Waco, TX Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- State-issued electrician's license, filed with building official
- Permit required
- City permit for each electrical installation
- Wiring diagram
- Required for 110+ amp service feeders
- Surety bond
- $6,000 bond or equivalent insurance
- Insurance minimums
- $300,000 bodily injury, $600,000 property damage
- Late-permit penalty
- Fee doubles if work starts before permit
- Owner exception
- Homeowner may wire own occupied home
Summary
No one may perform electrical work in Waco without holding a state-issued electrician's license and a city permit for the specific job. Sec. 6-90 requires the state license, Sec. 6-126 bars any electrical installation, alteration, or wiring change without both that license and a permit under Sec. 6-128, and contractors must post a $6,000 surety bond or equivalent insurance.
Except those persons who perform the type of electrical work that is exempt from the requirement for licensure in this state, a person may not perform electrical work in this city unless the person holds an appropriate license issued or recognized by this state. Such license shall be on file in the building official's office, together with the firm's address, telephone number and bond or insurance, as required in section 6-131, before proceeding with any work. ... No person, except public telephone, telegraph messenger services, electric companies and cable television operating under a franchise granted by this city, shall erect, construct, alter or change any electrical installation, work, wiring or fitting of electrical machinery until such person shall have first secured a license as required in section 6-90 et seq. and permit as required by section 6-128. ... (a)No person shall perform or direct another person to erect, construct, alter or change any electrical installation, machinery, apparatus, work or wiring in the city until a permit has been issued by the building official covering each installation to be made.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 6, Article III of the Waco code regulates electricians. Sec. 6-90 states that, except for work exempt from state licensure, "a person may not perform electrical work in this city unless the person holds an appropriate license issued or recognized by this state," and that license must be on file with the building official along with the contractor's address, phone number, and bond or insurance. Sec. 6-126 then bars anyone, other than telephone, telegraph, messenger, electric, or franchised cable companies, from erecting, constructing, altering, or changing any electrical installation, wiring, or machinery until they hold both the Sec.
6-90 license and a Sec. 6-128 permit. Sec. 6-128 requires a permit issued by the building official covering each installation, including a wiring diagram for any service feeder of 110 amperes demand or more before the permit is granted; it is unlawful for any electric service company to wire a building or make electrical connections without an issued permit and inspection certificate. Sec. 6-129 limits permits to licensed persons or a homeowner performing work with his own hands in a home he owns and occupies.
Sec. 00 property-damage coverage per occurrence, before any electrical permit issues. Under Sec. 6-130, starting work before securing the permit doubles the required fee, and Sec. 6-133 requires the permit card to be posted at the job site until final inspection.
Violations & Fines
Working without the required state license or city permit violates Sec. 6-90, 6-126, and 6-128. Starting electrical work before a permit issues doubles the fee under Sec. 6-130(b). A license holder who fails to correct defective work after notice, or repeatedly violates this article, faces license suspension or revocation on the electrical board's recommendation under Sec. 6-139, and the board of electrical contractors may separately petition the state to suspend a license under Sec. 6-102.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waco
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