Pasadena, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PMC § 14.03.060
- Adopted code
- 2025 California Electrical Code
- Adoption date
- Nov. 10, 2025 (Ord. No. 7461)
- Electrical exemption
- only CEC Article 89 activities
- Application expires
- 1 year if no permit issued
- Misdemeanor penalty
- up to $1,000 / 6 months, per day
- Emergency repairs
- permit due next business day
Summary
Pasadena requires a separate permit from the building official before any electrical work regulated by the adopted California Electrical Code proceeds, under Section 14.03.060 of the Building Code and Related Codes chapter. The city adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code by reference at Section 14.04.010, and only activities exempted under California Electrical Code Article 89 skip the local permit.
A.Required: Except as specified in this code, no building, structure or building service equipment regulated by this code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, installed, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate, appropriate application has been made and permit for each building, structure or building service equipment has first been obtained from the building official. No grading shall occur without the prior procurement of a grading permit or as authorized by the building official. Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for actions and installations that are regulated by this code... 2.Electrical Permits: An electrical permit shall not be required for exempted activities in accordance with California Electrical Code Article 89.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
060(A) requires a separate, appropriate permit application to the building official before any building, structure or building service equipment regulated by the code, including electrical work, is erected, altered, repaired, moved, installed, improved or removed, and states plainly that 'separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for actions and installations that are regulated by this code' unless otherwise exempted. 060(B)(2) narrows the electrical exemption to only those activities exempted under California Electrical Code Article 89, meaning nearly all wiring, service and fixture work in the city needs a permit and inspection.
010 by Ordinance No. 7461 on November 10, 2025; a copy is kept on file with the city for public inspection. 060(H), and an application expires if no permit issues within one year. 060(C): the repair may proceed immediately, but a complete permit application must be submitted by the next business day. 070, ties new-construction compliance to the same adopted California Electrical Code.
Violations & Fines
Section 14.03.050 makes it unlawful to construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building, structure or building service equipment, including electrical installations, in violation of the code's permit requirements. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and a conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The city may also pursue the administrative proceedings set out in Title 1 of the code in addition to that criminal penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rewire an outlet in Pasadena?
What electrical code does Pasadena enforce?
Can I fix an electrical emergency before getting a permit?
What's the penalty for doing electrical work without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
California rules heatmap·Compare Pasadena to another location·View the California building safety overview
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