Tulare County, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2022 California Electrical Code
- Based on
- 2020 National Electrical Code
- Inspecting official
- Resource Management Agency Director
- Special trigger
- Circuses/carnivals/sideshows always need a permit
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under § 125
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Tulare County only
Summary
Tulare County adopts the 2022 California Electrical Code for all unincorporated territory under Ordinance Code § 7-15-1485. A permit is required for electrical work on buildings covered by the adopted Building Code, and separately for circuses, carnivals and sideshows under § 7-15-1510, with unpermitted work a misdemeanor.
Except as otherwise provided in this Article, the code entitled 2022 California Electrical Code, based on the 2020 National Electrical Code, found in Title 24, Part 3 of the California Code of Regulations, is hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part of this Article with the same effect as if fully set forth herein, and is hereby adopted as the Electrical Code of the County of Tulare, and all of the provisions thereof shall apply to all of the unincorporated territory of the County of Tulare.
Full Breakdown
Section 7-15-1485 adopts the 2022 California Electrical Code, based on the 2020 National Electrical Code and published in Title 24, Part 3 of the California Code of Regulations, as the Electrical Code of the County of Tulare, applicable to all unincorporated territory. ' Section 7-15-1510 limits the Article's normal reach to buildings and structures already subject to the California Building Code, but adds that an electrical permit is required for circuses, carnivals, sideshows and other uses listed in Section 14 of Zoning Ordinance No. 352 regardless of whether a covered building is involved, and an owner who is otherwise exempt can voluntarily apply for a permit and thereby become bound by the Electrical Code going forward.
Permit and inspection fees are set by Board of Supervisors resolution under § 7-15-1505. Because Tulare County ordinances govern only unincorporated land, an electrical permit inside Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba or another incorporated city is issued and inspected by that city, not the county.
Violations & Fines
Making an electrical installation, alteration or repair in violation of the adopted Electrical Code or Article 9 is a misdemeanor under § 7-15-1515, punishable as provided in § 125 of the Ordinance Code, with each day the violation continues, or is permitted to continue, prosecuted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electrical code does Tulare County use?
Do temporary events like carnivals need an electrical permit?
What is the penalty for unpermitted electrical work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulare County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tulare County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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