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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Panel upgrade permits in Texas

Last updated September 13, 2026

Early Texas guides. getPermit is California-first — these pages share what we've verified in Texas so far, and they don't mean getPermit covers Texas yet. Join the waitlist with your city to tell us where to go deeper.

A plain-English starting point for electrical contractors. This is general Texas guidance — fees, forms, and timelines are set by each city.

Short answer

A panel replacement or service upgrade generally needs an electrical permit in Texas cities, pulled by a TDLR-licensed electrical contractor with a master electrician of record — and in Dallas, only master electricians registered with the City can obtain electrical permits. The utility controls the service connection: Oncor's service guidelines say it reconnects only after it's notified of approval by the proper authority, and contractors must call before pulling a self-contained meter.

The general picture

Texas regulates electrical work at two levels. TDLR licenses electrical contractors and adopts the National Electrical Code statewide, while each city issues permits, registers contractors, and can amend the code — and the editions listed on city pages vary. For a panel or service upgrade in the Dallas–Fort Worth cities we've checked, expect an electrical permit, a licensed master electrician, and utility coordination: Oncor's service guidelines require a call before a self-contained meter is pulled, and Plano requires a Fault Current Calculation Form before service equipment goes in. See the verified notes for Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Plano.

Typically needs a permit

Replacing a panel or meter base, increasing service size, adding a subpanel, or relocating the service. Fort Worth's residential guidance says changing, moving, or repairing electrical equipment, including electrical services, requires an electrical permit.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Replacing switches, receptacles, or light fixtures on existing wiring
Minor repairs that don't change the service or panel

Documents & plans generally required

Electrical permit application
TDLR electrical contractor license, master electrician of record, and city registration
Load calculation for a service increase
Fault current or equipment rating information where the city requires it — Plano, for example, requires a Fault Current Calculation Form before service equipment is installed
Service request or coordination with Oncor or the serving utility

Common reasons panel upgrade applications get bounced

Code-rooted patterns across Texas — not a city-specific rejection rate.

No load calculation for a service size increase
Available fault current or equipment ratings not documented where required
Working space in front of the panel doesn't meet NEC 110.26
Meter pulled or service disconnected without calling the utility first
Electrician not registered with the city where registration is required

The inspection sequence

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

1Service inspection by the city
2City approval of the work
3Utility reconnects service under its own rules — Oncor waits for approval from the proper authority

Licensing — who can pull it

Panel and service upgrades in Texas are done by a TDLR-licensed electrical contractor with a master electrician of record. Texas adopts the National Electrical Code statewide through TDLR — the 2026 edition took effect September 1, 2026 — and cities may adopt local amendments.

How this works in your Texas city

Cities marked have verified local data — portal, fee schedule, adopted code edition, and local permit notes sourced from public city and county documents. Every city page links to its official building department.

Dallas Fort Worth Arlington Plano

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to upgrade an electrical panel in Texas?

Generally yes. Fort Worth requires an electrical permit for changing or repairing electrical services, and Dallas limits electrical permits to City-registered master electricians.

Who reconnects power after a panel upgrade in Oncor territory?

Oncor. Its service guidelines say it won't reconnect until it's notified of approval by the proper authority. Call Oncor before pulling a self-contained meter.

Which NEC edition applies in Texas?

TDLR adopted the 2026 NEC effective September 1, 2026, and cities can amend it. City code pages sometimes list earlier editions, so confirm the edition the city enforces.

Other common jobs

AC changeout Battery storage EV charger install All jobs All Texas guides

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