Electrical Permit

An electrical permit is required for the following work in the City of Pittsburgh.

  • Renovate and repair existing electrical systems.
  • Extend or modify an existing electrical system.
  • Installation of a new electrical system.

Work on single and two-family homes and structures accessory to them requires a Residential permit, while all other work requires a Commercial permit.

Please see the Permits page for the permitting process and further definition of structure and work types, as well as distinctions between, and exceptions to, the Residential and Commercial designations.

Please see Work Not Requiring A Permit for work that can be performed without a PLI permit.

Please visit our Contacts page for the Construction Inspector's contact information.

 

Residential Electrical Work Scopes

New Construction Work Scopes

The new construction work type applies to the installation of systems in a new house. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes:

  • Service, Power, and Lighting - 400 A or less: installation of service rated 400 amperes or less, distribution system, power, and lighting. Installation of an exterior generator is not permitted under this work scope.
  • Service, Power, and Lighting - over 400 A: installation of service rated over 400 amperes, distribution system, power, and lighting. Installation of an exterior generator is not permitted under this work scope. (Requires the submission of stamped drawings.)
  • Generator - Exterior: installation of an exterior generator.
  • Ground Mounted Solar PV Array: installation of a PV array that is mounted on the ground and/or not on the roof of a building.
  • Roof Mounted Solar PV Array: installation of a PV array that is mounted on the roof of a building. Installation is limited to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy.
  • Swimming Pool: installation of grounding and bonding systems for a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
  • Temporary Utility Service/Generator: installation of a temporary utility service and/or generator associated with the construction of the building.

Addition / Alteration Work Scopes

The addition/alteration work type applies to the alteration of existing systems or installation of new systems in an existing house. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes:

  • Power and Lighting: installation or modification of power devices, distribution system, and/or lighting. Installation of an exterior generator is not permitted under this work scope.
  • Service - 400 A or less: installation or modification of service rated 400 amperes or less. Installation of an exterior generator is not permitted under this work scope.
  • Service - over 400 A: installation or modification of service rated over 400 amperes. Installation of an exterior generator is not permitted under this work scope. (Requires the submission of stamped drawings.)
  • Equipment – Exterior: installation or modification of an exterior generator.
  • Ground Mounted Solar PV Array: installation or modification of a PV array that is mounted on the ground and/or not on the roof of a building.
  • Roof Mounted Solar PV Array: installation or modification of a PV array that is mounted on the roof of a building. Installation is limited to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy.
  • Service Reconnect In-Kind: reconnection of an existing previously approved electrical service in-kind (same location, phase, amperage, and service equipment).
  • Swimming Pool: installation or modification of grounding and bonding systems for a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
  • Temporary Utility Service/Generator: installation of a temporary utility service and/or generator associated with the construction of the building.

Minor Alteration Work Types

The minor alteration work type applies to the alteration of existing systems in an existing house. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes:

  • Replacement of devices (in kind): replacement of existing power devices in kind (same location and ampere rating).
  • Replacement of fixtures (in kind): replacement of existing light fixtures in kind (same location and ampere rating).

Commercial Electrical Work Scopes

New Construction Work Scopes

The new construction work type applies to the installation of systems in a new building and requires the submission of stamped drawings. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes:

  • Service, Distribution System, Power, and Lighting: installation of service, distribution system, power, and lighting. Installation of an exterior generator and/or transformer is not permitted under this work scope.
  • Equipment – Exterior: installation of an exterior generator and/or transformer.
  • Low Voltage System (50v Or Less): installation of any low voltage system that operates at 50V or less.
  • Communication Antenna System: installation of a communication antenna system with exterior equipment.
  • Ground Mounted Solar PV Array: installation of a PV array that is mounted on the ground and/or not on the roof of a building.
  • Roof Mounted Solar PV Array: installation of a PV array that is mounted on the roof of a building. Installation is limited to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy.
  • Phased Work - Core And Shell: installation of systems associated with a phased building permit with a core and shell work scope. Work associated with the fit-out is not permitted. Selected in addition to one or more other work scopes.
  • Phased Work - Fit-Out: installation of systems associated with a phased building permit with fit-out work scope. Work associated with the core and shell is not permitted. Selected in addition to one or more other work scopes.
  • Sign Electric Work: installation of power for signs.
  • Swimming Pool: installation of grounding and bonding systems for a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
  • Temporary Utility Service/Generator: installation of a temporary utility service and/or generator associated with the construction of the building.

