Riverside, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Adopted
- 2025 California Electrical Code, Title 24 Part 3
- Adoption Section
- RMC § 16.16.020
- Inspection Rule
- Must be inspected before energizing (§16.16.051)
- Inspection Notice
- At least 24 hours before inspection
- Enforcing Office
- City Building Official
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor or infraction, § 16.04.520
Summary
Riverside adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code by reference under RMC § 16.16.020, regulating 'the erection, construction, demolition, equipment, use and maintenance of electrical systems' citywide. RMC § 16.16.051 bars any serving agency from energizing new wiring until the Building Official has inspected and approved it, and requires 24 hours' notice before an inspection.
The California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, Part 3 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and any related errata, and any amendments thereto by the State of California, copyrighted by the National Fire Protection Association, which regulates the erection, construction, demolition, equipment, use and maintenance of electrical systems, is adopted and by this reference is made a part of this Code with the same force and effect as though set out in this chapter in full...All electrical wiring and equipment for which a permit is required shall be inspected and approved by the Building Official before being concealed, energized or used. All fees required by this Code shall be paid by the applicant prior to the energizing or use of such wiring or equipment. No serving agency shall supply, or cause or permit to be supplied, electrical energy to any electrical wiring until the wiring has been inspected and approved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
010). ' The adoption has the same force and effect as if the text were set out in the chapter in full, except for parts the City has separately excepted, deleted, or amended. A certified true copy is kept on file and open to public inspection in the office of the Building Official. 051 then sets out inspection requirements: 'All electrical wiring and equipment for which a permit is required shall be inspected and approved by the Building Official before being concealed, energized or used,' and all required fees must be paid before energizing or using the wiring or equipment.
No serving utility 'shall supply, or cause or permit to be supplied, electrical energy to any electrical wiring until the wiring has been inspected and approved,' though the Building Official may specifically approve temporary power. '
Violations & Fines
RMC § 16.04.510 makes it unlawful to install or maintain electrical systems 'contrary to or in violation of' the adopted electrical code. RMC § 16.04.520 classifies a violation as a misdemeanor, chargeable as an infraction at the City Attorney's discretion, and the Building Official and Code Enforcement Manager may issue notices to appear under Penal Code § 836.5; separately, RMC § 16.16.051 bars energizing unpermitted or uninspected wiring in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
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Electrical Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle electrical permits.