Yavapai County, AZ Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2023 National Electrical Code, Ordinance 2025-8
- Permit exemptions
- 12 categories listed under Section R105.2
- Low-voltage exemption
- Under 25 volts, 50 watts, no permit
- Special inspection
- 1,000+ amp or 600+ volt equipment
- Penalty
- Class 2 Misdemeanor, up to $750/$10,000 per day
- Enforcing agency
- Development Services, Building Safety Unit
- Appeal
- Hearing Officer decision to Board of Supervisors
Summary
Unincorporated Yavapai County enforces the 2023 National Electrical Code under Ordinance No. 2025-8 and requires an electrical permit for wiring work under Section R105.2 of the county's residential code. Twelve narrow categories, from cord-and-plug decorative lighting to like-for-like water heater replacement, are exempt; everything else needs a Development Services permit before work starts.
Electrical permits. An electrical permit shall not be required for the following: 1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting. 2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets therefor. ... 5. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy. ... 10. Low-energy power, controls, and signal circuit of Class II and Class III as defined in the Electrical Code. 11. Items as listed per Article 90.2 (D) Installations Not Covered in the 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted by this jurisdiction. 12. Electric water heaters (replacement of the same type and rating).
Full Breakdown
Yavapai County adopted the National Electrical Code, 2023 Edition, by Ordinance No. ' Ordinance No. 2, amended by Ordinance No. 2025-4, exempts only twelve narrow categories from an electrical permit, among them cord-and-plug decorative lighting, reinstalled attachment-plug receptacles, low-voltage wiring under 25 volts and 50 watts, temporary testing systems, and like-for-like electric water heater replacement. 2(D) 'Installations Not Covered' list adds. 1 as the agency that administers and enforces the code. 4(E): ground-fault protection performance tests, switchboards and panelboards rated 1,000 amperes or 600 volts or more, transformers of 100 kVA (single phase) or 300 kVA (three phase) or larger, and health-care or hazardous-location systems under NEC Article 517. These exemptions apply only to Building Safety review; other county departments may still require sign-off for the same work.
Violations & Fines
Doing permit-required electrical work without one, or skipping a required special inspection, is a Class 2 Misdemeanor under Section R113.1, prosecuted through county counsel if a notice of violation isn't cured. The county Hearing Officer can fine an individual up to $750 and a corporation up to $10,000 per day under ARS §§13-802 and 13-803, treating each day of continued violation as a separate offense, with the Hearing Officer's decision appealable to the Board of Supervisors under ARS §11-815.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to add an electrical outlet in unincorporated Yavapai County?
What electrical work is exempt from a permit?
What code does the county enforce for electrical work?
What's the penalty for unpermitted electrical work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yavapai County
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