Compton, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2019 California Electrical Code
- NEC base
- 2017 National Electrical Code
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. No. 2339 (10-26-2021)
- Local amendments
- None currently in force
- Permit-exempt work
- Lamp replacement, existing receptacles only
Summary
Compton regulates all electrical wiring, fixtures, and appliance installations under the 2019 California Electrical Code, adopted by reference under Municipal Code § 15-8.1. Based on the 2017 National Electrical Code, it governs permits for new wiring, alterations, and repairs citywide, with the standard state text unmodified by local amendment.
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Electrical Code', based on the 2017 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association, including all Annexes, is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Electrical Code of the City of Compton, regulating and controlling the installation, arrangement, alteration, repair, use and other operation of electrical wiring, connections, fixtures and electrical appliances on premises within the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4952997; v15 updated 2026-07-14; through 07-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
1, added by Ordinance No. 2339 on October 26, 2021, adopts the 2019 California Electrical Code, based on the 2017 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association, including all Annexes, in its entirety as the City's Electrical Code. 2, which is reserved for local amendments to that code, currently carries no changes, meaning Compton follows the unmodified state Electrical Code standard for permitting, inspection, and technical wiring requirements. 2(b) exempts only minor repairs and maintenance, such as replacing lamps or plugging approved portable electrical equipment into approved permanently installed receptacles; wiring and equipment for radio and television transmission beyond the power supply and antenna or tower installation; and temporary systems installed solely for testing or servicing electrical equipment.
Any new circuit, electrical panel work, service upgrade, or permanent wiring installation falls outside those narrow exemptions and requires an electrical permit under the adopted Electrical Code. Enforcement runs through the same Building and Safety Department permit and inspection structure used for the rest of Chapter 15's construction codes.
Violations & Fines
Installing, altering, or repairing wiring, panels, or fixtures beyond the narrow repair-and-maintenance exemption in Section 105.2(b) without an electrical permit is unpermitted electrical work, enforceable under the adopted 2019 California Electrical Code and the City's general Building Code violation provisions in Chapter 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
California rules heatmap·Compare Compton to another location·View the California building safety overview
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Electrical Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle electrical permits.