You will need an electrical permit to perform all electrical work unless you are:
- Replacing defective fuses, receptacles, switches, or bulbs with units of similar type and rating
- Making minor alterations, repairs, or additions to an installation covered by an existing annual electrical permit
Not sure if you need a permit?
Please contact the Development and Building Services Centre.
Need an annual (operating) permit? If your building has a service rated more than 500 KVA, you will need an annual (operating) permit. An annual permit authorizes the building's owner to maintain all existing operating electrical equipment. It also permits the building's owner to carry out minor electrical work. Review our annual electrical permit brochure PDF file (125 KB)
Permit for filming? All filming work in Vancouver requires an electrical permit, whether filming is done in studio or on location.
New electronic applications
Our new electronic applications allows you to submit permit applications electronically and perform other functions digitally. Currently, some permits can be submitted online and may include the payment of fees. We’re working on adding more permits online over time. Refer to your specific permit's steps for more information.
Learn more about submitting your permit application electronically
New Electric Load Installation (NELI) form
To expedite electrical permit reviews and enhance permit application submissions, the New Electrical Load Installation form (NELI) must be provided to our staff for existing multi-unit buildings, of 5 or more units, pursuant to the following:
- Electrification of existing fuel combustion space heating and domestic hot water systems
- New electric heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems (HVAC)
- New electric vehicle charging systems
- Installation of new or modification of other electrical loads (in excess of 3000 watts within unit)
The NELI is not required when reducing net loads, such as removing baseboard heaters and switching to heat pumps, provided the net load is reduced.
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Steps to getting an electrical permit
Review the latest permit processing times
If your project requires a building permit, an electrical permit will not be issued until after your building permit has been issued. Permit processing times as of June 1, 2026
Permit processing times will depend on the completeness of your application, how long it takes you to respond to our questions, and volume of instream applications to be processed.
| Type of permit |
Target We aim to issue 95% of permit applications in: |
Current In the last 3 months, we achieved our target for these percentage of applications: |
|---|---|---|
| Simple electrical permits | 5 business days | 96% |
| Other electrical permits requiring plan review | 25 business days | 94% |
Contact the Development and Building Services Centre
Location and mailing address
Development and Building Centre
515 West 10th Avenue, Ground Floor
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
Opening hours for in-person payments and scheduled appointments
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
Closed holidays