Electrical Work Permit Guide

Quick Answer

Do you need a permit for electrical work in Toronto? Yes — but not from the City of Toronto. Electrical permits in Ontario are issued by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), a completely separate body from Toronto Building. Your licensed electrician pulls the ESA permit and arranges ESA inspections. This is the #1 thing homeowners get wrong about electrical permits. Check if your project needs other permits →

The Most Important Thing to Know

Electrical work in Ontario is governed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) — not the City of Toronto's building department. This means:

• ESA issues electrical permits, not Toronto Building
• ESA conducts electrical inspections, not Toronto Building inspectors
• ESA sets the rules based on the Ontario Electrical Safety Code
• You cannot get an electrical permit from toronto.ca

This is different from every other trade. Plumbing permits, HVAC permits, and structural permits all go through the City. Electrical is the exception.

Source: Electrical Safety Authority

When You Need an ESA Permit

An ESA notification (permit) is required for most electrical work, including:

• New wiring or circuits — adding outlets, switches, or circuits
• Panel upgrades — upgrading your electrical panel (100A to 200A, for example)
• New installations — hot tubs, pools, EV chargers, generators
• Rewiring — replacing old knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring
• Any work behind walls — running new wire through walls, ceilings, or floors
• Outdoor electrical — landscape lighting circuits, shed electrical, garage wiring

When You DON'T Need an ESA Permit

• Replacing a light fixture (same circuit, same location)
• Replacing a switch or outlet cover
• Replacing a plug or cord on an appliance
• Changing light bulbs (obviously)

How ESA Permits Work

For Homeowners Doing Their Own Work

Ontario allows homeowners to do electrical work in their own home — but you still need an ESA permit and inspection. Here's the process:

1. Register the work with ESA online at esasafe.com
2. Do the work according to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code
3. Request an inspection from ESA
4. ESA inspector visits and either approves or identifies corrections needed
5. Once approved, you receive a Certificate of Inspection

For Licensed Electrical Contractors

Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) can pull ESA permits on your behalf. Most homeowners go this route. The contractor:

1. Files the notification with ESA
2. Completes the work
3. Arranges the ESA inspection
4. Provides you with the inspection certificate

Always ask your electrician for the ESA inspection certificate when the job is done. This is your proof the work was done to code.

ESA Fees

ESA fees are separate from any City of Toronto building permit fees. ESA publishes their fee schedule on esasafe.com. Fees vary by the scope of work — expect:

• Simple residential work (new circuit, panel change): $100–$300
• Larger residential projects (rewiring, additions): $300–$600+
• Commercial/industrial: varies significantly

Your electrician typically includes the ESA permit fee in their quote. Ask if it's included.

How Electrical Permits Relate to Building Permits

Here's where it gets practical. If you're doing a renovation that involves both structural/plumbing work AND electrical work, you'll need:

1. A building permit from Toronto Building (for the structural/plumbing components)
2. An ESA permit (for the electrical components)

These are two separate permits from two separate authorities. They don't talk to each other automatically, so you (or your contractor) need to coordinate both.

Examples

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing ESA Permits with City Building Permits

They're completely different. Calling Toronto Building to ask about an electrical permit will waste your time — they'll direct you to ESA.

2. Not Getting ANY Electrical Permit

Some homeowners (or their handyman) skip the ESA notification entirely. This is risky:

• Insurance implications — if unpermitted electrical work causes a fire, your insurer can deny the claim
• Resale issues — home inspectors can identify unpermitted electrical work
• Safety risk — uninspected electrical work is a leading cause of house fires

3. Hiring an Unlicensed Electrician

Only Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) can legally do electrical work for hire in Ontario. An unlicensed handyman doing electrical work is violating the law — and if something goes wrong, you have no recourse.

4. Not Coordinating ESA and City Inspections

On larger projects, City building inspectors and ESA inspectors need to visit at different stages. Your contractor should coordinate this — rough-in electrical inspection happens before drywall, for example.

What About Solar Panels?

Solar panel installations require both:

• An ESA permit for the electrical connections
• Potentially a City building permit (solar panels on existing buildings qualify for Express Services — 3 business day review)

Your solar installer should handle both permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do my own electrical work in Toronto?

Yes — Ontario allows homeowners to do electrical work in their own primary residence. But you must still get an ESA permit and pass an ESA inspection. You cannot do electrical work in a rental property you don't live in, or for someone else.

How do I find a licensed electrician?

ESA maintains a contractor search tool where you can verify that a contractor is a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) in Ontario.

How long does an ESA inspection take?

ESA typically schedules inspections within 5–10 business days of your request. The actual inspection visit is usually 30–60 minutes depending on scope.

Do I need an electrical permit to install a smart thermostat?

Generally no — replacing a thermostat is considered maintenance, not new electrical work. However, if you're running new wiring for it (e.g., adding a C-wire), that could trigger a permit requirement.

What happens if I sell my house with unpermitted electrical work?

A buyer's home inspector may flag the work. Their lawyer may request proof of ESA inspection. If you can't provide it, you may need to have the work inspected retroactively, or face price negotiations.

Need Help With the Non-Electrical Parts?

PermitEasy handles City of Toronto building permits — the structural, plumbing, and HVAC side of your project. For electrical permits, you'll work with ESA directly (or through your licensed electrician).

If your project involves both building permits and electrical work, check what City permits you need → or let us handle the building permit side →. We'll coordinate timing so your project stays on track.

Sources: Electrical Safety Authority, When Do I Need a Building Permit? — Toronto, Express Building Permits