Newport News, VA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Section 13-26(c) sets Newport News electrical permit fees on a sliding scale: a $55 minimum for any electrical permit, then $55/$85 (single-phase/three-phase) for a 0-125 amp new-construction service panel, $85/$110 for 126-150 amps, $110/$165 for 151-200 amps, and $165/$195 for anything over 200 amps, plus $30 for each additional 50 amps or fraction of it. A temporary service hookup or a mobile home reconnection is a flat $50, as is repairing or relocating an existing service without increasing its size; increasing service size up to 200 amps is also $50, plus $15 per additional 50 amps above that. Work started before a permit issues doubles whatever fee would otherwise apply, under section 13-26(g), and a reinspection triggered by faulty work or an unready jobsite adds a $50 service charge under section 13-48. A utility reset inspection, needed to reconnect a structure to electric or gas service, costs $35 under section 13-26(h).

Section 13-42 requires an electrical inspector to perform at least a rough inspection (after wiring is installed but before it is concealed), a service inspection (once the work is ready to energize), and a final inspection covering all fixtures; the inspector can order more inspections for complex jobs. Section 13-43 requires that inspector to issue a certificate of electrical inspection and notify the electric power company. Under section 13-46, it is unlawful for any public utility to connect or reconnect electric or gas service to a building until that inspection has occurred and the certificate has issued.