Electrical Permit in Arvada, Colorado
Required for residential and commercial electrical work in Arvada. The City of Arvada Building Division issues the electrical permit and performs plan review and inspections directly — it does NOT defer permit issuance to the Colorado State Electrical Board. However, a State of Colorado electrical contractor license (issued by the State Electrical Board under C.R.S. Title 12, Article 23) is a prerequisite: Arvada's Building Inspection Policy requires a State-licensed electrical contractor of record to be listed on the permit before it can be issued, and City inspectors verify State license status on every job site.
Verified 2026-06-30 · Source
When you need this permit
- Homeowner-occupants may obtain the permit themselves for their own residence; all other electrical work requires a State of Colorado-licensed electrical contractor listed as contractor of record on the permit
- A single line diagram is required with the application for homeowner-completed projects
- Panel ratings over 200 amps require an engineered, signed and stamped set of plans
- Commercial structures require an engineered, signed and stamped set of plans
- New utility meter or telephone cabinet installations require a site plan locating the new installation
- If electrical work is part of a larger project (mechanical appliance install, remodel, new construction), it is covered by that project's combination permit rather than a stand-alone electrical permit
- Per City policy implementing C.R.S. 12-23-116, the Building Division verifies the electrical contractor's State contractor license AND master electrician license are current before permit issuance, and City inspectors may verify on-site worker licensure at every inspection
Required documents
- Req
Electrical Permit Application (eTRAKiT)
Online application via arvadapermits.org; homeowners may also submit by email to the Building Permits Division
- Opt
Single Line Diagram
Required for homeowner-completed projects
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Replace or New Service | $54.00 plus Use Tax | City of Arvada Electrical permit fee page, current published flat fee |
| Residential Construction Meter | $54.00 plus Use Tax | — |
| Residential Meter Housing (replacement) | $50.00 plus Use Tax | — |
| Residential New Wiring Circuit | Building Permit Fee (Table 18-1, valuation-based) plus Use Tax | — |
| Commercial (all subtypes) | Building Permit Fee (Table 18-1, valuation-based) plus Use Tax | — |
| Residential Electrical Service Change (flat-rate table) | $60.00 | Table 18-5, Residential Flat-Rate Permit Fees |
| Temporary Electric / Construction Power | $60.00 | Table 18-3, Miscellaneous Permits and Fees |
Review timeline
0–3 business days
Arvada’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Rough Electrical
Wiring and conduit installed before walls closed (New Wiring Circuit permits)
- 2
Electrical Service / CL
For service replacement/new service and meter housing permits
- 3
Final Electrical
All devices installed, panel labeled, system energized
Tips
- The City of Arvada Building Division — not the Colorado State Electrical Board — issues and inspects electrical permits for work inside Arvada. The State Electrical Board licenses the individual electrical contractors and master electricians (per C.R.S. Title 12, Article 23); Arvada's Building Inspection Policy on Contemporaneous Review of State-Issued Electrical Licenses requires the City to verify that license is current before issuing any permit and authorizes City inspectors to verify licensure on-site.
- Homeowner-occupants can pull their own electrical permit for their own residence without a contractor license.
- Panel ratings over 200 amps and all commercial electrical work require engineered, stamped plans and go through a 3-business-day technical review; panels under 200 amps are typically reviewed within 1 business day.
- If your inspector finds electrical work on-site that wasn't included on the permit (other than a simple disconnect/reconnect), the inspection will fail and a double fee is assessed for the unpermitted work — make sure all electrical scope is listed on the permit before inspection.
Frequently asked questions
- Who issues electrical permits in Arvada — the city or the State of Colorado?
- The City of Arvada Building Safety Division issues and inspects electrical permits for all work within Arvada. The Colorado State Electrical Board licenses individual electrical contractors and master electricians (C.R.S. Title 12, Article 23) as a prerequisite, but does not itself issue Arvada's electrical building permits — Arvada's own Building Inspection Policy on Contemporaneous Review of State-Issued Electrical Licenses confirms the City verifies State licensure and issues the permit directly.
- What electrical code does Arvada use?
- Arvada has adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) / NFPA 70, matching the State of Colorado Electrical Board's statewide 2023 NEC adoption (effective August 1, 2023). Arvada's 2026 code cycle references an eventual move to the 2026 NEC, but that will not take effect until the State of Colorado begins its own 2026 NEC implementation later in 2026.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
- City of Arvada — Building Safety Division — official building department
- City of Arvada — Electrical (permit page, fees, and review timelines)
- City of Arvada — Building Inspection Policy On Contemporaneous Review of State of Colorado Issued Electrical Licenses
- City of Arvada — Adopted Building Code (2023 NEC)
- City of Arvada — Building Fee Schedule (Table 18-5, Residential Electrical Service Change)
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Arvada building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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