Electrical Permits - Commercial

Main page content begins here

Electrical Permit - Commercial

Commercial electrical permits for new buildings and changes to existing:

Commercial, industrial, institutional or mixed-use (a blend of commercial and residential) buildings
Apartments/condos
Row houses with 5 or more dwelling units
Stacked row houses

For electrical work inside a home see Electrical Permit - Residential.

Who Should I Contact?

Service	City of Edmonton	EPCOR
Emergency inspections	Call 311	-
Pad transformers	Permits only	Inspections only
New services		Inspections only
Service changes or upgrades	Permits and inspections	Resolves questions about whether a project requires a service change/upgrade or new service
Service repair/upgrade	Permits and inspections	-
Solar/Renewable	Permits and inspections
Underground (Primary Service Conductor- Power)	-	Inspections
Underground (Branch Circuit - power from primary panel to anywhere on your property)	Permits and inspections
Site Identification Number	-	Provides site identification numbers
Any type of service in annexed areas	Contact the electrical technical advisor at 780-496-6674	-

Service Overview

Base inspection costs are included in permit fees. See Additional Fees for more information on costs for additional inspections.

Stand-Alone Electrical Permits

For stand-alone fee estimates, see the Planning and Development Fee Schedules.

Electrical Permits Obtained In Connection with Building Permit

Construction Value ¹	Base Fee	Safety Codes Fee
$0 - $24,000	$160	4% of the permit cost with a minimum of $4.50 and a maximum of $560.
$24,001 - $80,000	$230
$80,001 - $400,000	$405
$400,001 - $2,000,00	$835
$2,000,001 or greater	$2,695

¹ Construction value is defined as the total cost of materials and services. Construction value does not include: landscaping, parking lots, sidewalks, furnishings, appliances, interior window coverings, temporary service connections, insurance or bonding, interim financing, permit fees, professional consulting fees, GST.

Annual Permits

Permit Fee

Base Fee	Multiplier
$345	$1.14 per $100 of electrical installation cost ¹

¹ Electrical installation cost is the total amount of materials and labour.

Inspection Fee

Inspection Fee	Safety Code Fee ¹	Total
$160 per hour (minimum 1 hour fee)	$6.40	$166.40 per hour

Note: The Safety code fee is 4% of the permit cost with a minimum of $4.50 and a maximum of $560.

For more information, see the Planning and Development Fee Schedules.

Permit Review Timelines

Electrical permit applications submitted in connection to a building permit are typically reviewed within 2-3 business days after the building permit is issued.

Stand-alone electrical permit applications are reviewed to determine if a development permit and/or building permit is/are required. Electrical permit applications are typically reviewed within 2-3 business days.

Permits

When projects have a general contractor, the electrical permit is applied for and issued in conjunction with the building permit. Contact your general contractor to be added to the electrical permit application.
An electrical permit includes inspections for one main service and one electrical “house” meter. Inspections of additional meters require additional electrical permits.
Installation of or alterations to fire signaling systems require a building permit in addition to an electrical permit.
A stand-alone minimum-fee permit is required for pad-mounted transformers. Permits are issued by the City of Edmonton, however inspections are coordinated through EPCOR.

See Which Permits Do I Need? for more information about permit requirements.

Permits

Do I Need A Permit?

An electrical permit is required when installing or altering electrical systems.

An electrical permit is not required for routine maintenance.

Maintenance means the like-for-like repair or replacement of worn or damaged building components or systems, including mechanical and electrical systems, for their preservation or upkeep but not their improvement, renovation, remodelling, or upgrading.

Electrical permits are not required for demolitions.

All new electrical installations require a permit, including new construction, renovations/alterations, electrical service upgrades, fire alarm systems, and lighting retrofits.

Any addition to an electrical system requires a permit. Examples include:

Adding new circuits/wiring for receptacles and/or lighting
Repair/replacement of aluminum wiring
Solar voltaic systems and electric signs
Electrical Vehicle Charging Station installation

Which Permits Do I Need?

An electrical permit includes inspections for one main service and one electrical “house” meter. Each additional meter requires an additional permit.

Stand-Alone Electrical Permits

A stand-alone electrical permit is issued when the scope of the project does not require a building permit.

Stand-alone permits are required for:

Pad-mounted transformers
Service changes or upgrades
If you are unsure whether your project involves a service change or upgrade contact EPCOR at 780-412-3288.

Building Permits

Installation or alterations to fire signaling systems require a building permit in addition to an electrical permit.

Who Can Apply for Permits?

Permit applicants must meet the following criteria:

Have a valid business licence with the City of Edmonton
Be a master electrician registered with the City of Edmonton
Be registered and in good standing with the Safety Codes Council

Building owners or administrators can apply for an annual permit.

New Master Electrician Registration:

To register a new master electrician book an in-person, telephone, or virtual appointment.

Ensure you have the following at hand:

Master Electrician Certificate
Government-issued photo identification (driver's licence, passport, or other identification)

Note: Both the company owner and the master electrician must be present for registration.

Contractor Changes

Contractor Changes

Contractor changes can be completed within the Self-Serve project dashboard until the permit is issued.

After the permit is issued or an inspection has occurred, submit the completed Request for Change of Permit Holder form to electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca.

A new permit may be required if inspections have occurred.

Apply for Your Permit

Apply Online

Submit the application online. Electrical contractors must be licensed with the City of Edmonton

Email or Drop off the Application

Download and complete the fillable PDF Application Form , including a description of the location and extent of the proposed work.
Plans must be submitted for applications that have electrical costs exceeding $50,000, complex installations or solar system installations
Attach electrical plans and/or specifications to the completed application and submit through:
- email to electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca, or
- drop off at the Edmonton Service Centre
For inquiries and questions, please book a virtual or in-person appointment
Begin work only after the City of Edmonton has issued the required permits following a satisfactory review of the application
Request an inspection within the SelfServe project dashboard under the 'Inspections' heading, or if necessary, call 311.

