What's Required in Houston
- Electrical permits are issued only to master electricians licensed by TDLR and registered with the City of Houston (HPC Circuit Panel and Meter Loop pages)
- Any repair, replacement, alteration or installation of electrical equipment requires a permit (Top 10 sheet)
- Panel permit base fee $91.06 or $9.39 per panel, whichever is greater, plus $33.56 admin
- Meter loop and service permit $94.00 up to 50 kW, $100.71 for 51-250 kW, plus $33.56 admin
- Outlets and fixtures $1.34 each, range receptacle $4.70, EV outlets $94.00-$107.42
- Filed in iPermits with the Electrical Wiring Permit Application (CE-1057); processing one business day; valid 180 days
- Inspection required; permit kept on site; inspections completed the next business day
- No homeowner electrical permit exists in Houston
Do You Need a Permit to Upgrade an Electrical Panel in Houston?
Yes, and you cannot pull it yourself. The Houston Permitting Center's Circuit Panel Permit page states that registered electrical contractors who wish to install or re-wire circuit breakers must request an electrical permit, and that electrical permits are only issued to registered master electricians. A service upgrade is a second permit, the Electrical Meter and Loop Service permit, with the same restriction. Texas Occupations Code exempts homeowners from the state electrician license for work on their own residence, but Houston's permit rules do not give homeowners a permit, so in practice the master electrician licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and registered with the city is the only path. The Building Code Enforcement Top 10 sheet backs this up: any work to repair, replace, alter or install electrical equipment requires a permit and must be performed by a licensed person.
Houston Electrical Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing or upgrading the breaker panel | Circuit Panel Permit by a registered master electrician | HPC Circuit Panel Permit (HPWCODE 1062) |
| Service upgrade (100 to 200 amps), new meter loop | Electrical Meter and Loop Service Permit by a registered master electrician | HPC Meter & Loop Service Permit (HPWCODE 1055) |
| New outlets or fixtures on the new panel | Outlet and fixture items on the same electrical permit | 2026 fee schedule, electrical fees |
| EV charger circuit | Electrical permit; Level 1 $94.00, Level 2 $100.71, Level 3 $107.42 (plans required) | 2026 fee schedule, electrical fees |
| Restoring power after a disconnect | Reconnection $94.00 on the electrical permit | 2026 fee schedule, electrical fees |
| Homeowner pulling their own electrical permit | Not available in Houston | HPC Circuit Panel and Meter Loop pages |
| New A/C condenser on the upgraded service | Separate mechanical permit by a registered A/C contractor | HPC Alteration of HVAC (HPWCODE 1019) |
How Much Does an Electrical Permit Cost in Houston?
The 2026 Building Code Enforcement fee schedule prices electrical work per item with a $91.06 minimum permit fee, and every permit carries the $33.56 administrative fee. The Circuit Panel Permit page states the base fee as $91.06 or $9.39 per panel, whichever is greater, so a panel replacement is $91.06 plus admin, $124.62. The Meter and Loop Service permit is $94.00 for a service up to and including 50 kW ($100.71 for 51 to 250 kW), so a 200-amp residential service upgrade is $94.00 plus admin, $127.56. Outlets and fixtures are $1.34 each and a range receptacle $4.70, which only matters once a job's items exceed the minimum. There is no plan review fee on these permits, processing is one business day, and the permit is valid for 180 days. CenterPoint's charges for the meter and service drop, and the electrician's price, are separate.
Who Files an Electrical Permit in Houston?
A master electrician licensed by TDLR who has registered that license, and the contractor license, with the city's Electrical Inspections section. The electrician applies in the iPermits portal with the Electrical Wiring Permit Application (form CE-1057), pays the fee, prints the permit and keeps it on site for the inspection, which is required and completed the next business day after the request. First-time iPermits users also file an acknowledgement form. Houston does not license general contractors, so a remodel's building permit may be in the owner's name, but the electrical permit under it is always the registered electrician's.
Energy Code and Inspections
Texas' energy code governs air-conditioning equipment and ducts among other components, so a service upgrade driven by a new heat pump or condenser pairs with a mechanical permit that a TDLR-licensed A/C contractor pulls separately. The electrical inspection covers the panel, service equipment and bonding; keep the permit on site and call the Electrical Inspections section at 832-394-8860 for registration questions.
How to Get a Electrical Panel Permit in Houston
Hire a registered master electrician
Only a TDLR-licensed master electrician registered with the city can pull the permit; verify registration with Electrical Inspections.
Electrician files in iPermits
Electrical Wiring Permit Application (CE-1057); panel permit $91.06 minimum, meter loop $94.00, each plus $33.56 admin.
Coordinate the utility
The electrician schedules CenterPoint for the meter and service; the city permit covers the customer side.
Install and request inspection
Inspection is required and completed the next business day after the request; keep the permit on site.
Close out
Permit valid 180 days; keep the inspection record for resale or insurance.