When Do You Need An Electrical Permit?

Know the Regulations In Montana to Avoid Fines and Keep Your Property Safe From Electrical Hazards

There are a few small electrical projects around the home, such as replacing and outlet or light fixture, that can be performed by homeowners with an understanding of  wiring. However, when it comes to more advanced electrical projects it’s important to ensure you have all the required permits and to hire a licensed electrician when required by law.

A permit may not be required to replace some appliances or devices, or to perform maintenance on an existing electrical installation. But when making significant upgrades or adding new electrical components, a permit is usually required.

Dedicated Circuit InstallationHere are a few examples where you will need to hire an electrician and/or obtain an electrical permit.

• Installing or altering any permanent wiring or electrical device
• Adding new wiring
• Installing a new electrical outlet or light fixture
• Installation of a new electrical circuit
• Converting a fuse box to a circuit breaker
• Installing a transfer switch for a generator

If you are not sure if you need a permit for an electrical project, call Central Heating Plumbing Cooling Electric or your local building department. Some municipalities in Montana allow homeowners to pull their own permit, while others will require a licensed electrician obtain the permit.

Restrictions on Electrical Permits

If you are allowed to obtain a permit in your area, you will need to be both the owner and the occupant of the home to obtain a permit to do the electrical work yourself. You cannot perform any electrical installations or modifications on a residence intended for sale, lease, rent, or exchange. If you do not own or do not intend to live in the unit, a licensed electrician must perform the work.

When obtaining an electrical permit, the work must be inspected by a certified electrical inspector. A minimum of 24-hours’ notice is usually required for inspections. When you call, you will be asked for the permit number, the homeowner’s name, project address, and type of inspection needed. Be prepared to furnish detailed directions to the job site and a detailed description of the electrical work that will be performed.

What if electrical work is performed without a required permit?

There are many potential safety and legal consequences of performing electrical work without a permit or electrical training and certification. This may include fines and other penalties. If you sell a property with major un-permitted work, you will be required to fill out a legally binding property disclosure. If you don’t mention any un-permitted work, the buyer may later sue you for compensation.

If there is a fire leading to injury or property damage that is determined to have been caused by un-permitted work, you could be held financially responsible for any resulting costs.

Performing electrical work without a permit could also lead to your insurance company denying a claim if damage to your home is caused by electrical work that was performed without a permit or by someone who is not a licensed electrician.

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