Skokie, IL Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Section 22-91 adopts the National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, as Skokie's electrical code under authority of 65 ILCS 5/1-3-2, with Section 22-92 giving any conflicting Village ordinance priority over the model code. Section 22-93 amends the adopted NEC in specific, quotable ways that shape what an electrical permit application must show. New commercial, industrial and residential structures requiring electrical service must be served underground unless the Village Manager or designee determines underground service is not feasible. Copper wire is mandated for all ground conductors and bonding jumpers, and non-metallic raceway or cable is prohibited outright; electrical metallic tubing, rigid conduit or intermediate metal conduit must enclose branch circuit wiring, with flexible metal conduit allowed only in accessible locations up to 6 feet unless the Village grants special permission for a longer run.

Sub-panels may not be added to an existing single-phase 100-amp service, a restriction aimed at overloaded older Skokie housing stock. GFCI protection is waived for single-receptacle sump, ejector and lift-station pumps and for HVAC condensers with a properly sized equipment grounding conductor, and AFCI protection is not required on branch circuits feeding kitchen counter outlets, kitchen appliances, furnaces, motors and pumps that may arc in normal operation. Contractor registration and insurance requirements set elsewhere in Chapter 22 and permit fees under Chapter 46 apply to electrical work performed under the adopted code, and Section 22-1's general penalty provisions and Section 22-2's notice-and-hearing procedure govern enforcement.