Sonoma County, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2022 California Electrical Code, Title 24 Pt. 3
- Permits issued by
- Permit and Resource Management Department
- Exempt
- Lamp/receptacle repairs, temp decorative lighting
- Not exempt
- New circuits, panels, fixed wiring
Summary
Sonoma County adopts the 2022 California Electrical Code and requires a permit for most electrical work in the unincorporated county, with a short, specific list of exemptions for minor repairs.
(4)CCR, Title 24, Part 3, 2022 California Electrical Code (CEC)... 105.2 Work exempt from permit... Permits shall not be required for the following:... (b)Electrical Permit Exemptions:1.Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electric equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.2.The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sonoma County adopts the 2022 California Electrical Code (CCR Title 24, Part 3) by reference under Sonoma County Code § 7-13(A)(4), then locally amends CEC Section 105.2 to spell out what electrical work is exempt from a permit. Everything else, new circuits, panels, fixed wiring, and most new installations, needs a permit from the Permit and Resource Management Department before work starts. The only exemptions are minor repairs such as lamp replacement, reconnecting approved portable equipment to existing receptacles, temporary decorative lighting, reinstalling attachment-plug receptacles, repairing branch-circuit overcurrent devices in the same location, and communications wiring.
Violations & Fines
Doing exempt-list electrical work without a permit violates Sonoma County Code § 7-13; the chief building official can order a stop-work and assess a review fee equal to the permit fee under § 7-13(B)(4)(6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace an electrical outlet in Sonoma County?
What electrical work is exempt from a Sonoma County permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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