Fall River, MA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard permit
- Individual permit per installation
- Eligibility
- Only state-certified electricians
- Alternative
- Annual permit for regular employers
- Annual permit expires
- December 31 each year
Summary
Fall River requires an individual permit for most electrical installations, issued only to state-certified electricians through the Inspectional Services Division, though regular employers of licensed electricians can get one annual permit instead.
Required; issuance. Except as provided in this section, no electrical installation shall be made unless authorized by an individual permit as required in this section pursuant to the procedure in Article II of this chapter.
B. Fee. Any person desiring an electrical permit shall, at the time of filing an application therefor, pay the fee required by the City as provided in Chapter A110, Fee Schedule, of the City Code.[1] [1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions).
C. Exempted work. No permit shall be required for minor repair work, the replacement of lamps, or the connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed.
D. Temporary wiring. No permit shall be required for the installation of temporary wiring for testing electrical apparatus or equipment.
E. Annual permit. No individual permit shall be required for work done by any holder of an annual permit as described in § 10-35, provided such work otherwise complies with the regulations contained in this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under § 10-176, no electrical installation may be made in Fall River without an individual permit, issued through the same Article II procedure used for other building permits. Permits go only to holders of State Examiners of Electricians certificates under MGL c. 141, § 3 (§ 10-36). Anyone regularly employing one or more licensed journeyman electricians can instead get a single annual electrical permit under § 10-35 covering work on premises they own or occupy; it expires December 31 each year. Minor repairs, lamp replacement, and plugging into existing permanently installed receptacles are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Working without the required permit exposes the installer to a fine under § 10-31; the City can also revoke an electrical permit for cause under § 10-37.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for every electrical job in Fall River?
Who can get an electrical permit in Fall River?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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Electrical Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle electrical permits.