Getting an Electrical Permit in the City of Santa Monica, California
Electrical work in Santa Monica may require a building permit, plan review and inspections before the project can be completed. The exact process depends on the property type, the electrical system involved and whether the proposed work exceeds the City’s electrical plan-review thresholds.
Minor electrical projects may follow either a Same-Day review process or a Medium Plan Review process, depending on whether the proposed work falls within the City’s electrical plan-review thresholds.
Understanding these review paths before submitting an application can help contractors, property owners and authorized agents avoid delays, select the correct application and prepare the required plans and documentation. This guide reviews the electrical permit application types, review categories, processing timelines and special requirements identified by the City of Santa Monica.
When Is an Electrical Permit Required?
A building permit authorizes construction, alteration, demolition or repair work covered by the permit. Before a permit can be issued, reviews and approvals must be completed.
The amount of plan review required depends on the project’s scope. Work authorized by a building permit must also receive the required inspection clearances before the project can obtain final approval.
Electrical projects may include work involving:
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Electrical services and panelboards
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Switchboards and subpanels
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Feeders and electrical equipment
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Lighting systems
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Transformers
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Emergency and standby power
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Solar photovoltaic systems
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Energy storage systems
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Electric vehicle charging equipment
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Other electrical installations or alterations
The permit application should provide a complete description of the work, including the type and location of equipment or fixtures being installed.
Sources: Building Permits and Plan Review; Electrical Plan-Review Thresholds (PDF); Single-Trade Building Permit Application (PDF)
Electrical Permit Review Paths
The City of Santa Monica identifies two principal review paths:
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Same-Day Review for work within the applicable thresholds
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Medium Plan Review for work that exceeds the thresholds or otherwise requires formal review
The appropriate application is generally either a Single-Trade Building Permit Application or an Electronic Plan Review Application.
Same-Day Electrical Permit Review
Electrical projects within Santa Monica’s plan-review thresholds may qualify for Same-Day Review.
A Single-Trade Building Permit Application is generally used for a minor project involving only one trade, such as electrical work. The City limits this application to projects eligible for Same-Day or Minor Plan Review.
“Same-Day” describes the review category and does not guarantee that every permit will be issued immediately. Incomplete documents, additional approvals or questions about the scope of work can extend the process.
More Than One Construction Trade
A project involving electrical work together with another construction trade may require a Combination Building Permit Application rather than a Single-Trade application.
The Combination Building Permit Application applies to qualifying projects involving more than one trade that remain eligible for Same-Day or Minor Plan Review. One building permit is then issued for the overall project.
Formal Electrical Plan Review
Projects that exceed Santa Monica’s electrical thresholds must be submitted for formal review through the City’s Electronic Plan Review system.
Formal review submissions must include the associated application, appropriate drawings, details, calculations and payment of fees. Final plans must carry the required professional seal and signature, as applicable to the project. The electrical plans must also coordinate with architectural, fire, planning and other related project drawings.
For electrical projects identified as Medium Plan Review, the reviewers are listed in the following order:
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City Planning
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Building & Safety
The estimated initial review period is three weeks and two weeks for subsequent reviews. However, the actual reviews may take longer than estimated.
Sources: Electrical Project Guide; Building Permit Application Types; Same-Day Review Instructions; Electronic Plan Review Instructions; Plan Review Types and Timelines
Electrical Plan-Review Thresholds
The City’s electrical thresholds determine whether formal plan review is required. Applicants should review the complete scope of work rather than evaluating only the size of the service or panel.
Unlisted, repurposed or complex electrical systems may require formal review when determined necessary by the Building Officer.
Single-Family Residential Electrical Thresholds
Formal review is required when a single-family residential project includes:
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Electrical services or panelboards exceeding 400 amperes
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Solar photovoltaic systems greater than 15 kilowatts
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Energy storage systems combined with photovoltaic systems of any size
Projects remaining below these thresholds may qualify for the Same-Day process, provided there are no other conditions requiring formal review.
Multi-Family Residential Electrical Thresholds
For multi-family residential properties, formal plan review is required for:
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Unit panels of any size
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Electrical services of any size
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Switchboards of any size
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Multi-meter panels of any size
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Solar photovoltaic systems greater than 15 kilowatts
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Energy storage systems combined with photovoltaic systems of any size
Because panels and services of any size fall within the multi-family threshold, electrical work that might qualify for Same-Day Review at a single-family property may require formal review at an apartment or other multi-family building.
Nonresidential Electrical Thresholds
Nonresidential projects require formal plan review when they include:
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Electrical services, switchboards or subpanels rated at 400 amperes or more
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Motor control centers, equipment or feeders rated at 400 amperes or more
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Transformers rated at 112.5 kVA or more
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Equipment operating at more than 600 volts
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Lighting installations covering more than 1,000 square feet
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Solar photovoltaic systems of any size
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Energy storage systems
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Wind-powered generating systems
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Electrical systems in hazardous locations
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Emergency power systems
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Legally required standby systems
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Critical operations power systems
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Electrical work associated with licensed OSHPD-3 clinics
Examples of critical or standby equipment may include generators, storage batteries and uninterruptible power supply systems.
Sources: Electrical Plan-Review Thresholds (PDF); Electrical Project Guide
Selecting the Correct Application
The application should match both the number of trades involved and the required level of review.
Single-Trade Building Permit Application
Use this application for a qualifying minor project involving only electrical work and eligible for Same-Day or Minor Plan Review.
Combination Building Permit Application
Use this application when the qualifying project involves electrical work and at least one additional construction trade, provided the overall project remains eligible for Same-Day or Minor Plan Review.
Electronic Plan Review Application
Use the Electronic Plan Review Application and its supplemental packet when the project requires formal Medium, Major or Single-Family Residential Plan Review.
