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Yolo County, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Adopted code
2019 California Electrical Code
Governing section
Yolo County Code § 7-1.02(c)
Administrative rules
Same as CBC, Sec. 7-1.03
Permit issuer
Chief Building Official
Permit expires
12 months if work not started
Appeal deadline
30 days to Planning Commission
Max penalty
$500 fine and/or 6 months jail per day

Summary

Yolo County requires an electrical permit for wiring work in the unincorporated area by adopting the 2019 California Electrical Code under Sec. 7-1.02(c), administered through the same permit, fee, and appeal process the county built into its building code in Sec. 7-1.03 and 7-1.04.

City-specific rules exist: West Sacramento has its own electrical permits rules that differ from Yolo County's county-level regulations. If you live in West Sacramento, check the city-specific page instead.

The 2019 California Electrical Code including Annex Chapters: A- Product Safety Standards, B-Application Information for Ampacity Calculation, C-Conduit and Tubing Fill Tables for Conductors and Fixture Wires of the Same Size, D-Examples, F-Availability and Reliability for Critical Operations Power Systems; and Development and Implementation of Functional Performance Tests (FPTs) for Critical Operations Power Systems, and G-Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), as published in Title 24, Part 3 of the California Code of Regulations as amended in Section 7-1.06.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Sec. " Sec. 03," meaning electrical permits run through the same Chief Building Official process as any other Title 7 permit. 2, "in accordance with the current fee schedule as adopted by the Board of Supervisors" (Sec. 04(a)(5)), with electrical fees calculated as a percentage of the building permit fee. 5 (Sec. 04(a)(4)); reviving an expired permit costs half the original fee. 1 (Sec. 04(a)(6)) requires an investigation fee equal to the permit fee. 4 (Sec. 04(a)(10)).

Violations & Fines

Performing electrical work without the required permit is a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-2.01, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of continued unpermitted work treated as a separate offense, in addition to the Section 109.4.1 investigation fee charged before a permit can be issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

What electrical code applies to unincorporated Yolo County?
The 2019 California Electrical Code, adopted by Sec. 7-1.02(c), including its annex chapters covering ampacity calculations, conduit fill tables, and critical operations power systems, as amended by Sec. 7-1.06 to run through the county's standard building-permit administration.
Who issues electrical permits in Yolo County?
The Chief Building Official, using the same administrative provisions, fee schedule, and appeal process set up for building permits generally under Sec. 7-1.03 and Section 109.2, since Sec. 7-1.06 adds those provisions directly to the electrical code.
How long is an electrical permit good for?
Under Section 105.5, an electrical permit expires if the work is not started within 12 months of issuance or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days; restarting after expiration costs half the original permit fee.
What if I do electrical work without a permit?
Section 109.4.1 requires the county to charge an investigation fee equal to the full permit fee before it will issue one after the fact, and the unpermitted work is also a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-2.01, carrying up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yolo County

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All Yolo County rules

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Electrical Permits in Cities Across Yolo County

West Sacramento, CA