Chico, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- install, alter, repair, replace, remodel
- Exempt
- portable equipment, lamps, fuses
- Adopted electrical code
- CMC Chapter 16R.04
- Authority
- CMC § 16.10.030(A)
Summary
Chico requires a separate electrical permit for installing, altering, repairing, replacing, or remodeling any electrical equipment in a building, with narrow exemptions for portable equipment and minor repairs.
A. Electrical Permits. An electrical permit shall be required for the installation, alteration, repair, replacement, or remodeling of any electrical equipment on or within any building, structure, or premises in the city; except that an electrical permit shall not be required for the following: ... 2. Portable electrical equipment not permanently connected to an electrical supply system; 3. Replacement of lamps and fuses; 4. Minor repair work to electrical equipment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
CMC § 16.10.030(A) makes an electrical permit, separate from the basic building permit, mandatory for essentially all electrical work on or within a building, structure, or premises in the city, covering installation, alteration, repair, replacement, and remodeling. The only exemptions are equipment already excused under the adopted electrical standards, portable equipment not permanently connected to a supply system, replacing lamps and fuses, and minor repair work. Those adopted electrical standards themselves are the city's Chapter 16R.04, applied under § 16.06.030(A). Electrical permits are issued alongside plan check by the Building Division.
Violations & Fines
Performing electrical work without the required permit is a code violation; the City can issue a stop-work order, require an inspection and after-the-fact permit, and cite the work as an infraction under the general penalty provision, § 1.04.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to add a new circuit in Chico?
Can I replace a light fixture or fuse without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California building safety overview
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