Santa Clara County, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 CA Electrical Code (NEC 2023)
- Admin provisions
- 2006 ICC Electrical Code
- Fees set by
- Board of Supervisors resolution
- Citation
- Sec. C4-1, C4-3(a)
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County enforces the 2025 California Electrical Code, based on the 2023 National Electrical Code, with plan review and permit fees set by Board of Supervisors resolution.
The Electrical Code of the County is the 2025 California Electrical Code and the 2006 International Code Council (ICC) Electrical Code - Administrative Provisions, as modified by the additions, deletions, and amendments set forth in this chapter. The 2025 California Electrical Code is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) (2023 Edition) as modified by the California Building Standards Commission. The 2006 ICC Electrical Code—Administrative Provisions is published by the International Code Council.
(Ord. No. NS-1100.136, § 8, 12-13-22; Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 7, 12-9-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Santa Clara County Ordinance Code § C4-1 adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code, itself based on the 2023 National Electrical Code, plus the 2006 ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions, for all electrical work in unincorporated Santa Clara County. Under § C4-3(a), which replaces Section 404.2 of the administrative provisions, a plan review fee is due whenever plans must be submitted before an electrical permit issues, and a separate permit fee is due once plans are approved for issuance; both fee amounts are set by Board of Supervisors resolution rather than fixed in the code text. Electrical permits are administered by the Building Official's Development Services Office, with appeals heard by a board of appeals under Division C2.
Violations & Fines
Performing electrical work without a permit under the adopted 2025 California Electrical Code is enforced as a building code violation, subject to stop-work orders, fines, and mandatory correction before occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which electrical code applies to unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Are electrical permit fees listed in the ordinance itself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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