Do You Need a Permit for Electrical Work in Ottawa?

Electrical work in Ottawa is regulated differently from most other renovation work. While building permits come from the City of Ottawa, electrical permits are issued by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) — Ontario's regulatory body for electrical safety. Understanding when an electrical permit is required, who can pull one, and what happens if you skip it can save you from serious legal and financial trouble.

Who Regulates Electrical Work in Ottawa?

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is the provincial regulator for all electrical work in Ontario, operating under the Electricity Act. The ESA enforces the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) — the rules that govern how electrical systems must be installed and inspected. In Ottawa, as everywhere in Ontario, you need an ESA permit for most electrical work, not a permit from the City of Ottawa. If your project also involves structural work, you may need both an ESA notification and a City building permit, but they are entirely separate processes.

What Electrical Work Requires a Permit?

The Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires an ESA Notification of Work (the "permit") for almost all electrical work. This includes:

• Installing new wiring or circuits
• Upgrading or replacing an electrical panel
• Adding new outlets, switches, or light fixtures to new locations
• Installing an EV charger (Level 2 home charging station)
• Rewiring a home or part of a home
• Adding electrical to a basement apartment or secondary suite
• Installing a standby generator
• Installing hardwired smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors
• Installing a hot tub or pool electrical system

Simple like-for-like device replacements — swapping an existing light fixture for a new one of the same type, or replacing an existing outlet — generally do not require a permit, though you should confirm with your electrician or the ESA when in doubt.

For renovation projects that involve electrical work alongside structural or plumbing changes, see our guides on permits for basement renovations, kitchen renovation permits, and home addition permits.

What is a Notification of Work?

The ESA's version of a permit is formally called a Notification of Work. When filed, it:

• Creates a permanent record of the electrical work done at your property
• Triggers the ESA's review and inspection process
• Establishes accountability — the licensed contractor who files is responsible for the work meeting the OESC

The notification must be filed before work begins, or within 48 hours of starting. You can file online through the ESA's portal, by phone, or by mail. Fees vary by project type but are typically $100–$300 for standard residential work.

Who Can Pull an Electrical Permit?

Only two types of people can file an ESA Notification of Work:

1. Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs): Electricians who hold a valid ECRA/ESA licence are the standard path. They file the notification, complete the work, schedule the inspection, and handle the entire regulatory process on your behalf.
2. Homeowners doing their own work: Under Ontario rules, homeowners may file a Notification of Work and complete electrical work in their own primary residence. However, the ESA strongly discourages this for anything beyond basic work, and homeowners must still pass an ESA inspection. Work in rental units or secondary suites generally requires a licensed contractor.

If you hire an unlicensed electrician, they cannot legally file an ESA notification — making any work they do automatically unpermitted. Always verify a contractor's ECRA/ESA licence number using the ESA's online lookup tool at esasafe.com.

The ESA Inspection Process

After filing a notification, the work must be inspected by an ESA inspector before it's concealed. The typical process is:

1. File the Notification of Work before or within 48 hours of starting
2. Complete the electrical work according to the OESC
3. Request an inspection at a milestone (rough-in before drywall, or final after completion)
4. The ESA inspector reviews the work and either approves it or issues a defect notice
5. Corrections are made if defects are identified, then re-inspection is requested
6. On passing the final inspection, the ESA issues a Certificate of Acceptance

Keep your Certificate of Acceptance — it's important documentation for insurance, resale, and future renovations. You can also look up ESA inspection records for your property using the ESA's address-based search tool on their website.

Do You Need Both an ESA Permit and a Building Permit?

Yes, in many cases. The ESA notification is a separate process from the City of Ottawa building permit. Examples:

• Finishing a basement with new lighting and outlets: Both a City building permit and an ESA notification required
• Panel upgrade only: ESA notification only
• Building a home addition with new electrical: Both permits required
• Installing an EV charger in an existing garage (no structural changes): ESA notification only

See our article on what happens if you renovate without a permit for the broader consequences of skipping any required permit.

What If You Have Unpermitted Electrical Work?

If previous electrical work in your home was done without an ESA permit, the practical solution is to contact a licensed electrician who can assess the work and file a retroactive notification. An ESA inspector will review the existing installation and identify any deficiencies. Correcting older unpermitted wiring can be expensive — potentially requiring partial rewiring — but it's far preferable to leaving the situation unresolved. Unpermitted electrical work can void your home insurance and create serious liability if it contributes to a fire or injury.

If you're buying a home, you can check the property's ESA permit history using the ESA's free address search tool. Our article on permits for putting a kitchen in your basement explains the full permit picture for that common project. And for context on other electrical and renovation projects, see our guides on garage additions and home fixes you should never DIY.

Work With a Contractor Who Handles Permits Properly

At Ottawa General Contractors, every project that involves electrical work is coordinated with a licensed electrical contractor who pulls the required ESA notifications. We don't cut corners on permits. Contact us today to discuss your renovation and get a clear picture of exactly what permits are required and how we manage the process from start to finish.