A permit must be applied for and issued prior to starting any work and requesting an inspection.

For inquiries and questions, please book a virtual or in-person appointment.

After You Apply

Work cannot be started until permits are issued. Starting construction without a permit can result in stop work orders, fines and/or administrative penalties.

To make changes before a Development Permit or Building Permit is issued, consult the City staff member assigned to your file.

After a Development Permit or Building Permit is issued, request Permit Revisions in selfserve.edmonton.ca. Additional charges may apply for revisions.

To cancel your application, email the Cancellation/Refund Request form to the City staff member assigned to your file.

Inspections

After your project has progressed to the right stage, you must request that a Safety Codes inspector visit your site.

Failure to complete required inspections may result in you having to remove finished walls and/or additional inspection costs and delays.

All required inspections for a project are listed in SelfServe after issuing a permit. You can request, cancel, or reschedule them there. You can also request inspections by calling 311 (outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311).

Deviation from reviewed plans cannot be endorsed on-site. When work completed does not match the reviewed plans, revised plans must be submitted for additional review.

Review the Commercial Inspections page to learn:

How to prepare for your inspection by displaying the address, providing safe access and having the reviewed permit documents printed on site for reference by the inspector
At which stages to request inspections
How to request inspections
What to expect during each inspection type

Technical Information

Temporary Electric Heat Permit Option

Although less common than temporary natural gas or propane heat, the option to utilize electric heating sources can be requested by the building permit holder by adding an additional electrical permit in the self-serve dashboard of the project. The subcontractor is not to apply for a standalone permit.

If one 30-amp temporary heater is plugged into a receptacle in a new home after the permanent power for the new home has been energized, then no permit or inspection will be required.

Upon the temporary electrical permit being issued, the permit holder requests a construction meter from Epcor, the utility provider. Epcor allows a maximum of one 30A|240V heater for each 100A service.

After the temporary heater and line have been installed, the building permit holder must request an inspection in the self-serve dashboard of the project. The installations must meet the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code and the Safety Codes Act.

Find information about temporary natural gas or propane heat on the Plumbing and Gas page.

New Services or Service Changes

For applications, information and questions related to new services or service changes, contact EPCOR.

Pad Transformers

Permits for pad transformers are issued by the City of Edmonton, and inspections are coordinator through EPCOR.

A separate, minimum-fee permit is required for each transformer pad.

To correctly apply for a minimum fee permit:

Apply for your permit online.
Ensure the electrical construction value entered in your application does not exceed $3,000.00

Under the Alberta Safety Codes Act and Permit Regulations, an electrical permit is required to install, alter or add to an electrical system.

Annual Permits are site-specific and are intended for minor installations and maintenance and generally apply to commercial, industrial or institutional premises.

The City of Edmonton issues annual electrical permits.

Email or Drop off the Application

Download and complete the fillable PDF Annual Electrical Permit Application Form.
- Email to electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca
- Drop off at the Edmonton Service Centre
- For inquiries and questions, please call the electrical technical advisor at 780-496-6674
Begin work only after the City of Edmonton has issued the required permits following a satisfactory review of the application.

Who may apply for an Annual Permit:

An owner or operator of the premises provided they have a Certified Journeyman Electrician performing the work. A supporting letter accompanying the application will be required.
A Certified Journeyman Electrician employed full time by the company. A supporting letter will be required.
An Electrical Contractor retained by the company to perform the work. A supporting letter will be required.

Annual Permit Conditions:

An Annual Permit does not entitle the holder to affect major electrical additions or alterations to the premises.
The Annual Permit holder shall maintain an accurate record of all minor electrical repairs, alterations or additions. These records shall be retained for a minimum of two years and made available to the Safety Codes Officer upon request.
Annual Permits are limited to a one-year term starting on the date of permit issuance.
A separate Electrical Permit is required for all major repairs, alterations and additions not covered by the Annual Permit.

Consult the EPCOR Power Connection Process Guide to find information on setting up power in a new location or making changes to an existing service.

Alternative Solutions / Variances

Variances or alternative solutions are installations, processes, equipment, or actions that are not consistent with the Alberta Safety Codes Act but provide an equal or greater level of safety.

Alternative solutions must be authorized by a Safety Codes Officer.

To obtain approval for an alternative solution submit the Variance/Alternative Solutions Request Form with your permit application.

Apply for EPCOR Services

EPCOR Connection Guide

Download Free Codes from the National Research Council

Government of Alberta Municipal Affairs

Alberta Safety Codes Council

City of Edmonton - Safety Codes Permit Bylaw 15894

Frequently Asked Questions

When will my permit be issued?

Trade Permit Connected to Building Permit

When a trade permit is submitted in conjunction with a building permit, the following must be completed before the trade permit is issued:

permit application review is complete, and
all fees are paid.

Consult with your building permit holder to determine the status of the building permit application.

Stand-Alone Trade Permit

When a permit is submitted for stand-alone work, the following must be completed before the trade permit is issued:

Application for a development permit and confirmation that a development is not required.
Application for a building permit and confirmation that a building permit is not required.

Note: Stand-alone trade permits submitted in error will be refunded less a fee. See Additional Fees for more information.

When does my permit expire?

Permits expire:

90 days from the date of permit issuance if construction has not started, or
24 months from the date of permit issuance

Contact Us

Edmonton Service Centre

Contact Us Online

Hours of Operation:
8am-4:30pm
Monday - Friday (by appointment)

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email	electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca