In Georgia, you generally need an electrical permit any time you add or alter wiring — new circuits, subpanels, a panel or service change, an EV charger circuit, remodel and addition wiring, or a standby generator. You generally don't need one for true like-for-like maintenance, such as swapping a failed switch, receptacle, or light fixture on an existing circuit. The exact line varies by jurisdiction, so when the work touches the service or adds load, pull the permit.
Electrical work that needs a permit
- Panel upgrades and service changes (replacing the panel, meter base, or increasing amperage).
- New branch circuits and subpanels.
- EV charger circuits — hardwired Level 2 EVSE or a dedicated 240V receptacle.
- Remodel and addition wiring.
- Whole-home rewiring (knob-and-tube or aluminum remediation, gut renovations).
- Standby generators with a transfer switch (often plus a separate gas/mechanical permit).
- Temporary power and T-pole service for construction.
Electrical work that usually doesn't need a permit
- Replacing a failed switch, receptacle, or light fixture like-for-like on an existing circuit.
- Replacing a breaker with an identical one (a true gray area — check the jurisdiction).
- Plugging in appliances or Level 1 EV charging on an existing general-purpose outlet.
Why pulling the permit is the right call
Permits exist so a licensed inspector verifies the work is safe and to code. For a contractor, a pulled permit is also protection: it documents that the work was inspected, which matters at resale, for insurance claims, and if anything ever goes wrong. Unpermitted electrical work routinely surfaces during home sales and can force expensive after-the-fact corrections — paid for by whoever did the original work without a permit.
| Scenario | Permit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 100A to 200A service change | Yes | Service amperage increase. |
| Add a kitchen circuit in a remodel | Yes | New branch circuit / altered wiring. |
| Install a hardwired EV charger | Yes | New dedicated 240V circuit. |
| Swap a broken light switch | Usually no | Like-for-like on an existing circuit. |
| Replace a dead receptacle | Usually no | Like-for-like maintenance. |
Who can pull the permit?
In Georgia, the named applicant on an electrical permit must hold an active electrical license, and most metro counties also want a business license and proof of insurance on file. The license holder stays responsible for the work and is the applicant of record — that's true whether you file it yourself at the county portal or use a service that files on your behalf.
Found the work needs a permit? Here's the fast way
Once you know a job needs a permit, the next question is which jurisdiction issues it — and that depends on the exact job address, since metro Atlanta's cities and counties have overlapping boundaries. Use our city vs. county jurisdiction guide to get that right, then let PullPermits.ai draft and file it. You describe the job, review a plain-English preview with the fee, and tap Approve & File. PullPermits.ai submits it, pays the city or county fee at exact cost, tracks status, and books the inspection. You stay the named, licensed applicant — you approve, we file.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to add an electrical circuit in Georgia?
- Yes. Adding a new branch circuit or subpanel is altered wiring and requires an electrical permit in metro Atlanta jurisdictions.
- Do I need a permit to replace a light switch or outlet?
- Usually not, if it's a true like-for-like replacement on an existing circuit. If you're adding an outlet, moving a circuit, or changing capacity, that's permit work.
- What happens if I do electrical work without a permit?
- Unpermitted work commonly surfaces at resale or during insurance claims and can require expensive after-the-fact correction and inspection. Pulling the permit protects you and the homeowner.
- Who has to be the applicant on an electrical permit?
- An active Georgia electrical license holder, with a business license and insurance on file in most metro counties. The license holder remains the applicant of record even when a service files on their behalf.