York County, VA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Sec. 7.1-3(d) locally amends the National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, substituting 'County of York' wherever the code refers to the governmental jurisdiction, and defining the 'authority having jurisdiction' as the building code official or a designated representative, normally the electrical inspector. Sec. 7.1-8(d) then makes an electrical permit mandatory for electrical work and sets the fee schedule: a new residential dwelling unit is $130.00, rising by $20.00 for each additional 50 amperes or fraction of it above a 200-ampere service, while new commercial work starts at $160.00 with the same $20.00-per-50-amp escalation above 200 amperes.

Separate categories cover other jobs: increasing the size of an existing service is $90.00 (plus $30.00 per additional 50 amperes above 400 amperes), adding or altering fixtures or outlets in an existing building is $90.00, connecting or reconnecting service to a manufactured home or trailer is $90.00, and a temporary service connection is $90.00. Work not covered by any listed category is billed at 1% of the value of the work, with a $90.00 minimum. Sec. 7.1-8 also bars anyone from hiring or working as an electrician on a job unless the individual holds a state tradesman certification, or the contractor is a state-registered contractor employing a certified master electrician, subject to the certification exemptions in Va.

Code § 54.1-1131. A homeowner performing electrical work on their own single-family residence may do so without that certification, but must still obtain the required permit and pass inspection before the work is energized.