What does getPermit actually do?

getPermit reads your job details and tells you what a California city expects before you file: which permits the work triggers, the documents and plans you'll need, the fees to budget for, and the common reasons applications in that jurisdiction get bounced back. It produces a clear checklist you can act on. It does not submit to the city for you — you (or your permit person) stay in control of what gets filed.

Is there a human involved, or is it just AI?

Both. The AI does the research and drafts the assessment and checklist; an experienced permit coordinator reviews and approves it before it's treated as authoritative. The human check is the point — it's how we keep it trustworthy in a process where a wrong filing has real consequences.

Which cities do you cover?

We're starting deep in California rather than shallow everywhere. For a city we haven't fully mapped yet, we'll give you accurate general California guidance and point you to that city's official building department — and you can join the waitlist to be notified when we cover it in depth. We will not invent city-specific fees or timelines we haven't verified.

Solo electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors, and small general contractors who don't have a dedicated permit department and lose billable hours to permit admin.

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Electrical panel upgrade permits in Palo Alto, CA

General California guidance last updated May 22, 2026 · Palo Alto data verified August 10, 2026

What electrical contractors need to know about pulling a electrical panel upgrade permit in Palo Alto (Santa Clara County).

Short answer

In California, an electrical service or panel upgrade always needs an electrical permit and an inspection, and almost always requires utility coordination for the temporary disconnect. It is pulled by a licensed C-10 contractor under the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3). Common drivers: EV chargers, heat pumps, solar/battery, ADUs, and replacing legacy/recalled panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic).

Palo Alto accepts submittal through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) and has adopted the 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) with Palo Alto amendments. Fee details and sources are below.

Palo Alto permit data

Sourced from public City of Palo Alto documents — every field carries the source URL and verification date.

Permit portal

Accela Citizen Access (ACA)

verified Aug 10, 2026 · source · The city's online permitting portal — all permit submittals go through ACA. Inspection scheduling, permit-history search, and fee payment are available on the portal without logging in

Adopted code edition

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) with Palo Alto amendments

verified Aug 10, 2026 · source · Ordinance No. 5674 (passed October 20, 2025) adopts the 2025 California Building Code, Title 24 Part 2, Volumes 1 & 2, by reference with local omissions, amendments, exceptions, and additions

Fee schedule

Building Fees — FY 2026 Adopted Municipal Fee Schedule (Planning and Development Services)

verified Aug 10, 2026 · source · Linked as "Building Fees (PDF)" on the Building Permit Forms page; the citywide FY 2026 Municipal Fee Schedule was adopted by the City Council on June 16, 2025. No FY 2027 building-fee schedule was posted as of retrieval — re-check when the city posts one

City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services →All verified Palo Alto data →

The general picture in California

A panel upgrade changes the building's electrical service — bumping the amperage (typically 100A → 200A, sometimes 225/400A), replacing the panel and meter, and often re-pulling the service lateral or mast. Because the work touches utility infrastructure and the main overcurrent device, it requires an electrical permit, a load calculation, a single-line diagram, and coordination with the utility for power-cut and reconnect. Grounding and bonding must meet the current code cycle (often a new ground-rod system in addition to the UFER), and AFCI/GFCI updates may be required on circuits being touched or extended.

For deeper background that isn't Palo Alto-specific, see the statewide electrical panel upgrade guide.

Typically needs a permit

Electrical panel upgrade itself triggers a permit in nearly every California jurisdiction, Palo Alto included. Palo Alto-specific variations are confirmed with the issuing department above.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Replacing a single breaker for one of the same type and rating
Tightening lugs or replacing a feeder bus cover (maintenance, not modification)
Re-labeling the panel directory

Documents & plans generally required

Electrical permit application
Contractor license and city business registration
Load calculation per NEC Article 220 (existing load + new loads)
Single-line diagram showing the new service size, meter, panel, main breaker, and grounding-electrode system
Site plan with panel/meter location and the service drop or lateral route
Cut sheet for the new panel (listing, AIC rating, bus rating, number of spaces)
Utility coordination forms (PG&E, SCE, LADWP, SDG&E — varies by service area)

Common reasons electrical panel upgrade applications get bounced

Code-rooted patterns across California — not a Palo Alto-specific rejection rate.

Load calculation missing, incomplete, or not matching the proposed service size
No single-line diagram, or the diagram doesn't reflect the proposed work
Grounding/bonding details missing (UFER + supplemental ground rods, bonding jumpers)
AIC rating of the new equipment not coordinated with the utility's available fault current
Service-conductor sizing not matching the new main breaker
Working clearances around the panel not shown (NEC 110.26)

The inspection sequence

A typical order — the number of stops and exact sequence vary by jurisdiction and scope.

1Rough/service inspection before energization, with the panel set and grounding visible
2Utility coordination for temporary disconnect, meter pull, and reconnect
3Final inspection with the panel labeled, all circuits identified, and the service energized

Licensing — who can pull it

Panel and service upgrades in California are performed by a C-10 (Electrical) licensed contractor; a B (General Building) contractor may pull within a larger project under CSLB rules. The licensed contractor pulling the permit typically also coordinates the utility cut and reconnect.

Other verified Palo Alto notes

Development Center hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM virtual only, closed 12:30–1:30 PM; (650) 329-2496 (option 1 for a Building Project Coordinator) · building@paloalto.gov.
verified Aug 10, 2026 · source
All documents upload through the ACA portal and all payments are made in the portal — the city does not accept payments through third-party applications. A dedicated Project Coordinator is assigned to each application; first response within 2–3 business days.
verified Aug 10, 2026 · source
Some minor projects qualify for an instant building permit (e.g. the Heat Pump Space Conditioning Systems Instant Permit), and a new Over-The-Counter Residential MEP Permit Pilot Program covers qualifying residential mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits.
verified Aug 10, 2026 · source

Frequently asked questions

When does California require a panel upgrade?

When the load calculation shows the existing service can't carry the new connected load — most often triggered by EV chargers, heat pumps, solar/battery, ADUs, or replacing a recalled panel brand (Federal Pacific, Zinsco). The upgrade is permitted as a single project even when it bundles multiple drivers.

Do I need to coordinate with the utility?

Yes — service upgrades require utility coordination for the temporary disconnect, meter pull, and reconnect. PG&E, SCE, LADWP, and SDG&E each have their own application and lead time; the contractor typically handles this in parallel with the city permit.

Can I keep the same panel location?

Generally yes, if the location still meets NEC 110.26 working clearances and the meter remains accessible to the utility. Moving the panel can simplify the install or be required when the existing location is non-compliant.

Does the panel upgrade trigger AFCI/GFCI updates on existing circuits?

Generally only the circuits being touched, extended, or replaced have to meet the current code cycle's AFCI/GFCI rules — existing circuits left in place are usually grandfathered. Some jurisdictions are stricter on this; confirm with the city.

Other jobs in Palo Alto

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