Electrical
The Electrical Safety Regulation is in effect.
Information Bulletin: Effective October 1, 2022 the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, 25th Edition, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, Canadian Standards Association Standard C22.1-21 is adopted as the BC Electrical Code. All electrical work that is subject to the BC Electrical Code must be in compliance with the updated edition effective November, 30, 2022.
Electrical Permit Applications
To apply for an Electrical Permit, you must be a registered electrical contractor, or a homeowner meeting the requirements of the current Safety Standards Act and the Electrical Safety Regulation.
- Annual Entertainment Permits, Temporary Entertainment Permits and Operating Permits can be applied for online via MyCity.
- Homeowner Electrical Permits are available by submitting the Homeowner Electrical Permit Application Form.pdf [PDF - 57 KB]
- Please see Technical Safety BC's website for information and descriptions of the different permit types.
Electrical Permit fees are found on our Fee Schedule.
Inspection Requests Are Available Online
Inspection requests can be submitted online via MyCity. For more information, including Homeowner inspection requests, please visit our Inspections page.
When do I Need an Electrical Permit?
An Electrical Permit is required prior to commencing work on the following:
- Wiring new receptacles or switches
- Replacing existing lighting fixtures and baseboard heaters
- Removing part of an electrical system
- Temporary entertainment or construction service
- Any work that requires a utility (BC Hydro) to connect or reconnect a service
- Any electrical work on life safety systems
An Individual does not require an Electrical Permit when:
- Replacing a lamp of up to 347 V to ground with a lamp of a similar type or rating
- A fuse of up to 750 V with a fuse of a similar type or rating
An Individual does not require an Electrical Permit when replacing the following regulated products, up to a maximum rating of 150 V to ground, with electrical equipment of a similar type or rating:
- Cord attachment plugs
- Receptacles
- Snap switches
- Ballasts
- Dimmer switches
- Fan speed controllers
- Thermostats
- Overcurrent devices
No Electrical Permit is required if the only electrical work performed is testing.
Additional Information and Resources
Applications, Forms & Policies
- Annual Entertainment Permits, Temporary Entertainment Permits and Operating Permits can be applied for online via MyCity.
- Electrical-contractors-authorization.pdf [PDF - 504 KB]
- Homeowner Electrical Permit Application Form.pdf [PDF - 57 KB]
- Homeowner-inspection-request.pdf [PDF - 28 KB]
- Bonding of Raceway Sleeves in Steel Stud Walls [PDF - 15 KB]
- Contractor Responsibility Following a Fire [PDF - 75 KB]
- Masts and Support Structures for Services Over 200 Amps [PDF - 101 KB]
- Multiple Occupancy Metering Requirements [PDF - 103 KB]
- Service and Panels in Secondary Suites [PDF - 15 KB]
- Use of Portable Heating Appliances [PDF - 14 KB]
- IC Pot Lights and Spray Foam Insulation [PDF - 14 KB]
- Retrofit of Fluorescent Luminaries [PDF - 14 KB]
- Shunt Trip Requirements for Services Fed From the BC Hydro Downtown Network [PDF - 111 KB]
- Requirements for Verification of Fire Alarm Systems 2.25.2014 [PDF - 66 KB]
