The rule in 12 cities, with their permit counts
Rules from each city's own page, read 22 October 2026. Our files do not separate panel jobs from other electrical work, so the counts are all electrical permits over three years to September 2026 (Sacramento County and Citrus Heights label theirs "Electrical & Panel"); "usual days" is the typical time from issue to final.
| City | The rule | Electrical permits (all types) | Usual days to final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Exempt: "Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location"; a panel is not | 24,726 | 76 |
| Seattle, WA | "You need an electrical permit any time electrical wiring is installed, altered, extended, or connected"; Seattle City Light handles service changes | 20,201 | 42 |
| Colorado Springs, CO (Pikes Peak Regional) | Electrical work is on its list of projects needing a permit | 22,297 | 26 |
| Saint Paul, MN | "Work on electrical … systems requires trade permits" | 15,800 | 59 |
| Columbus, OH | "Modify or update electrical box": permit, no plan review | 13,769 | 73 |
| Bellevue, WA | "A permit is required for adding or moving electrical circuits and for changes to the service panel." | 8,025 | 45 |
| Arlington County, VA | Permit, but "Electrical compliance with the Building Code is by field inspection only"; no plan review | 4,143 | 99 |
| Sacramento County, CA | "Electrical panel, circuit"; panel repair or replacement issued over the counter | 4,054 | 56 |
| Anaheim, CA | "Upgrade or replace electric service panels" (2014 handout); a service upgrade also needs a utility "meter spot" inspection | 1,729 | 35 |
| Cary, NC | "Adding or relocating electrical fixtures or components"; exempt only replacements "not done within the wall or ceiling cavity" | 1,455 | 41 |
| Citrus Heights, CA | "ELECTRICAL PANELS": permit yes | 1,445 | 54 |
| Naperville, IL | "Electrical work" needs a permit; exempt only lamps, wiring under 25 volts and listed plug-in lighting | 668 | 144 |
The thirteenth, Denver, issues "New or replacement panels and subpanels" and new utility service up to 400 amps as same-day quick permits.
What happens if you skip it
- Washington: "You could face a fine of up to $2,000 for failing to obtain a permit before beginning electrical work" (L&I).
- Seattle: fines of "up to $500 per day" for building without a permit.
- Colorado Springs area: a stop work order and a "Certificate of Alleged Non-compliance" filed against the property, with the owner paying any extra fees.
- Arlington County: "Failure to obtain the required permit is a violation of the law."
A service upgrade also involves the utility (Seattle City Light, Anaheim Public Utilities). More in permit vs no permit.
Who pulls it
A licensed electrician, in nearly every case. Seattle requires a Washington electrical contractor's licence and a Seattle business license for professionals, and Washington L&I says the permit "must be purchased by the person, company or organization doing the work". Owners can do their own in Seattle (if they own and occupy the house), elsewhere in Washington through L&I, in Cary (if they live there 12 months after) and through Pikes Peak Regional's homeowner permit. Naperville requires a licensed electrician. See hiring an electrician for the licence check.
How long it takes
The usual electrical permit closed in 26 days in Colorado Springs, 35 in Anaheim and 41 in Cary, against 99 in Arlington County and 144 in Naperville. Finish rates spread from 94.5% in Seattle and 90.4% in Austin to 59.3% in Citrus Heights. Washington wants the inspection requested "prior to covering any electrical work".
Check it in five minutes
- Ask the electrician whether the job is a panel swap only or a service upgrade (bigger amperage, new meter); the second involves the utility.
- Ask for the permit number before the power is cut. Electrical work cost shows permitted prices by city.
- If the upgrade is for an EV charger, also read do I need a permit for an EV charger.
See every Seattle electrician by permits filed and finished →
What this does not tell you
We read 13 departments' rules; Anaheim's handout is from 2014. Our counts are all electrical permits, not panels only, so they show how often electricians pull permits in each city, not how many panels were changed.
