When to pull a permit

[mark32]

Hello, I should have my contractor's license by the end of the year and I'm curious as to what work demands a permit. I realize this may vary from county to county and state to state. I checked my county's website but all that I could come up with was service related work (Service upgrade, move a service, transfer switches). Generally, when do you guys pull a permit?

 

[tshea]

Re: When to pull a permit

Call your AHJ. Introduce yourself. Tell him/her you are going to be working in his/her area and you would like to know when you should pull a permit and if there is anything else that would be beneficial to your relationship.

 

[jeff43222]

Re: When to pull a permit

Calling the AHJ is a good idea, but if you work in a large metro area like I do, the AHJ winds up being a whole multitude of different people. If I have questions of this nature and I call the AHJ, they usually tell me to call the inspector who is assigned to the area where the work will be performed.

If you're lucky, there is a state law that covers this. My state says that everything but "minor repair work" requires a permit. They define "minor" as things like swapping out a bad receptacle or switch. Where it gets interesting is when cities have their own ordinances requiring things the state doesn't. Some cities here say everything requires a permit, while other cities don't even have an inspections department, so the state does the inspections. It gets a little confusing keeping all the AHJs and their different procedures straight.

I pull a permit whenever the law says I have to, which means I pull a permit for just about every job I do. If something goes wrong, you'll be a much bigger target for the authorities to make an example out of if they find out you didn't pull a permit when you were supposed to.

[ October 19, 2005, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]

 

[aline]

Re: When to pull a permit

I went to the city offices hoping to get something in writing describing when a permit was required. The receptionist said they didn't have anything so I asked her when a permit would be required. She said only when the power company needed to be involved with shutting off the power.
I asked to speak with the city inspector.

Me: When is it required to pull a permit?

Inspector: Anytime you are doing electrical work.

Me: So if a customer has a light fixture they want changed out with a new one I need to pull a permit?

Inspector: No not for something minor like that. Just for major work like installing a new panel or something.

I talked with him for awhile about other cases where I may or may not need to pull a permit. After I left it was still not very clear to me when a permit was required. I would think they would have something in writing that would specify when permits are required.

 

[mark32]

Re: When to pull a permit

Thank you all for the advice. aline, I'm glad you shared your story, I thought I was an idiot because I didn't know when a permit was needed, aside from the obvious. One would think a detailed list would be available or even mailed out to all electricians licensed in the county. I guess some states and counties are more organized than others. Thanks again.