Permit for NEMA 14-50 install?

[spaghetti]

While I am waiting for my MS to be built, I am trying to scope out the NEMA 14-50 install. One question that came to my mind is whether people are getting city permits prior to the install? Would appreciate some guidance. Thanks in advance.

 

[joshuaeven]

I had to get a permit for my install. I figure it's not something I wanted to go under-the-table with, as in the event of something HORRIBLE happening, I want to be covered.

 

[Discoducky]

No permit required in WA state; not sure about CA.

 

[Andrew]

In Santa Monica, CA: We put in a second panel + meter so we definitely had to get a permit. The good news was that $224 of the $225 fee was covered by a gov't program to encourage EV adoption. I think it was a state program, but it may be LA county or maybe even Santa Monica...not sure (the guy behind the counter wasn't clear where the money was coming from, and I didn't want to ask too many questions!).

 

[spatterso911]

Permit required in CA.

 

[spaghetti]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

 

[deonb]

No permit required in WA state; not sure about CA.

Only no permit if you do it yourself. If an electrician however does the work, they need a permit. I could do it myself, but figured $300 is worth paying to transfer any liability over to the electricians' insurance instead initially, and later be able to show the inspection report to mine if required.

I actually ended up knowing more than the electrician (Yes, you REALLY need a 50A breaker even though the charger says it draws 40A... for crying out loud, that's basic stuff ?? ), so I ended up supervising him, but I still sleep better at night knowing it was done "by the book".

 

[Discoducky]

Only no permit if you do it yourself. If an electrician however does the work, they need a permit. I could do it myself, but figured $300 is worth paying to transfer any liability over to the electricians' insurance instead initially, and later be able to show the inspection report to mine if required.

I actually ended up knowing more than the electrician (Yes, you REALLY need a 50A breaker even though the charger says it draws 40A... for crying out loud, that's basic stuff ?? ), so I ended up supervising him, but I still sleep better at night knowing it was done "by the book".

Parts were less than $35 and my quote was ~$800 with a ~$50 permit fee. Took me about 30 minutes to pop in the breaker, route the Romex wire and mount the box. Thanks to FlasherZ!

 

[deonb]

Parts were less than $35 and my quote was ~$800 with a ~$50 permit fee. Took me about 30 minutes to pop in the breaker, route the Romex wire and mount the box. Thanks to FlasherZ!

Weird difference. Mine was $125 for a permit + inspection, and $175 for the labor. (I supplied the parts).

 

[yobigd20]

Parts were less than $35 and my quote was ~$800 with a ~$50 permit fee. Took me about 30 minutes to pop in the breaker, route the Romex wire and mount the box. Thanks to FlasherZ!

Lucky you. I did the install myself. My parts costs $300. But then again, I had about 110ft run of 6/3 cable from box to garage. Buying 125ft of that is not cheap still cheaper than paying an electrician to do it and getting a permit

 

[dhrivnak]

No permit needed in Tennessee. I installed myself and it was $125 in parts the vast majority was the 35' of 4 wire #6. I did have to get a permit for the solar panels but at $20 I am not complaining.

 

[PhilBa]

No permit required in WA state; not sure about CA.

Actually, for Seattle and Shoreline (where I live), you technically need a permit but a licensed electrician will just do it for you. Try to stay away from Seattle City Light, they have a completely bureaucratic and inefficient approach. And, if you need to increase your service (say, by 100 Amps) it will take months and require around 6 visits before the work actually happens. Believe it or not, they are actually worse than Comcast for inefficiency.

Reminds of a variant on an old joke - Q: What is yellow, has 4 wheels and sleeps 6? A: A Seattle City Light truck.

Here's a link to the Seattle permit information http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Publications/CAM/cam132.pdf

 

[XrstalLens]

No permit required in WA state; not sure about CA.

Actually, WA state does require a permit if you're doing anything but swapping out an outlet or switch for the same kind:

(7) As required by chapter 19.28 RCW or this chapter, an electrical work permit is required for the installation, alteration, or maintenance of all electrical systems or equipment except for:

(a) Travel trailers;

(b) Class A basic electrical work which includes:

(i) The like-in-kind replacement of lamps; a single set of fuses; a single battery smaller than 150 amp hour; contactors, relays, timers, starters, circuit boards, or similar control components; one household appliance; circuit breakers; single-family residential luminaires; up to five snap switches, dimmers, receptacle outlets, thermostats, heating elements, luminaire ballasts with an exact same ballast; component(s) of electric signs, outline lighting, or skeleton neon tubing when replaced on-site by an appropriate electrical contractor and when the sign, outline lighting or skeleton neon tubing electrical system is not modified; one ten horsepower or smaller motor.

For the purposes of this section, "circuit breaker" means a circuit breaker that is used to provide overcurrent protection only for a branch circuit, as defined in NEC 100.

From http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-901

The Labor & Industries site also has a brochure that spells it out pretty clearly: http://www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/500-078-000.pdf. Any circuit alterations/additions requires a permit. It doesn't matter what city you're in. No city can make their standards less stringent than what L&I requires.

 

[mknox]

In Ontario, Canada a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority is required whether an electrician does it or you do it yourself. A recent amendment to the Ontario code requires a compulsory inspection for any wiring related to EV charging. On the positive side, there is a Provincial rebate of up to 50% of the costs to a maximum of $1,000 for the installation of any approved EVSE.

 

[FlasherZ]

The basic rule: check with the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction). In *most* places with permitting laws, permits are required when doing anything other than strict one-for-one replacement. Adding or extending a circuit generally requires a permit where permits are required.

If a permit is required, it is required whether you do the work yourself or if you call a licensed electrician.

You may need a permit but not require an inspection, as in my county. Or, as in the county to the east of mine, you may not need a permit.

In the US, call city hall (if incorporated) or the county zoning office (if not) to check.