express Electrical Permit type covers any residential project that does not require an electrical plan check, including main panel upgrades and EV charger outlets, and is self-issued through EPIC-LA. Always confirm with the Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division before starting.
- How much does an electrical permit cost in Los Angeles County?
- Electrical Code Fee Schedule (Title 27 of the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. 2013-0049), effective July 1, 2026: $41.35 for issuing permits, each. New single and two-family residential buildings are charged $0.23 per square foot, not including garages, carports, and other minor accessory buildings built at the same time. Alterations and additions to existing residential buildings use the branch circuit or unit fee schedule: $25.96 for each of the first 10 branch circuits of 15 or 20 ampere 120 volt lighting or general use receptacles, $21.59 for circuits 11 through 40, $19.30 above 40; or by unit, $3.22 for each of the first 20 receptacles, switches, lighting or other outlets and $2.18 for additional ones, $15.97 for each fixed residential appliance of three horsepower or less, $58.35 for a service, switchboard, motor control center or panelboard of 600 volts or less and not over 399 amperes, $114.29 from 400 to 1,000 amperes. A new private residential inground swimming pool system is $121.52. Investigation fee for work done without a required permit is not less than $504.47, or $252.23 for one or two family dwellings when the work is performed by an owner-builder. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does an electrical permit take in Los Angeles County?
- Express Electrical Permits are self-issued online: the building permit is automatically issued after all required fees are successfully paid. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for an electrical permit in Los Angeles County?
- You can apply through the Los Angeles County permit portal or contact the Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit themselves in Los Angeles County?
- Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner-builder from contractor licensing when the owner personally performs the work, or uses only wage employees, on their own property and does not intend the improvements for sale. A homeowner may also directly hire licensed trade contractors for up to four single-family residences a year, or improve their own principal residence without a general contractor's license, as long as they have actually lived there for the 12 months before the work is finished. 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 building 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 $500 civil penalty. Confirm how Los Angeles County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Los Angeles 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 | height of the deck surface above grade; the exemption also requires the deck not to be over any basement or story below and not to be part of an accessible route | No deck line item is published. |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence or freestanding block wall measured from the lowest adjacent grade; a masonry or concrete fence must also be set back from a public way at least a distance equal to its height to stay exempt | No fence line item is published. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Mechanical Code Fee Schedule (Title 29 of the County of Los Angeles Code, Ord No. |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Not specified | No patio line item is published. |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Plumbing Code Fee Schedule (Title 28 of the Los Angeles Code, Ord. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated pool or other body of water accessory to a one- or two-family (Group R-3) home; the same exemption also reaches pools that do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above adjacent grade | There is no single pool price. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No reroofing line item is published. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | gross floor area of a one-story detached accessory building; the exemption also requires the height not to exceed 12 feet and the maximum roof projection not to exceed 24 inches | No shed line item is published. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Chapter 68, Section 6805 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code: 'The combined... |
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 Los Angeles County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with Los Angeles County Public Works, Building and Safety 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