A panel upgrade — also called a service change or heavy-up — requires an electrical permit anywhere in metro Atlanta whenever you replace the main panel, upsize the service conductors or meter base, or increase the service amperage (for example, 100A to 200A). It is the most common residential electrical permit in the metro. Fees typically run $50–$150, approval is usually one to five business days over the counter, and the job needs a final/service inspection plus a utility release back to Georgia Power.
When does a panel upgrade need a permit?
A permit is required whenever you replace the main breaker panel or load center, upsize the service entrance conductors and meter base, or increase the service amperage. A like-for-like breaker swap inside an existing panel is a gray area by jurisdiction, but anything touching the service — the panel, the meter, the conductors, the amperage — is squarely permit territory. When in doubt, pull it; an unpermitted service change is exactly the kind of thing that surfaces at resale.
Typical scope of a permitted panel upgrade
- Replace the main breaker panel / load center.
- Upsize the service entrance conductors and meter base.
- Bond and ground per the current National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Coordinate the Georgia Power disconnect and reconnect.
The load calculation: don't skip it
When a panel upgrade increases the service amperage, most jurisdictions want a load calculation attached to the application. "No load calculation attached when amperage increases" is one of the most common rejection reasons across metro Atlanta. Run the calc, attach it, and you sail through. Leave it off and the reviewer kicks it back — costing you a day or more.
Georgia Power coordination
A service change almost always involves Georgia Power: a disconnect to pull the old service, then a reconnect/release once the new service passes inspection. The permit and the utility step are linked — the county won't consider the job closed until the service inspection passes and the utility releases. Plan the disconnect window with the homeowner so they're not without power longer than necessary.
Inspections for a panel upgrade
| Inspection | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rough-in | If walls are opened | Not always required for a straight service swap. |
| Final / service inspection | After work is complete | The core sign-off on the new service. |
| Utility release | After passing final | Georgia Power reconnects on release. |
Panel upgrade permit fees and timeline by county
Fees vary by jurisdiction but a residential panel upgrade generally lands in the $50–$150 range. A few metro examples: Cobb County runs about $50–$100 (with an emailed sub-form shortcut), Gwinnett about $50–$120 (via the native 'Electrical Only' type), Cherokee a flat $50 with no plan review, and the City of Atlanta about $175 per permit. Approval is typically one to five business days over the counter for routine residential work.
Common reasons a panel-upgrade permit gets rejected
- Missing or expired electrical license on file.
- No load calculation attached when the amperage increases.
- The job address resolved to the wrong jurisdiction (city vs. county).
- Scope described too vaguely for the reviewer to classify.
Let PullPermits.ai pull it for you
PullPermits.ai is built for exactly this permit. You describe the service change, the AI detects the correct jurisdiction, drafts the application, and flags when a load calculation is needed for the amperage increase. You review a plain-English preview with the fee, then 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. Compare county-specific steps in our Cobb and Gwinnett guides.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to upgrade an electrical panel in Georgia?
- Yes. A permit is required whenever you replace the main panel, upsize the service conductors or meter base, or increase the service amperage. It is the most common residential electrical permit in metro Atlanta.
- Do I need a load calculation for a panel upgrade?
- Usually, yes — when the upgrade increases the service amperage. Most metro jurisdictions want a load calculation attached, and missing it is a top rejection reason.
- How much does a panel-upgrade permit cost in Georgia?
- Typically $50–$150 depending on the city or county. Cherokee is a flat $50; the City of Atlanta is about $175 per permit. PullPermits.ai passes the fee through at cost.
- What inspections does a panel upgrade need?
- A final/service inspection, a rough-in if walls are opened, and a utility release so Georgia Power can reconnect after the service passes.