Columbus, OH Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

No person shall construct, install, alter or repair any electrical equipment in or about any building in the city without first obtaining a permit from the department to do such work and paying the fee prescribed therefor in the fee schedule; nor shall the owner or person having charge of any property within the city cause or allow any such work to be done on such premises without a permit having been first obtained therefor and the fee having been paid.(2)A permit shall be obtained only by an OCIEB licensed electrical contractor duly registered with the department or any occupying homeowner. A permit for the installation of a low voltage fire alarm system shall be obtained by an Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Licensing and Certification certified fire alarm and detection equipment company duly registered with the department.(3)Exceptions: No permit shall be required for repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, taping bare joints, repairing drop cords, repairing electrical portions of an appliance, or installing battery-powered detectors and/or alarm systems or for the use of manufactured electrical assemblies listed and labeled by a recognized testing agency for all lighting and power needs in a properly registered temporary tent event.