Electrical

A permit is required before starting regulated electrical work unless an exemption applies under section 18 of the Electrical Safety Regulation or the work is performed under the applicable emergency provisions in section 12 of the Safety Standards General Regulation. Performing regulated work without the required permit is considered unpermitted work and is not permitted except where the regulation provides otherwise, including applicable provisions for emergency work.

Even when an exemption from the permit requirements applies, regulated electrical work must still be performed by a person authorized to perform that work under Section 4 of the Electrical Safety Regulation. A permit exemption does not mean that anyone may perform the work.

In general, you’ll need a permit when installing, altering, or extending an electrical system.

If the work you’re planning isn’t specifically exempt, a permit is required before work begins.

Section 18 of the Electrical Safety Regulation identifies specific types of work that can be completed without an electrical installation permit.

The examples below describe work that may be completed without a permit by an individual who is qualified and authorized to perform the work under Section 4 of the Electrical Safety Regulation. All applicable requirements and restrictions still apply.

Testing

A permit isn’t required if the only electrical work being performed is testing.

Replacing certain electrical devices

An individual may replace the following equipment with equipment of a similar type or rating without a permit, provided it is rated at no more than 150 V to ground:

• Receptacles
• Cord attachment plugs
• Snap switches
• Ballasts
• Dimmer switches
• Fan speed controllers
• Thermostats
• Overcurrent devices

Replacing lamps and fuses

A permit isn’t required to replace:

• A lamp rated up to 347 V to ground with one of a similar type or rating; or
• A fuse rated up to 750 V with one of a similar type or rating.

Repairing existing certified equipment

A licensed electrical contractor or manufacturer’s technical representative may repair existing installed and certified equipment without a permit when:

• No modifications or additions are made to the electrical installation;
• The electrical rating or characteristics aren’t altered; and
• Replacement components don’t invalidate the original certification mark.

Class 2 security alarm systems

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of parts on a Class 2 security alarm system may be completed without a permit if the work doesn’t alter the electrical rating or invalidate the equipment’s certification. The work must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor or a manufacturer’s technical representative.

Does replacing a light fixture require a permit?

Yes. Replacing a light fixture requires an electrical installation permit.

While some devices, such as certain receptacles and switches, can be replaced without a permit when the exemption requirements are met, light fixture replacements aren’t included in those exemptions.

The person or company responsible for performing the regulated work is generally responsible for applying for and obtaining the permit.

Licensed electrical contractors typically obtain permits for work they’ve been hired to perform.

Homeowners may be eligible to obtain a permit for electrical work on their own property provided they meet all applicable eligibility requirements under the Electrical Safety Regulation and the terms and conditions of the homeowner electrical installation permit. Under Section 17(2)(b) of the Electrical Safety Regulation, a homeowner permit may only be issued if the electrical work involves installations where the current does not exceed 200 amps and the voltage does not exceed 150 volts to ground, using single-phase power. Other eligibility requirements and restrictions also apply, including restrictions related to who may perform the work and the types of properties and buildings where homeowner-permitted work may be performed. This includes requirements that may apply to ancillary buildings and vacation homes.

Review the homeowner electrical permit eligibility requirements before applying. If you’re not sure whether you need a permit, take our homeowner permit eligibility quiz to find out.

Technical Safety BC issues electrical installation permits, unless you are located in one of the following areas, in which case you should check with the municipality or district.

• Burnaby
• Maple Ridge
• North Vancouver
• Surrey
• Victoria
• Vancouver
• West Vancouver

An electrical FSR is a professionally-qualified individual who is certified with us. They can validate completed electrical work and can provide assurance that the electrical equipment has been safely installed and is being properly maintained. 

An FSR must be named on every electrical permit application. FSRs for electrical installation permits can be changed at any time by contacting us, but the FSR listed for a project must be accurate. FSRs should only be listed on permits for projects they are actively managing. Inaccuracy can lead to serious consequences, including legal liability.

1. Apply and pay for a permit through your online services account or using this online form. If you use the form, you will have to submit payment separately through mail, or by calling us.

2. Once your application is approved, we will issue a permit number.

3. Your Field Safety Representative (FSR) then declares compliance and requests an inspection. This must be done after each phase is complete and at least once within 180 days of the permit being issued.

4. We will process the request and determine if a further physical assessment is needed.

Generally, the person responsible for the regulated work must apply for the permit and is responsible for the regulated work being performed on site.

Contractors should obtain permits for the work they perform. Homeowners doing their own electrical work must apply for their own permits.

Someone else may help with the application, but the person responsible for the work must submit it and have an understanding of the electrical system being installed.

An electrical installation permit is connected to both the permit holder and the location or job site where the work is taking place.

If a licensed electrical contractor obtains the permit, it is then associated with the contractor’s licence and the work site.

If a homeowner obtains the permit, it is associated with the homeowner and the address where the work is being completed.

Often, the scope of work changes over the course of a project, affecting the value of the permit. If this is the case, a permit amendment must be submitted. A permit for the final value and scope of work must be in place before requesting for a final inspection. Undervalued work may be subject to enforcement action.

For electrical permit amendments, complete the electrical permit value amendment form. 

Learn more about permit value amendment criteria.

If work is ongoing, submit a declaration every 180 days.

If no work has been completed since the last inspection, you can submit a 180-day safety check declaration or a work-in-progress declaration explaining that no work has occurred. This extends the permit for another 180 days.

Temporary operating permits for construction services can’t be extended. If work continues, the existing permit must be closed by submitting a final declaration stating that a new temporary construction service permit has been obtained, and providing the new permit number.

The work description on the new permit should indicate that the temporary construction service is continuing in operation and reference the previous permit number. This helps the safety officer see the complete permit history when assessing the declaration.

Electrical installation permits don’t have a fixed end date, but they must remain active.

If there’s no activity on a permit for 180 days, the permit may expire. No regulated work may continue under an expired permit until the permit has been reactivated.

To reactivate a permit, you’ll need to:

1. Pay the permit expiry amendment fee. See the Electrical Fee Schedule for the current fee information.

2. Submit a declaration.

This extends the permit for another 180 days.

Starting regulated electrical work without the required permit can result in enforcement action or a regulatory investigation.

It can also create other risks, including:

• Potential insurance implications if damage or loss occurs;
• Financial liability for contractors, equipment owners, or customers; and
• Reputational impacts for contractors.

Tools such as Technical Safety BC’s Permit Search and Find a Licensed Contractor also allow customers to check whether appropriate permits and licensed contractors are in place.

The Electrical Safety Regulation requires the appropriate electrical installation permit to be obtained before regulated electrical work is performed, subject to the applicable exemptions and provisions of the Regulation.

Technical Safety BC may take investigative or enforcement action when work is performed without a permit. Depending on the circumstances, enforcement actions may include:

• Compliance orders
• Discipline orders
• Monetary penalties
• Suspension or revocation of a contractor licence

These actions can apply to licensed contractors, unlicensed individuals, homeowners, or equipment owners who perform or authorize unpermitted regulated work.