Addition / Alteration Work Scopes

The addition/alteration work type applies to the alteration of existing systems or installation of new systems in an existing building and requires the submission of stamped drawings. This work type excludes the work associated with the first fit-out of tenant space in a new building. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes:

  • Power: installation or modification of power devices.
  • Lighting: installation or modification of lighting system.
  • Service and/or Distribution System: installation or modification of service and distribution system. Installation of an exterior generator and/or transformer is not permitted under this work scope.
  • Service Reconnect In-Kind: reconnection of an existing previously approved electrical service in-kind (same location, phase, amperage, and service equipment).
  • Equipment – Exterior: installation of an exterior generator and/or transformer.
  • Low Voltage System (50v Or Less): installation of any low voltage system that operates at 50V or less.
  • Communication Antenna System: installation of a communication antenna system with exterior equipment.
  • Ground Mounted Solar PV Array: installation of a PV array that is mounted on the ground and/or not on the roof of a building.
  • Roof Mounted Solar PV Array: installation of a PV array that is mounted on the roof of a building. Installation is limited to buildings with a valid certificate of occupancy.
  • Phased Work - Core And Shell: installation of systems associated with a phased building permit with a core and shell work scope. Work associated with the fit-out is not permitted. Selected in addition to one or more other work scopes.
  • Phased Work - Fit-Out: installation of systems associated with a phased building permit with fit-out work scope. Work associated with the core and shell is not permitted. Selected in addition to one or more other work scopes.
  • Sign Electric Work: installation of power for signs.
  • Swimming Pool: installation of grounding and bonding systems for a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
  • Temporary Utility Service/Generator: installation of a temporary utility service and/or generator associated with the construction of the building.
  • Emergency Work – Service: replacement of electrical service or equipment condemned by PLI and/or required to maintain safe occupancy of an occupied building. A permit limited to this work scope has an SLA of 7 business days.
  • Emergency Work – Other: replacement of electrical equipment condemned by PLI and/or required to maintain safe occupancy of an occupied building. A permit limited to this work scope has an SLA of 7 business days.
  • Removal of System/Equipment: removal of a system and/or equipment that is not replaced.

Minor Alteration Work Types

The minor alteration work type applies to the alteration of existing systems in an existing building with a valid certificate of occupancy. The applicant shall identify one or more of the following work scopes:

  • Service Reconnect In-Kind: reconnection of an existing previously approved electrical service in-kind (same location, phase, amperage, and service equipment).
  • Low Voltage System (50v Or Less): installation of any low voltage system that operates at 50V or less.
  • Work on Existing Lighting Circuits: modification of branch circuit wiring, lighting controls and wiring, and light fixtures (luminaries), if the overcurrent protection is not modified.
  • Work on Existing Power Circuits: modification of branch circuit wiring and power devices, if the overcurrent protection is not modified.
  • Sign Electric Work: installation of power for signs.
  • Single Branch Circuit (max 30A): installation of a single branch circuit with a maximum amperage of 30 that serves lighting and/or power devices and does not exceed the capacity of the panelboard
  • Temporary Utility Service/Generator: installation of a temporary utility service and/or generator associated with the construction of the building or a PLPLI-approved temporary event and/or structure.

 

Third Party Agency Inspections

Inspections on commercial electrical permits are handled by Third Party Agencies (TPAs) in the City of Pittsburgh - view more information on the program here.

Please complete and upload a copy of the TPA Inspector Permit Assignment Form to all commercial electrical permits before submission.

 

Other Agency Involvement

Some external work scopes may require review by the Zoning or Fire Departments.  Work in a health care facility may require review by the state Dept. of Health. Development of property in a regulated floodplain requires an additional Floodplain Permit.

last updated: 08/06/2026

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