Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Aurora?
Yes. In Colorado, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Aurora is no exception.
Replacing or upgrading an electrical service panel requires a permit and inspection through Colorado's State Electrical Board, and the work must be done by a state-licensed electrician or by the homeowner on the home they occupy. A utility disconnect and reconnect usually must be scheduled with the power company, and grounding, bonding, and AFCI/GFCI requirements must meet the adopted NEC edition. Aurora requires an electrical permit to replace or upgrade a service panel, applied for through the Aurora4Biz portal (aurora4biz.org). Aurora reviews electrical work under the National Electrical Code and is transitioning to the 2026 NEC for applications received on or after August 1, 2026, so confirm which edition applies to your permit. The utility disconnect and reconnect with Xcel Energy usually must be scheduled separately, and electrical work is generally expected to be done by a city-licensed contractor.
Documents you may need
- State electrical permit applicationrequired
- Panel/service rating and equipment details (amperage, location)required
- Load calculation for service upgradesSometimes required
- Electrical permit application through Aurora4Bizrequired
- Panel or service rating and equipment details (amperage, location)required
- Load calculation for the service upgradeSometimes required
- Licensed electrical contractor on file with the Aurora Building DivisionLikely required
Possible inspections
- Electrical service/rough inspection (often coordinated with the utility for a service disconnect)
- Final electrical inspection
- Electrical rough or service inspection (coordinate the utility disconnect and reconnect)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Aurora?
- Yes. In Colorado, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Aurora is no exception. Replacing or upgrading an electrical service panel requires a permit and inspection through Colorado's State Electrical Board, and the work must be done by a state-licensed electrician or by the homeowner on the home they occupy. A utility disconnect and reconnect usually must be scheduled with the power company, and grounding, bonding, and AFCI/GFCI requirements must meet the adopted NEC edition. Aurora requires an electrical permit to replace or upgrade a service panel, applied for through the Aurora4Biz portal (aurora4biz.org). Aurora reviews electrical work under the National Electrical Code and is transitioning to the 2026 NEC for applications received on or after August 1, 2026, so confirm which edition applies to your permit. The utility disconnect and reconnect with Xcel Energy usually must be scheduled separately, and electrical work is generally expected to be done by a city-licensed contractor.
- Who issues the permit in Aurora?
- The local building department for Aurora handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.