Permits guide
Electrical Permits in Kelowna: What You Need to Know
This guide explains how electrical permits work for homes and businesses in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country. It is general information based on Technical Safety BC (TSBC) and the BC Electrical Safety Regulation. It is not legal advice. Confirm your situation with TSBC or a licensed electrical contractor.
Who issues permits
Who issues electrical permits in Kelowna?
Technical Safety BC issues electrical installation permits in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country. TSBC lists the City of Kelowna as delegated for gas only, so electrical permits and assessments in Kelowna go through TSBC, not the City. City of Kelowna building inspections are separate and are booked through the City.
When you need one
When is an electrical permit required?
Under the Electrical Safety Regulation, a permit is required when electrical work is performed on electrical equipment, and for any electrical work that needs the utility to attend to connect or reconnect a service. TSBC gives examples where a homeowner permit is often required:
- Replacing light fixtures or ceiling fans
- Installing solar equipment
- Installing or moving light switches or outlets
- Connecting permanently installed equipment such as a dishwasher, over-range microwave or hood, security camera or heat pump
Replacing existing switches, receptacles or thermostats does not need a permit when a licensed contractor does it.
Your options
Do I have to hire a licensed electrical contractor?
Sometimes you can do the work yourself. A homeowner permit is only available to the registered owner of a fully detached dwelling who lives there as their permanent residence. You must hire a licensed contractor if you own a strata unit or a non-strata duplex, if you operate a business from your home, or if the property is a place of business. Homeowner work must be inspected, and homeowners may not work on exposed energized equipment.
Hiring
Hiring a licensed contractor
What happens when you hire a licensed contractor?
Your contractor applies for the permit on your behalf. A field safety representative (FSR) is named on every electrical permit application. The FSR declares compliance after each phase of work and at least once in every 180 days, and TSBC decides whether to accept the declaration or arrange a remote or physical inspection. Check that a permit is in place before work begins. TSBC has a permit search tool you can use with your address.
How do I check an electrician's licence?
Ask for the contractor's TSBC licence number and look it up in the TSBC contractor registry.
EV chargers
A permit is required for most EV charger installations in BC. See EV charger installation in Kelowna.
Need an electrician?
Need an electrician?
Edge Electric Ltd serves Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country. See our residential and commercial electrical services.
Sources
- Technical Safety BC: Homeowner Electrical Permits, Electrical Installation Permits, Electrical Assessments, EV Charger Installation, Jurisdiction (technicalsafetybc.ca)
- BC Electrical Safety Regulation (bclaws.gov.bc.ca)
- City of Kelowna: Permit inspections (kelowna.ca)
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who issues electrical permits in Kelowna?
Technical Safety BC issues electrical installation permits in Kelowna. The City of Kelowna is delegated gas permits only.
Can a homeowner get an electrical permit in BC?
Yes, if they are the registered owner of a fully detached dwelling and live there as their permanent residence. Owners of strata units and non-strata duplexes, and people operating a business from their home, must hire a licensed contractor.
Who applies for the permit if I hire an electrician?
If you hire a licensed contractor, the contractor applies for the permit on your behalf. Check that a permit is in place before work begins.
How do I check that an electrician is licensed in BC?
Ask for their Technical Safety BC licence number and search the TSBC contractor registry.
Is a permit needed to replace a light switch?
Replacing existing switches, receptacles or thermostats does not need a permit when a licensed contractor does the work. Installing or moving switches or outlets does.
Get a quote from Edge Electric
Call (250) 808-5747 or send us your project details. Tell us what you need done, where the property is (Kelowna, West Kelowna or Lake Country) and whether it is a home or a business.