Union City, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 CA Electrical Code
- Effective date
- Jan. 1, 2026
- First infraction fine
- $150
- Administering agency
- Building Inspection Division
Summary
Union City adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code by reference, requiring a permit for any electrical system work performed within city limits.
The California Electrical Code 2025 Edition, (Based on 2020 National Electrical Code), appendices thereto, including the General Code Provisions Article 89, for the National Electrical Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association, and all revisions and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, are hereby adopted by reference as the Electrical Code of the City of Union City, regulating the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of electrical building systems within the City of Union City.
B. One copy of said Code and appendices thereto has been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Union City at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California, and the same or identical copy thereof, not less than one in number, shall at all times be kept on file for similar use.
C. The rules, regulations, provisions, requirements, orders, and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force on January 1, 2026. (Ord. 2025-006, 11/25/2025)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Union City Municipal Code § 15.44.010 adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code (based on the 2020 National Electrical Code), including NFPA's General Code Provisions Article 89, by reference as the city's Electrical Code. It governs the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, and maintenance of electrical building systems citywide, effective January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 2025-006. The Building Inspection Division within the Economic and Community Development Department is the administrative authority, permit fees follow the City Council's resolution schedule (§ 15.44.070), and a Board of Appeals of Council-appointed hearing officers issues final rulings on disputed determinations (§ 15.44.080).
Violations & Fines
Electrical work without the required permit is an infraction, fined $150 first offense, $300 second, $600 third, and the violation is deemed a public nuisance the City may abate (§§ 15.44.040-.050).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to add a new circuit in Union City?
What electrical code edition does Union City use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California building safety overview
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Electrical Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle electrical permits.