California / Santa Clara County
Electrical Permit in Santa Clara County, California
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before doing electrical work such as a panel upgrade, new circuits or rewiring on a property in the unincorporated county.
Issued bySanta Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office)
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
The Electrical Code of Santa Clara County is the 2025 California Electrical Code together with the 2006 ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions, as amended by Division C4 of the Ordinance Code and readopted by Ordinance No. NS-1100.138 on December 9, 2025. The county replaced the ICC schedule of permit fees with its own Section 404.2, which provides for a plan review fee before an electrical permit is issued and an electrical permit fee once plans are approved, both set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Combined with Ordinance Code Section C1-67, which bars performing work that requires a permit without first obtaining one, electrical work in the unincorporated county needs a permit from the Department of Planning and Development. The former standalone electrical permit ordinance, Section C1-68, was repealed in 1987 and the requirement now lives in the adopted electrical code.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before doing electrical work such as a panel upgrade, new circuits or rewiring on a property in the unincorporated county.
What an electrical permit costs in Santa Clara County
How Santa Clara 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 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 | ...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... |
| Santa Clara Countythis page | Permit required | ...effective July 1, 2025 the electrical inspection hourly rate is... |
How to apply in Santa Clara County
In Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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. Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office) sets the exact checklist for Santa Clara County.
Where to apply in Santa Clara County:
Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office)
- County Government Center, East Wing, 7th Floor, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
- Phone: 408-299-5700
Electrical Permit in Santa Clara County compared with nearby California localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each California schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County | Permit required | Any size | ...Schedule effective July 1, 2025 the electrical inspection hourly rate is... | |
| Alameda County | Permit required | Any size | ...of a building permit scope, 'Electrical Permit 20% of Building Permit Fees, $140.00... | |
| Contra Costa County | Permit required | Any size | Land Development Fee Schedule S-002 C.6, "Electrical Permit (Other) $75.00 minimum."... | |
| 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... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County: the framing inspection cannot proceed until the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in inspections have all been approved (IRC R109.1.4).
- In Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County permit portal or by phone at 408-299-5700.
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 Santa Clara County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before doing electrical work such as a panel upgrade, new circuits or rewiring on a property in the unincorporated county.
- Budget the fee. Under the county's Building Section Services Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2025 the electrical inspection hourly rate is $272.00. An electrical service or transfer switch up to 400 amps is $273.80 and over 400 amps is $336.90. Fixtures, appliances, transformers, motors and panels are $273.80 for 1 to 15 units and $16.20 for each additional. A combined flat fee permit covering up to 3 devices total of any mechanical, electrical or plumbing category is $273.80. Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 23, 2024.
- Apply. In Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office). Phone: 408-299-5700. Address: County Government Center, East Wing, 7th Floor, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110.
- Plan for inspections. In Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County?
- The Electrical Code of Santa Clara County is the 2025 California Electrical Code together with the 2006 ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions, as amended by Division C4 of the Ordinance Code and readopted by Ordinance No. NS-1100.138 on December 9, 2025. The county replaced the ICC schedule of permit fees with its own Section 404.2, which provides for a plan review fee before an electrical permit is issued and an electrical permit fee once plans are approved, both set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Combined with Ordinance Code Section C1-67, which bars performing work that requires a permit without first obtaining one, electrical work in the unincorporated county needs a permit from the Department of Planning and Development. The former standalone electrical permit ordinance, Section C1-68, was repealed in 1987 and the requirement now lives in the adopted electrical code. Always confirm with the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office) before starting.
- How much does an electrical permit cost in Santa Clara County?
- Under the county's Building Section Services Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2025 the electrical inspection hourly rate is $272.00. An electrical service or transfer switch up to 400 amps is $273.80 and over 400 amps is $336.90. Fixtures, appliances, transformers, motors and panels are $273.80 for 1 to 15 units and $16.20 for each additional. A combined flat fee permit covering up to 3 devices total of any mechanical, electrical or plumbing category is $273.80. Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on January 23, 2024. Contact the office for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for an electrical permit in Santa Clara County?
- You can apply through the Santa Clara County permit portal or contact the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit themselves in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Santa Clara 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 | deck area, paired with a 30-inch height limit, no attachment to the dwelling, and no required exit door served | Decks are charged by valuation, not by a flat fee |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fence height at which the County Residential Code permit exemption stops applying | ...Valuation-Based Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025, which begins at a $249.00... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...mechanical permit fee and the mechanical inspection hourly rate are both... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Before building a patio cover, trellis, carport or similar roofed structure over a patio | No patio-specific flat fee is published |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...plumbing permit fee and the plumbing inspection hourly rate are both $272.00, and a... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | depth of a prefabricated swimming pool | The county charges single-family residential swimming pools as flat fees |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...the county's Building Section Services Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2025: $479.20... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed | No shed-specific flat fee is published |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...the fee package the Board adopted on April 17, 2018, lists those amounts as $375.35... |
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 Santa Clara County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this electrical permit page for Santa Clara County was verified. 2 official sources: plandev.santaclaracounty.gov, library.municode.com. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development, Development Services (Building Inspection Office). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Electrical Permit requirements across California localities