An Electrical Permit is required for all electrical work within a building — including power supply, lighting, outlets, electrical panels, and emergency power systems. It applies to new commercial construction as well as Tenant Improvement (TI) projects. The Electrical Permit is applied for by the electrical contractor and tied to the Building Permit.
Note: In cases where the electrical system capacity is being increased or new equipment is being connected, the permit may be applied for independently, without a Building Permit.
Issuing Authority
Unlike the Mechanical Permit or Plumbing Permit, the Electrical Permit is not issued by the Building Department. It is issued by Technical Safety BC (TSBC) — an independent authority responsible for electrical, gas, boiler, and elevator safety across BC.
For commercial projects, an Electrical Engineer (P.Eng) acts as the Engineer of Record (EoR), stamping the design drawings and submitting Schedule B (Electrical). Since the electrical contractor must apply for the permit with TSBC before starting work, GCs must always confirm with their electrical contractor that the permit application has been submitted.
Required Submission Documents
- Electrical Drawings — Must be stamped by an Electrical Engineer (P.Eng)
- Load Calculation
- Panel Schedule
- Schedule B (Electrical) — Submitted as part of the Building Permit Letters of Assurance
- Permit application form and fees
Key Inspections
① Rough-in Inspection
Requested after wiring and conduit work is complete — before concrete is poured or work is concealed behind ceilings or walls, and prior to drywall or suspended ceiling installation.
At this stage, the TSBC inspector verifies:
- Conduit size, routing, and securing
- Wire gauge and colour code compliance
- Junction box locations and accessibility
- Fire stop treatment at fire-rated assembly penetrations
② Final Inspection
Requested once all electrical work is complete and fixtures and devices are installed. The following must be completed before Final Inspection:
- Panel wiring complete and properly labelled
- Emergency lighting and exit signs operational
- GFCI/AFCI installation confirmed (where required)
- Fire Alarm Verification Report
- Electrical Engineer’s Field Review Report and Schedule C-B (Electrical)
Once the TSBC inspection is passed, a Certificate of Inspection is issued — this document is mandatory for obtaining the Occupancy Permit.
⚠️ GC Note: Because the Electrical Permit falls under TSBC jurisdiction, it is a TSBC inspector — not a Building Department inspector — who visits the site. Inspection schedules for both authorities must be managed separately. Applying for an Occupancy Permit without the Certificate of Inspection will result in rejection.
What Are the Schedules?
The Electrical Permit follows the same BC Letters of Assurance system as the Mechanical and Plumbing Permits. Refer to the Mechanical Permit post for a full breakdown.
| Schedule | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Schedule B | Confirms electrical design was performed by a registered P.Eng — submitted at permit application |
| Schedule C-B | Confirms Electrical Engineer’s Field Review is complete — required before Final Inspection |
| Schedule C-A | Issued by Coordinating Registered Professional after all reviews are complete — prerequisite for Occupancy Permit |
Closing Thoughts
The biggest distinction with the Electrical Permit is that TSBC — not the Building Department — has jurisdiction. GCs need to manage inspection schedules and Schedule acquisition for both authorities simultaneously. The TSBC Certificate of Inspection is a mandatory document for the Occupancy Permit, so it must be tracked carefully at project closeout.
Previous Post: BC Plumbing Permit Guide for General Contractors