Electrical Permit in Cleveland, Ohio

Frequently asked questions

Do you need an electrical permit in Cleveland?

Cleveland requires a separate electrical permit, and its Electrical Permits page says permits are required for electrical work and electrical fixtures along with electrical equipment and devices, both new and temporary. Codified Ordinance 3137.05 carries the requirement and the only real carve outs: minor repair, defined as installing or replacing light bulbs or fuses and repairing portable utilization equipment, and maintenance, defined as servicing existing equipment and replacing electrical equipment with equipment of like type and capacity connected to existing terminal connections. Neither covers changes or repairs to permanent wiring or extensions of terminal connections. Contractors must be bonded, insured, licensed with the State of Ohio and registered with the City; homeowners may apply with a notarized homeowner's affidavit and do not need to be registered contractors. The permit is also the route to getting power turned on: the FAQ says an electrical permit is required, the inspector named on the permit does the inspection, and once approved the city calls the power company. Always confirm with the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing, Division of Construction Permitting before starting.

How much does an electrical permit cost in Cleveland?

Electrical Wiring and Equipment fee schedule effective January 2, 2014: "the minimum fee for any permit shall be $50.00". New construction, additions and alterations to existing buildings are $50.00 for each 1,000 square feet or part thereof; repairs to existing electrical fixtures and/or systems are $50.00; a blanket electrical permit is $200.00 for each year for each premises. Add the 1 percent State of Ohio surcharge for 1, 2 and 3 family dwelling units. A special inspection where the work is not ready or the address is wrong costs $40.00, and an inspection outside regular working hours costs $100.00. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.

Where do you apply for an electrical permit in Cleveland?

You can apply through the Cleveland permit portal or contact the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing, Division of Construction Permitting directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull an electrical permit themselves in Cleveland?

Under Ohio law (OAC 4101:8-1-01 Section 105.1; R.C. 3791.04(A)(1)(b); R.C. Chapter 4740): Ohio has no statewide general contractor license, so the Residential Code of Ohio names the property owner directly as an authorized permit applicant: an owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, or change the occupancy of a residential building must first make application to the local certified building department and obtain approval, meaning a homeowner may pull their own permit and act as their own contractor. Certain specialty trades, HVAC, refrigeration, and hydronics contractors, are separately licensed statewide under R.C. Chapter 4740, and no homeowner exemption from that licensing requirement could be found in the chapter's text. In a county, township, or municipality with no residential building department certified by the state Board of Building Standards, R.C. 3791.04(A)(1)(b) and the Residential Code of Ohio's administrative rule both say the owner is not required to submit construction documents, seek approval, request inspections, or obtain a certificate of occupancy at all, which removes the state permitting framework, and with it the owner-builder question, in those jurisdictions. Confirm how Cleveland applies this before you apply.