Electrical permits & safety in Alberta
What needs a permit, who can take one out, and the warning signs that mean you should call an electrician now.
When do you need an electrical permit?
In Alberta, installing, altering or adding to an electrical system in a home or business generally needs a permit under the Safety Codes Act. Jobs that need one include:
- New circuits and outlets
- Panel and service upgrades
- EV charger installations
- Basement developments and renovations
- Garage subpanels, hot tubs and new appliance circuits
Swapping a light fixture, switch or outlet for the same kind usually doesn’t need one, though rules can vary by municipality. If you’re not sure, ask and we’ll tell you before any work starts.
Who can take out the permit?
For contractor work, the permit has to come from someone holding an Alberta Master Electrician certificate and a business licence in that municipality.
- Eagle Electric Ltd. is a Certified Master Electrician business
- Licensed with the City of Airdrie and the City of Calgary
- We pull the permit for every job that needs one
Homeowners can get a homeowner permit only for work on a home they own and live in, not a rental. In Airdrie, homeowner-led electrical permits carry a $100 fee from January 2026 (hired contractors are exempt), and wiring for a secondary suite must be done by a licensed electrical contractor.
What happens at the inspection?
A safety codes officer checks the work against the Canadian Electrical Code as adopted in Alberta.
- Bigger jobs, like basement developments, may need a rough-in inspection before the drywall goes up
- We book the inspections and are there to deal with any questions
- If anything needs changing, we fix it and get it re-inspected
Why do electrical permits matter?
Permitted, inspected work protects you long after the job is done.
- Insurance: unpermitted work can complicate a claim
- Selling your home: buyers and inspectors ask about permits
- Safety: a second set of eyes on work that sits inside your walls for decades
Official sources
Permit rules and fees can change. Check the permit issuer for your address, or ask us.
City of Airdrie: Making changes to your home (permits)(opens in new tab)City of Airdrie: Secondary suite code requirements(opens in new tab)City of Calgary: Electrical permits(opens in new tab)Safety Codes Council (Alberta): Permits and inspections(opens in new tab)Warning signs: call an electrician
- A burning smell, or scorch marks on outlets or switches
- Outlets or switch plates that are warm or buzzing
- Breakers that trip repeatedly
- Lights that flicker or dim when appliances start
- A tingle or shock from a fixture or appliance
Have a question about your job?
Ask before you start. It costs nothing to check whether you need a permit.