Sources: Building Permit Application Types; Electrical Project Guide; Single-Trade Building Permit Application (PDF); Combination Building Permit Application (PDF); Electronic Plan Review Application Packet (PDF)
EV Charger Projects
Santa Monica provides a dedicated EV Charger Permit Application and Eligibility Worksheet for electric vehicle charging station installations.
An upgrade to the existing electrical system performed as part of the charger installation requires a separate building permit. Applicants should therefore distinguish the charger installation from any associated panel, service or electrical-system upgrade.
Sources: EV Charger Project Guide; EV Charger Permit Application (PDF); Building Permit Application Types
Solar Photovoltaic Projects
The City also provides a specialized application for qualifying solar installations on one- and two-family dwellings. Electrical-system upgrades associated with a solar installation require a separate building permit. Larger systems and work at multi-family properties may require an Electronic Plan Review Application.
Sources: Solar Photovoltaic Project Guide - 15kW or Less; Solar Photovoltaic Project Guide - Larger, Multi-Family and Commercial Systems; Building Permit Application Types; Solar Photovoltaic Application Packet (PDF)
Preparing the Electrical Permit Application
Applicants should prepare a clear and complete project description. The Single-Trade application requests information including:
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Property address
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Applicant and property-owner information
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Contractor information
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Santa Monica business-license number
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California contractor-license number and classification
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Property and occupancy type
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Trade type
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Project valuation
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Detailed description of the proposed work
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Number, type and location of fixtures or equipment
For condominium projects, the applicant should acknowledge any required homeowners’ association approval and notification.
Source: Single-Trade Building Permit Application (PDF)
Electronic Submission Requirements
Santa Monica’s building-permit process is paperless. Permit applications and project documents must be uploaded electronically before an applicant visits the Permit Services Center.
For a Same-Day project, the general process includes:
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Preparing the permit application and project documents
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Creating the application through Citizen Access
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Uploading the documents through ProjectDox
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Completing the Same-Day review process with City staff
Projects that do not qualify for Same-Day Review, or that exceed the mechanical, electrical or plumbing thresholds, must use the formal Electronic Plan Review process. The EPR system allows applications, plans and supporting documentation to be submitted online.
Sources: Permit Services Center; Same-Day Review Instructions; Electronic Plan Review Instructions
Projects in Tenant-Occupied Residential Buildings
Electrical work in a tenant-occupied residential building may trigger additional tenant-protection requirements.
Santa Monica’s Means and Methods Plan instructions require a plan when applying for a building permit at a residential tenant-occupied building. The required version and tenant-notification process depend on the project’s review level.
Same-Day Projects
A project qualifying for Same-Day Review requires a Basic Means and Methods Plan.
The approved plan must be provided to affected tenants within five days after permit issuance. Except for identified emergencies or relocation circumstances, work cannot begin until at least 24 hours after the affected tenants receive the approved plan.
Medium or Major Plan Review Projects
Medium and Major Plan Review projects require both:
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A Basic Means and Methods Plan
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A Supplemental Means and Methods Plan
The approved plans must be provided to affected tenants before the building permit is issued. Proof of delivery must also be submitted to the City’s Building & Safety Division.
A separate relocation plan is required when construction conditions require tenants to be temporarily relocated.
Sources: Means and Methods Plan Requirements; Electrical Project Guide
Who Can Obtain the Building Permit?
After the required reviews and approvals are complete and the application reaches “Ready to Issue” status, the permit may generally be issued to:
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A licensed contractor
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An authorized agent
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A residential property owner under qualifying circumstances
Applicants acting as Owner-Builders should review the City’s owner-builder requirements and potential responsibilities before obtaining the permit.
Documents Required at Permit Issuance
Depending on the applicant’s role, Santa Monica may require:
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Valid identification
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Payment of outstanding permit fees
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Proof of property ownership
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Authorization to act for the contractor or property owner
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Evidence of a valid City of Santa Monica business license
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Proof of a current California contractor license and classification
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Proof of workers’ compensation insurance
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A completed Owner-Builder Acknowledgment and Verification Form
Permit issuance may be completed in person or through the City’s Virtual Permit Issuance service once the project has received all required approvals.
Sources: How to Get a Building Permit; Who Can Pull a Building Permit? (PDF); Owner-Builder Information Packet (PDF)
Electrical Inspections
Receiving the permit is not the final step. Work performed under an issued building permit must be inspected at the required stages.
Santa Monica requires development projects with valid building permits to receive inspections so they can verify that construction follows the approved plans and minimum code requirements.
Inspections may be scheduled through Santa Monica’s online inspection system by entering:
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The building-permit number
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The property’s street number
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The requested inspection type
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The desired inspection date
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Contact information
All required inspection clearances must be obtained before requesting final approval.
Sources: How to Schedule a Building Permit Inspection; Online Inspection Scheduling System; Building Permits and Plan Review
Permit Application Expiration
For most projects, a Santa Monica building-permit application remains valid for one year from the date the City receives a complete application and payment of fees.
Santa Monica may grant one six-month extension after reviewing evidence that the project remains unchanged, applicable laws and approvals remain valid, and circumstances beyond the applicant’s control prevented the permit from being issued during the original period.
Source: Building Permits and Plan Review - FAQ
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Disclaimer
The information in this guide is adapted from the City of Santa Monica’s official government website and is provided only for general reference. Permit procedures, review requirements, fees, timelines, forms, codes, and online links are subject to change at Santa Monica’’s discretion. Applicants should verify that all requirements and government resources are current for their specific project.
Please consult the City of Santa Monica’s Building & Safety Division or other appropriately licensed professionals regarding project-specific questions about obtaining an electrical permit in Santa Monica.
For more information, visit the City of Santa Monica’s government website.
