Requirements for New or Upgraded Electric Services

Electrical Components Arranged On House Plans

Regulation 21 Update:

PWP has made changes to Regulation 21 (Electric Service Requirements), these amendments are effective beginning March 1, 2022. To read the updated Regulation 21 document, click here.

Regulation 21 Online Feedback Form

How to Apply for New Secondary Electrical Service or a Service Panel Upgrade 

  1. Schedule an Appointment for a Field Visit by calling 626.744.4495 or emailing ESP@cityofpasadena.net.
  2. Provide the following documents 48 hours prior to the Field Visit
    • One set of plans
    • Section Evaluations
    • Site Survey Plans
  3. PWP will provide you with an approved Meter Spot and a quote for the new electric service installed or upgrade of the electrical service (if required)
  4. Obtain an Electrical Permit from the Building and Safety's Permit Center at:
    Planning and Community Development Department
    175 N. Garfield Ave
    Pasadena, CA 91101
    626.744.4200
  5. Submit your total payment to Electric Service Planning, by check only, payable to "City of Pasadena Water and Power” by mail or in person at:
    Electric Service Planning
    1055 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 350
    Pasadena, CA 91106
  6. Complete Electrical Work
    • If you are applying for new secondary service:
      • Apply for a new service account for each meter at 626.744.4005 or online on the Start New Service page.
      • Visit the Permit Center at 175 N. Garfield Ave. to fill out an application and submit payment for an address assignment for each meter. Please note: PWP will only provide electrical service to legal addresses recognized by the Planning & Community Development Department
      • Complete your electric panel installation per the approved meter spot
    • If you are upgrading service:
      • Schedule an appointment to unlock and remove the meter. 
        • Please note - PWP must complete all meter unlocking and removal. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in a Tampering Fee starting at $300.
      •  Your electrician must install a bypass device for temporary metering during this appointment.
      • Complete the required electrical work.
  7. Contact PWP’s Electric Service Planning Division to inspect your new electrical panel and conduit installation.
  8. Contact the Building and Safety Division for final electrical panel inspection.
  9. Once all clearances are obtained PWP will turn on your service within 14 business days for small secondary residential jobs, and within 21 business days for large secondary and all commercial jobs. 

How to Apply for a New Primary Electrical Service

  1. Submit an application to Electric Service Planning and provide the following documentation:
    • Site survey plan.
    • Architectural plans, elevation plans and section through facility.
    • Foundation plan.
    • Electrical load calculations and single line diagram signed and stamped by a licensed electrical engineer or licensed electrician.
    • Electrical room layout and switchboard elevations.

      Download the Electrical Service Application for a Private Property Transformer here.

  2. Schedule an office appointment for a review of the required documents by calling 626.744.4495 or emailing ESP@cityofpasadena.net. Please Note: The project’s developer, architect, and electrical engineer must meet be present to discuss type, size, location, and other PWP requirements of the on-site transformer facility, electrical room and associated switchboards.
  3. Obtain an Electrical Permit from the Building and Safety's Permit Center at:
    Planning and Community Development Department
    175 N. Garfield Ave
    Pasadena, CA 91101
    626.744.4200
  4. Submit final drawings and a $5,643.76 deposit to Electric Service Planning, by check only, payable to "City of Pasadena Water and Power" at:
    Electric Service Planning
    1055 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 350
    Pasadena, CA 91106
  5. PWP will prepare an electrical design for the customer’s on-site transformer facility. Once all the requirements are met, PWP will approve and sign off the building permit and provide an estimate for the cost of new electrical service installation.
  6. Apply for new service account(s) with PWP Customer Service at 626.744.4005 or online on the Start New Service page. 
    • If you are applying for service at a new address:
      • Visit the Permit Center at 175 N. Garfield Ave. to fill out an application and submit payment for an address assignment 
        • Please note: PWP will only provide electrical service to legal addresses recognized by the Planning & Community Development Department
  7. Submit your proposed electrical switchgear specifications and any remaining payment to Electric Service Planning for review and approval.  Contact Electric Service Planning to schedule a mandatory pre-construction meeting.
  8. Complete Civil work: install required conduits, vent pipes, pull boxes and/or vaults. Do not concrete encase or backfill the installations prior to PWP inspection and approval.  Once this is complete call Electric Service Planning for an inspection.
  9. Once approved by PWP, concrete encase and backfill the installations and complete construction of the on-site transformer facility (excluding the switchgear) and call Electric Service Planning for inspection and approval of the on-site transformer facility.
  10. Once the on-site transformer facility is approved by PWP, complete the switchgear installations and call Electric Service Planning to inspect and approve the switchgear installation.
  11. Contact Building & Safety’s Permit Center for final electrical inspection.
  12. Once all clearances are obtained and no holds have been placed on the project by any other City Department, PWP will complete installation of transformer(s) and associated cables/devices and energize the service within 21 business days.

Installing A Charging Station for Your Electric Vehicle

To install a home charging station, you’ll need to start by reviewing the existing electric infrastructure of your home. Every house is wired with a specific electric capacity, which is the total amount of electric current (kWh) a house can draw at one time from utility service lines.  

Before you install your charger you will need to know the available electric capacity of your home. If the additional load from EV charging exceeds your home’s available electric capacity you will need to upgrade your service panel. A licensed electrician can assess your home’s load capacity and determine whether charging your EV will require a service panel upgrade to handle the additional load.

If your house does require more capacity follow the “How to Apply for A New Secondary Electrical Service” directions above.   

Important Information

It is the responsibility of the customer to determine if the location of any new or  existing power facilities are in conflict with any federal, state or local codes. Any relocation work by the utility to maintain proper clearances will be at the expense of the customer.

  • All new or upgraded electrical services over 200 amps of single phase or over 100 amps of three phase will require the provisions for City owned transformers on private property.
  • PWP requires all charges to be paid prior to connecting or energizing any new or upgraded services.
  • In addition to the foregoing PWP requirements, it will be necessary for the customer to apply for a utility billing account if a new service is involved. This will set up your meter reading and billing accounts. A deposit may be required for new service.