Under the Alberta Safety Codes Act and Permit Regulations an Electrical Permit is required to install, alter or add to an electrical system.
Permit Requirements
All new electrical installations require a permit, such as:
- New construction
- Renovations/alterations
- Basement developments
- Hot tub installations
- Garage wiring
- Service upgrade
- Any other additions to an electrical system, including adding new circuits/wiring for receptacles and/or lighting, repair/replacement of aluminum wiring and garden shed wiring
General Permit Information
- The electrical installation shall be completed in accordance with the Alberta Safety Codes Act & Regulations
- Work shall commence within 90 days of the permit issue date
- Permits expire after one year or if within the year, the work has been suspended or abandoned for a period of 120 days prior to completion
Requirements for Contractors doing Residential Electrical Permits
1) The Contractor must have a valid business licence with the City of Edmonton
3) Plans and drawings must be submitted for all installations with a value of $50,000 or more
3) Single line drawings with all pertinent information must be submitted for service upgrades of 400 amps and larger
Requirements for Homeowners doing their own Electrical Permits
A Homeowner can apply for an Electrical Permit for their own home if they meet the following conditions:
- The homeowner must own and live in a single family dwelling and can only obtain permits for renovations
- Apartment style condominiums, stacked, semi-detached and row housing dwelling units do not qualify; Electrical Homeowner Permits will not be issued for these types of units
- Homeowners must live in the dwelling unit and provide proof of ownership to qualify for a permit; permits will not be issued for rental properties
- The homeowner must be doing the work themselves
- Permits will not be issued if wiring is concealed (walls boarded or drywalled)
- Prior to an electrical permit being issued for a basement development, a building permit will be required
Anyone doing residential electrical installation should consult the EPCOR Power Connection Process guide, which has details on setting up power in a new location or changing an existing service.
For Homeowners
A homeowner must own and occupy the single detached House for which this permit is intended, and perform the work themselves.
- Apply: Homeowners
- Download and complete the fillable-pdf Homeowner Electrical Permit application form, ensuring to include a description of the location and extent of the proposed work. Attach any plans and /or specifications to the application, and email to ElectricalTechnicalAdvisors@edmonton.ca
- A permit issuer will contact you by telephone to have you confirm your identity and residency with a government-issued photo ID: driver's licence or equivalent. You must have the ability to show this to the permit issuer through a video call using Google Hangout, Google Duo, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Skype.
- Request required inspections by contacting 311.
Work Limitations
Due to hazards involved, homeowners who are not certified master electricians cannot do work on the following :
- Installing or relocating the main electrical service panel or service equipment
- Installing swimming pool grounding and connecting the electrical equipment for a permanently installed swimming pool
- A solar photo-voltaic (PV) system
- If the home will be used for rental purposes
A permit must be obtained prior to starting any work and booking inspections.
For Contractors
Contractors who have an online account may apply for their permits and book their inspections online.
Apply: Contractors & Professionals
For contractors without an online account, the process is:
- Complete the Contractors electrical permit application form
- Email to electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca or bring it in person to the Edmonton Service Centre
- After the work has been completed you can book an inspection by calling 311.
A permit must be obtained prior to starting any work and booking inspections.
Electrical Inspection Load Calculation
Inspection Information
Homeowner permits may require a minimum of two inspections, rough-in and final.
Rough-in Wiring Inspection
Call 311 for this inspection prior to cover up (insulated/boarded/drywalled). If the installation is covered prior to the rough-in inspection the inspector may ask for the area to be re-opened.
Call for a rough-in inspection when the following has been completed:
- All electrical outlet boxes are to be mounted and secured in place
- All wiring has been installed, secured and brought into outlet boxes
- All ground conductors have been terminated to the outlet box and necessary splices completed
- All recessed lighting fixtures are installed and secured (except retrofit type fixtures) and wiring terminated in fixture junction box
- You may install wiring in the main or sub panel (Caution: turn off main breaker before taking off panel cover and while installing wiring); do not connect wiring to branch circuit breakers at this time
- Ensure all new wiring is isolated from all points that may become energized and re-install panel cover prior to turning on main breaker
- Do not install any devices (receptacles, light fixtures) except those that may be needed for construction purposes
Final Inspection
Call for a final inspection when the project is complete:
- All devices have been installed and connected
- All branch circuit wiring has been installed in the panel, terminated to the circuit breaker and energized
Underground Cable Inspection
- Complete trenching and install approved direct buried cable or PVC conduit along with wiring approved for a wet location
- Direct buried cable shall be installed at a minimum depth of 600mm and PVC conduit at a minimum depth of 450mm
- Call for inspection prior to backfilling
- There must be a minimum of 150mm of sand below and above the cable or conduit
- A marking tape shall be installed at the halfway point above the underground cable or conduit and final grade
Booking Inspections
A permit must be obtained prior to booking an inspection.
After the work has been completed and you are ready for a rough-in or final inspection, please refer to the Safety Codes inspection services webpage for information on booking inspections.
Extra Inspections
Additional fees shall be assessed for every inspection requested where any of the following items are found to be deficient:
- No address on site, building or unit as required
- Inspector unable to access the building after having been requested to inspect
- Project not ready for inspection after a request for inspection has been made
- Previously identified deficiency has not been corrected after a request for a re-inspection has been made
- Previously identified deficiency has not been corrected when the inspector has indicated that a re-inspection is required and a reasonable time period has elapsed (typically 30 days) and a request for inspection has been initiated by the inspector or City of Edmonton POSSE system
- Approved plans have not been submitted, if required, after a request for inspection has been made
2022 Fees
Effective January 1, 2022
- If you are a homeowner doing your own electrical work - the fee for new service, service changes or upgrades is $208 plus a safety codes fee of $8.32. The minor alterations fee is $152 plus a safety codes fee of $6.08.
- If you are a contractor, check the .
New Process For Electrical Service Inspections
Effective November 5, 2018, service inspections for new electrical installations (where there has never been power before) will no longer be administered by the City of Edmonton.
To ensure the continued safe and reliable installation of utility services, service inspections will now be managed by EPCOR and conducted by their subcontractor, The Inspections Group Inc.
Service inspections can be requested by calling 780-412-3772 or by email at ServiceInspectionRequest@epcor.com before noon for next business day.
For questions on new service inspections call 780-412-3772
For general inquiries email ces@epcor.com or phone 780-412-3128
Service changes/upgrades and emergency repairs will continue to be administered by the City of Edmonton.
Inspection requests can be scheduled by booking online or calling 311. Requests received prior to noon will be scheduled for the following business day.
For any inquiries in relation to service changes, upgrades or emergencies, please call 780-496-6674.
Edmonton Service Centre
2nd Floor, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0J4
| Telephone |
In Edmonton: 311 |
| electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca |