What's Required in Portland
- An electrical permit is required to replace a service panel, change a fuse box to breakers, add a sub-panel, or install, change or repair any hard-wired system, even without a building permit.
- Fees are flat by amperage: $212 for a 200 amp service, $298 for 201 to 400 amps, $391 for 401 to 600 amps, plus a 12 percent Oregon surcharge; added circuits are $21 each.
- The application must state the panel's amperage, and work that needs plans must be submitted on the PDF application with a 25 percent plan review fee.
- Only an owner who lives in the home, is the recorded owner and is not selling, renting or leasing may do the work; otherwise a contractor with CCB and Building Codes Division electrical licenses is required.
- Homeowners may not do electrical work on a rental property or an accessory dwelling unit.
- A service inspection (#120/145) is required after the mast, meter base, panel and grounding electrode conductors are installed, followed by the 199 Final Electrical inspection.
- Permits expire if more than 180 days pass between inspections; reinspections cost $161 and unpermitted work draws a $161 minimum investigation fee.
Do you need a permit to replace an electrical panel in Portland?
Yes. Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) lists replacing a service panel, changing a fuse box to circuit breakers, and installing, changing or repairing any hard-wired electrical system as work that needs a residential electrical permit, required even when no building permit is. A service upgrade to 200 amps, a new sub-panel, and a reconnect after the power has been off six months or more all go on the same electrical permit. Replacing a fuse, fixing an appliance cord, or swapping an existing appliance such as a dishwasher needs no permit. The permit application takes about 15 minutes on Development Hub PDX (DevHub), and PP&D issues trade permits within 24 hours of payment.
How much does an electrical panel permit cost in Portland?
The 2026 electrical fee schedule prices services and feeders by amperage: installation, alteration or relocation of a 200 amp service is $212; 201 to 400 amps $298; 401 to 600 amps $391. Oregon adds a 12 percent surcharge to every permit fee, so a 200 amp panel replacement or upgrade is $212 plus $25.44 = $237.44, and a 400 amp service is $298 plus $35.76 = $333.76. Branch circuits added on the same permit are $21 each when bought with the service fee; four new circuits with a 200 amp service make $212 plus $84 = $296, or $331.52 with surcharge. A reconnect-only permit, used when the utility requires an inspection to restore power after six or more months off, is $190 plus 12 percent = $212.80. If the scope requires a residential electrical plan review, PP&D adds 25 percent of the permit fee; a straightforward panel swap submitted on DevHub does not. Reinspections are $161 each, and starting work before the permit adds an investigation fee of at least $161. You must give the panel's amperage on the application.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like 200 amp panel replacement | Electrical permit | Services or feeders, 200 amps: $212 plus 12 percent = $237.44 |
| Upgrade from a fuse box to a 200 amp breaker panel | Electrical permit | Changing a fuse box to breakers is a listed trigger; same $237.44; service inspection #120/145 required |
| New 400 amp service for an EV charger, heat pump and range | Electrical permit | 201 to 400 amps: $298 plus 12 percent = $333.76; charger and range circuits add $21 each |
| 200 amp panel plus four new branch circuits | Electrical permit | $212 plus 4 x $21 = $296, $331.52 with surcharge |
| Adding a sub-panel for a garage or ADU | Electrical permit | Feeder installation is priced by amperage; an ADU's wiring must be done by a licensed electrical contractor |
| Reconnect after power off six months or more | Electrical permit (reconnect only) | $190 plus 12 percent = $212.80; request a #111 inspection |
| Panel work in a house you rent out or are selling | Licensed electrical contractor | Homeowner permits are only for an owner who lives in the home; ORS 479.540 |
Who can pull a Portland electrical permit?
Oregon's Electrical Safety Law, ORS 479.540, lets a person wire residential property they own without a license only if the property is not intended for sale, exchange, lease or rent. PP&D applies that as: the homeowner may do electrical work only if they own and live in the home, must be the recorded owner rather than an LLC, and may not work on a rental, a property for sale, lease or exchange, or an accessory dwelling unit. Everyone else hires a contractor holding both an Oregon Construction Contractors Board license and a Building Codes Division electrical license, and the permit lists both numbers. Replacing a metal water service line with plastic can also require an electrical permit and a new grounding electrode, which often surfaces during a panel upgrade.
What inspections does a panel need?
Projects with a service change, panel change or added sub-panel request a service inspection, code 120 or 145, after the mast, meter base, panel and grounding electrode conductors are in place, with branch circuits connected where possible. Schedule it on DevHub or by calling 503-823-7000 with the IVR number and three-digit code. Every electrical permit closes only with the 199 Final Electrical inspection, with circuits labeled, cover plates on and equipment grounded and energized; until then the permit stays under inspection, and it expires if more than 180 days pass between inspections. Results post to DevHub and your email, and corrections can often be cleared by Remote Video Re-inspection. Coordinate the utility disconnect and reconnect with your power company; PP&D's inspection is what the utility relies on to restore service.
How to Get a Electrical Panel Permit in Portland
Confirm who can pull the permit
If you own and occupy the home and are not selling or renting, you may apply as the homeowner; otherwise your electrical contractor applies with CCB and BCD license numbers.
Apply on DevHub
Choose the residential electrical permit, select the service or feeder amperage and any branch circuits, and pay. Permits issue within 24 hours; plan-review jobs use the PDF form by email.
Schedule the utility disconnect
Arrange the power company's disconnect and reconnect around the work and the city's service inspection, since the utility relies on PP&D's approval to restore service.
Request the service inspection
After the mast, meter base, panel and grounding electrode conductors are installed, request inspection 120 or 145 on DevHub or at 503-823-7000 with your IVR number.
Close with the 199 final
Label circuits, install cover plates, energize and ground the equipment, then request the 199 Final Electrical inspection to close the permit.