Fresno County, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Electrical code adopted
- 2022 CA Electrical Code (§15.16.010)
- Residential reconnection trigger
- 1 year disconnected
- Commercial/industrial trigger
- 180 days disconnected
- Engineer-stamped plans required
- Over 400A/600V or 15,000 sq ft
- New service limit
- Load allowed by zoning
Summary
Fresno County adopts the 2022 California Electrical Code as its wiring standard under Code Section 15.16.010, and layers on local permit triggers, including a required inspection permit before reconnecting long-disconnected service. New electrical service is also capped to whatever load or use the property's zoning actually allows.
2.For all existing residential buildings and agricultural service poles where service has been disconnected for one (1) year or more, the service may not be reconnected without inspection and approval from the Building Official. A permit is required for the inspection.E.Article 230.2, Number of Services, is amended by adding Special Condition No. 7 to read as follows: Special Condition No. 7: For tenant spaces when one (1) occupant expands operations into an adjacent tenant space and demising walls are removed or openings in such walls are created, wiring systems for each service shall be completely segregated from the wiring systems of other services and shall not cross over a defined demarcation line which shall be described at each service.
F.Permits for new electrical service installations will be limited to installations that serve a connected load or approved use as allowed by the property's zoning.G.Approved temporary electrical service installations shall comply with section 15.04.090.C of this chapter.H.Reserved. (Ord. No. 23-001, § 1(Exh. 2), 2-28-2023; Ord. No. 19-025, § 1(Exh. B), 12-10-2019; Ord. No. 13-024, § 1(Exh. B), 11-12-2013; Ord. No. 11-005, § 1, 5-24-2011; Ord. 07-049, Exh. A)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
010 adopts "the 2022 Edition of the California Electrical Code, including Informative Annex A through Informative Annex G" as the wiring standard for the unincorporated county, enforced by the Building Official within the Department of Public Works and Planning. 020 amends several parts of that code for local conditions. " The same subsection imposes a shorter, 180-day trigger for commercial and industrial buildings and places of assembly, also requiring an inspection permit before reconnection, with approval withheld if any unsafe wiring or equipment is found.
Subsection (F) ties new electrical service directly to land use: "Permits for new electrical service installations will be limited to installations that serve a connected load or approved use as allowed by the property's zoning," so a service upgrade can be denied if it would support a use the parcel isn't zoned for. 020(C) requires that services over 400 amps or 600 volts, or buildings over 15,000 square feet, have their electrical plans prepared by a California-licensed electrical engineer. 030: any new electrical work performed as part of a building addition or alteration must comply fully with the adopted Electrical Code, and the Building Official decides how much of the untouched existing wiring can remain without being brought up to current standards.
060 requires all unused wiring to be pulled out of a structure and calls for a rough electrical inspection once conductors and cable are protected from weather and physical damage.
Violations & Fines
Reconnecting electrical service to a residential building after a year-long disconnection, or a commercial building after 180 days, without first obtaining the required inspection permit violates Section 15.16.020(D). Because Chapter 15.16 sets no separate penalty of its own, a violation falls back to the county's general misdemeanor penalty under Section 1.12.010: up to a $500 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, and the Building Official can also order the serving utility to disconnect power from a noncompliant installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to turn electrical service back on after it's been off a while?
Can I get a bigger electrical service than my property's zoning allows?
When do I need a licensed electrical engineer to prepare my plans?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.