How we know this
Rules are quoted from the pages under Sources, read 22 October 2026. Permit counts, usual days to final and finished shares come from each city's permit file over the three years ending September 2026. "Usual days" is the median from issue to final inspection; "reached a final" counts permits a year or more old.
Numbers come from City of Austin issued construction permits; City of Seattle (SDCI) building, trade and electrical permits on single-family and duplex homes (the city's open-data exports); Pikes Peak Regional Building Department permits inside Colorado Springs city limits; City of Saint Paul building and trade permits (the City's old approved-permits file up to June 2025, and the City's PAULIE permit system since September 2025), with the contractor named on each permit; City of Columbus Building & Zoning Services permits on 1-, 2- and 3-family homes (the city's Accela permit layer); City of Bellevue permits on single-family homes and condo units; Arlington County, VA building and trade permits; Sacramento County building permits on single-family, duplex and townhouse homes in the unincorporated county (the County's Accela permit layer); City of Anaheim Accela building permits on single-family homes and ADUs; Town of Cary building permit applications (issued permits only); City of Citrus Heights building permits on homes (the city's issued-permits layer); City of Naperville building permits (the current permit system plus the city's older records), data through October 17, 2026. Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can.
Questions
- Do I need a permit to replace or upgrade my electrical panel?
Yes, in every city whose rules we read. Bellevue requires one 'for changes to the service panel', Anaheim for work to 'Upgrade or replace electric service panels', and Sacramento County issues 'Residential electrical panel repair or replacement' over the counter. Denver lists 'New or replacement panels and subpanels' as a quick permit.
- Do I need a permit to replace a circuit breaker?
Usually not, if it is the same size in the same spot. Austin exempts 'Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location'. Adding a circuit is different: Bellevue requires a permit for 'adding or moving electrical circuits'.
- Does the utility have to be involved in a panel upgrade?
For a service upgrade, yes. Seattle's electrical permit page says Seattle City Light handles 'service changes or new services', and Anaheim sends service upgrades to Anaheim Public Utilities for a 'meter spot' inspection. Ask the electrician who books the utility disconnect and reconnect.
- How long does an electrical permit take?
The usual electrical permit reached its final inspection in 26 days in Colorado Springs, 35 in Anaheim and 42 in Seattle. Washington L&I says most inspections happen within 48 hours of the request.
- Can a homeowner pull their own electrical permit?
In some places. Seattle says 'Property owners may do their own work when they own and occupy the property', and Washington L&I sells electrical permits to owners who do the work themselves. Cary lets owners do their own electrical work if they live there 12 months after. Naperville requires a licensed electrician.
Build your own list
Every firm with that kind of permit on record. Pick what you value. The list moves.
Related guides
- Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or AC? The rule in 14 cities, and how many get filed
- Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom? The rule in 14 cities, and what is exempt
- Do I need a permit to replace my roof? It splits: the rule in 16 cities, and how many get filed
- What can a homeowner do without a permit? Exempt work in 7 cities, and when you can pull your own
- Hiring an electrician: 5 red flags and 10 questions, checked against electrical permits in 45 cities
For one city
- Work requiring permits — City of Bellevue, WA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Electrical Permit — Seattle SDCI (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Work Exempt from Building Permits — City of Austin Development Services (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Homeowner Permits — Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (accessed 2026-10-22)
- When is a permit required? — City of Saint Paul DSI (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Typical Residential Projects (BA 3/26) — City of Columbus, OH (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Residential permits — Arlington County, VA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Frequently Asked Questions — Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspection (accessed 2026-10-22)
- When is a Building Permit Required (form B804, Sept 2014) — City of Anaheim, CA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Electric Vehicle Charger — City of Anaheim (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Residential Permits FAQ — Town of Cary, NC (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Projects Requiring a Building Permit (CHB0600, rev. 08/23) — City of Citrus Heights, CA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Guide to Building Permits (rev. 10/31/2022) — City of Naperville, IL (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Quick Permits — City and County of Denver CPD (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Electrical Work on Residential Property (F500-078-000) — Washington L&I (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Construction Without a Permit — Seattle SDCI (accessed 2026-10-22)