Peoria, IL Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Peoria City Code Sec. 5-156
- Code adopted
- 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
- Inspection window
- 2 working days after notice
- Owner self-permit
- Single-family owner-occupants only
- No-permit penalty
- Double fee plus Sec. 5-127 fine
Summary
Every new electrical installation and every repair or replacement of an existing electrical system in Peoria needs a permit before work starts. City Code Sec. 5-156 lets a bona fide owner-occupant of a single-family home pull the permit personally, but owners of buildings with two or more dwelling units can never self-permit electrical work.
Permits shall be taken out for both installation of new electrical service or equipment and repairs to or replacement of existing electrical systems. Permits must be obtained before work is started. Permits required under this electrical code shall be issued pursuant to Division 5 of Article II of this chapter except as hereinafter provided. Any permit required by this code may be issued to a person not so registered to do any work regulated by this code provided that the applicant is a bona fide owner and occupant of the dwelling structure or accessory building in which the work is to be performed; that he/she shall personally be responsible for all work performed in connection therewith; and that all material, workmanship, and methods of installation or repair shall meet the requirements of the electrical code; and provided further that the owner shall not take out permits for electrical work in dwelling structures containing two or more dwelling units, regardless of whether such dwelling units are occupied or unoccupied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 119).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5-156 requires a permit for both new electrical service or equipment and for repairs to or replacement of an existing system, and the permit must be obtained before work begins; permits are issued under Division 5 of Article II of Chapter 5. The section carves out one owner exception: a bona fide owner-occupant of a dwelling structure or accessory building may take out the permit without being a registered electrical contractor, provided the owner personally takes responsibility for the work and every material, workmanship and installation method meets the electrical code, but that self-permitting option never applies to a structure with two or more dwelling units, occupied or not.
Sec. 5-171 requires all electrical work to conform to the 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, as adopted by the city, wherever Chapter 5 doesn't set its own specific standard. Once the work is done, Sec. 5-152 requires the installer to notify the building inspections division, which must inspect within two working days; wires that will be hidden from view need a rough-in inspection before concealment, with the same two-day notice, and the division must issue a written, dated final certificate within two working days of that inspection before the utility can energize the service.
Sec. 5-153 additionally requires architect-, engineer- or owner-submitted plans and building inspections division approval before electrical work starts in new buildings, other than residences, and in any building being remodeled.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 5-160 penalizes anyone who installs, alters or adds to wiring, apparatus or fixtures without first obtaining the required permit: no permit or inspection can be issued afterward until double the normal fee is paid, and paying that double fee does not excuse the person from any other penalty. Ignoring a building inspections division correction order is a separate violation, punished under Sec. 5-127's chapter penalty of $500.00 to $2,500.00, and each day the uncorrected wiring remains after the notice period runs is its own offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria
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