Permit and Inspection Information

A valid Colorado State Electrical permit must be obtained prior to installing electrical wiring. All permits are valid for one year from the date the permit is issued.

A separate permit is required for each detached structure on the same property. Separate structures must be clearly indicated by name, letter or number if more than one structure exists on the same property. Example: garage, studio, barn; building A, B, C; Building 1, 2, 3, etc.

A homeowner or electrical contractor may obtain electrical permits online. Electrical permits for all state inspected areas, public schools, and state buildings are issued and inspected by the State Electrical Board. Please use our online permit system.

A homeowner may install electrical work at their residence and must obtain a permit with the State Electrical Board or the local building department prior to starting the electrical work.

A homeowner may do their own wiring if:

• The work is personally performed by the homeowner and the property is not for sale, resale, or rent and is not generally open to the public.
• All work is inspected prior to covering, i.e. insulation, drywall, etc. and again upon completion of the system prior to occupancy and permanent power release.
• All electrical work complies with the National Electrical Code.

Homeowners please review the Homeowner Guide.

An Electrical Contractor is required to obtain permits for the work done by the company. Work must not be done using a "homeowner" issued permit or permit issued to another company. Please see Electrical Contractor Information for information regarding the requirements to perform electrical contracting in the state of Colorado.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the adopted code used by the State of Colorado. Work performed must comply with the NEC requirements.

The Colorado State Electrical Board performs electrical inspections in locations throughout the state that are not inspected by a local authority. All public schools and state buildings are inspected by state electrical inspectors for all locations. 

• Inspectors
• Inspector Map
• Inspection Request Form

Re-inspection fee: If an inspection is marked ‘rejected’ by the inspector, you may be required to pay a re-inspection fee before another inspection will be made.

Trim permit: If the permit expires after the rough-in inspection has been approved, a trim permit must be obtained and the required fee paid.

Permit extension: Permits may be extended one time for a period of six. In order to receive an extension on your permit, you must notify the Denver office before the permit expires. You may contact the office at (303) 894-2300.

Request for a Code Variance: A variance to the code for a specific installation must be granted from the Board. Please completed and submit a variance request form to the Board for review.

Refund Policy
A refund may be allowed for a six-month period of the permit issue date as long as no inspections have been performed. The refund request may be submitted by email, fax, or mail to the Denver Office. The request must include:

1. The permit number.
2. Name of the permit applicant.
3. Type of payment (if paid by check, include a copy of both sides of the cancelled check). Check refunds may take up to 45 days to process.
4. Reason for the refund request (cancelled the job, property is not in the state’s jurisdiction, etc.)

An option to requesting a refund: An electrical contractor may transfer an existing permit from one job address to another job address; however, a transfer is not allowed between contractors or from a contractor to a homeowner. For permits that qualify for a transfer, make sure that:

1. The fee is the same amount, and
2. No inspection has been made.

To transfer the existing permit to another address, mark the appropriate changes to the existing permit. Mail or fax the corrections to this office at the address, fax number, or email listed below. The changes will be made and a corrected copy of the permit will be made available.

Please contact this office with any questions on the above policy and we will be happy to help you apply for a refund or transfer your permit.

The most efficient way to request an inspection is through the on-line permit system. Have the permit number and address at hand. Inspectors are responsible for setting their daily inspection schedule. Inspections should be requested no later than 3:00 p.m. the day before your inspection.

To contact your inspector refer to the Inspector list. Click here.

Important note: Please do not use your cellular phone to request an inspection. Cellular signals are not reliable, possibly resulting in an incomplete inspection request with delayed or no inspections.

Inspection Schedule* Now Available Online

• After you have requested an inspection, the inspector will normally schedule this inspection within three days.
• Once an inspection has been scheduled* you can access that information from your online account. View the specific permit (find the permit number on your account, and press the link to that permit). At the bottom of the permit page, you will see in ‘red’ a notice alerting you that the inspection has been scheduled* for that day.
• This information will be posted throughout the morning on the day of the scheduled* inspection, usually by 10 a.m.
• Make sure that the inspection site is available and the installation is accessible to the inspector from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
• Contact your inspector with updated driving directions, phone numbers, or access codes not provided on the permit. Do not fax this information the day of the inspection; your inspector may not be available to receive that information.
• To avoid a re-inspection fee make sure that:
  • The address number is visibly posted at the driveway entrance of the jobsite.
  • The job is ready for the inspection before you call to request an inspection.
• No additional information regarding the inspection schedule is available through the website or Board office.
• Inspections will not be performed on State-mandated furlough days or official holidays.

*Due to unforeseen delays, your inspector might not be able to complete the entire inspection schedule for that day. 

The following permit and installation guidelines are available on the Forms and Information Guides web page.