Applying for an Electrical Permit in Culver City, California

Electrical work in Culver City may require a permit from the City’s Building Safety Division. Permits are commonly required for service panels, subpanels, new or relocated wiring, lighting fixtures, temporary power, illuminated signs, solar installations and electrical connections for appliances or equipment.

Electrical permits may also be required as part of new construction, additions, remodels, accessory dwelling units, tenant improvements and commercial projects. Work should not begin until the required permit has been issued.

This guide explains how to prepare and submit an electrical permit application online or in person, determine whether plans are required and complete the review and inspection process.

Before Applying

A separate application is required for each structure and each permit record type, including:

• Building

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• Demolition

• Solar

Before submitting an application, gather the documents that apply to your project.

Possible documents and requirements include:

• Homeowners Association approval letter

• Grant deed for a recent change in ownership

• Asbestos declaration

• Agent authorization

• Plan Check Threshold information

• Residential submittal requirements

• Tenant Improvement or Commercial/Industrial Building requirements

• Backfill of pool and covenant

• Wireless facilities documents

• Instructions for a 10-day, 100-foot construction notice

• Instructions for a 30-day Notification of Intent to Excavate

• Owner Certification Form (OC-1R)

• Signage documents

• Window replacement documents

Not every document will apply to every project. Each project is unique, and additional requirements may apply.

Source: Electrical Permit Application

Document Formatting Guidelines

Documents submitted online must follow the Electronic Document Review formatting requirements.

Digital Files

• Submit plans in landscape orientation.

• Provide one PDF for each document.

• Export plans directly from the original file whenever possible rather than submitting scanned plans.

• Apply Optical Character Recognition so documents are text-searchable.

• Flatten PDFs into a single layer.

• Remove PDF security restrictions so plan-review markups can be added.

• Submit supporting documents, such as soils reports, structural calculations, and Title 24 energy documents, as separate PDF files.

• Use consistent bookmarks, indexes, and page labels.

• Name sheets using the first character of the discipline followed by the sheet number. For example, an architectural sheet may be named A1.0.

• Keep each PDF under 100 MB.

• Use consistent filenames for original, revised, and resubmitted documents.

• Leave a clear six-inch-wide space for the approval stamp, preferably within the title block.

Other supported document formats include:

• .XLS

• .XLSX

• .DOC

• .DOCX

• .JPG

• .JPEG

• .PDFA

• .PNG

Photos may be submitted as supporting materials but are not considered plans.

Source: Document Formatting Guidelines

Online Application

Create or Access a Permit Portal Account

To create an account:

1. Open the Culver City Permit Portal.

2. Select Create an Account.

3. Accept the terms and conditions.

4. Enter your name, email address, and contact information.

5. Create a username and secure password.

6. Open the verification email and select the confirmation link.

7. Return to the portal and log in.

Once logged in, you can apply for permits, check application status, review messages, and access other Building Safety services.

Submit the Electrical Application

1. Select the Building tab.

2. Choose Create an Application.

3. Accept the terms and select Continue Application.

4. Choose Electrical.

5. Enter the requested project and contact information.

6. Upload the required plans and supporting documents under the Documents tab.

7. Submit the application.

Address Search

For the best results, enter only the street number and select Search.

If one address is found, the system will automatically populate the address, parcel number, and owner information.

If several addresses appear, select the correct property.

If the parcel number or owner information has recently changed, select the Change of Ownership box and upload the grant deed.

After the application is submitted, a record number will appear under the My Records tab.

Sources: Create an Online Permit Portal Account; Electrical Permit Application

In-Person Application

Complete the Permit Application

Complete the application that matches the proposed scope of work, including:

• Electrical Permit Application

• Wireless Facilities Supplemental to Building Permit Application, when applicable

Include a current:

• Contact name

• Phone number

• Email address

Submit the Application

Drop off the completed application, plans, and supporting documents at the Building Safety Division counter at City Hall.

Bring:

• Four full-size plan sets for a Building application

• Two full-size plan sets for Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing applications

Source: Electrical Permit Application

Application Review and Fees

Building Safety staff will review the application for completeness and accuracy before plan check.

Complete Applications

If the application is complete, the applicant will be notified to pay the plan-check fees.

Once the fees are paid, the plans will be routed to the appropriate divisions for review.

Incomplete Applications

If the application is incomplete, staff will provide a list of missing items that must be submitted before the application can proceed.

Online applicants can generally expect an initial response within two to three business days. Messages and next steps will be sent by email and made available through the Culver City Permit Portal.

Source: Electrical Permit Application

Plan Check

Projects below the Plan Check Threshold may skip formal plan review.

Projects meeting or exceeding the thresholds require plan submission and review.

If the answer to any of the following questions is “Yes,” submit plans with the permit application:

• Is the work area 5,000 square feet or more?

• Will 50% or more of the fixtures be relocated or replaced?

• Does the project include new non-residential fixtures?

• Does the work require California energy compliance forms, such as lighting LT or electrical distribution ELC forms?

• Does the project include equipment or a service panel rated at 400 amps or greater?

• Is the project a new multi-unit residential building with more than four units?

• Does the project include a new or renovated commercial kitchen?

• Does the project include a telecommunications system?

• Is it a cannabis-related project?

• Does the project include equipment rated at 600 volts or more or a transformer rated at 112.5 kVA or more?

If all answers are “No,” the application may proceed without plan submission or review.

These thresholds are general guidelines. Some projects may still require plans based on their scope or complexity.

Plan-Check Processing

More than one plan-check round may be required.

Typical review times are:

• Approximately 20 business days for a standard review

• Approximately 10 business days for a qualified expedited review

For online applications, plan-check comments and responses are managed through the Culver City Permit Portal.

For in-person applications, staff will notify the applicant by email of plan-check comments or approval.

Sources: Plan Check Thresholds; Electrical Permit Application

Permit Issuance

Before the permit can be issued:

1. Verify that the City Business License and State Contractor License are active.

2. Pay the required permit fees.

3. Sign the permit.

Applicants will be notified by email when permit fees are due.

For online applications, the permit will be emailed to the contractor for signature. Once signed, the approved construction documents can be downloaded from the Culver City Permit Portal.

For in-person applications, the permit may be signed in person or by email. Once signed, the approved construction documents can be picked up at the Building Safety counter.

Source: Electrical Permit Application

Construction and Inspections

Construction must begin within one year of permit issuance.

After work begins:

• Schedule all required inspections.

• Complete the approved work.

• Pass the final inspection.

Project timelines vary. For additional information, review the Plan Check and Permit Extension requirements.

Sources: Electrical Permit Application; Building Safety Division

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Disclaimer

The information in this guide is adapted from Culver City’s government website and is provided only for general reference. Dates, links, codes, procedures, and documentation requirements may change. Verify the current requirements for your specific project before applying. Consult the Culver City Building Safety Division or other licensed professionals regarding project-specific questions about obtaining an electrical permit in Culver City.

For more information, visit Culver City’s government website.