Electrical
The Electrical Safety Regulation is in effect.
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?
A Electrical Permit is required prior to commencing work on:
- Wiring new receptacles, switches or lighting fixtures
- 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 Electrical Permit would not be required (when completed by a qualified person) for minor modifications such as:
- Replacing existing receptacles in the same location
- Installing dimmer switches or fan speed controllers
- Installing snap switches cord attachment plugs
- Replacing existing light fixtures (lamps) in the same location
- Fuses up to a maximum 750 volts with equipment of a similar type of rating
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]
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