Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Highland Park?
Yes. In Illinois, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Highland Park is no exception.
Replacing or upgrading an electrical service panel requires an electrical permit in essentially all Illinois jurisdictions and must meet the adopted National Electrical Code. Most local codes require utility disconnect coordination and grounding/bonding upgrades to current code. Highland Park requires a permit for electrical service and panel work and publishes an Incoming Electrical Service requirement sheet. A service change or panel upgrade must be permitted before work begins. Confirm the current submittal checklist with the Highland Park Building Division. All electrical work must be performed by a State of Illinois licensed electrical contractor registered with the City and carrying the required bond. Service coordination and reconnection go through ComEd. As of applications submitted on or after March 1, 2026, electrical work must comply with the 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted and amended in Title XVII.
Documents you may need
- Electrical load calculationLikely required
- Panel/service equipment spec sheetSometimes required
- Licensed electrical contractor informationLikely required
- Building permit application filed through the City's Civic Access self-service portal, following the City's Incoming Electrical Service requirement sheetrequired
- State of Illinois licensed electrical contractor registered with the City, with contractor license and bond on filerequired
- Load calculation and single-line or panel details for the service upgradeLikely required
Possible inspections
- Rough electrical/service inspection
- Utility coordination for service reconnect
- Final inspection
- Electrical service and rough inspection by the Highland Park Building Division
- Final electrical inspection (utility reconnect coordinated with ComEd)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Highland Park?
- Yes. In Illinois, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Highland Park is no exception. Replacing or upgrading an electrical service panel requires an electrical permit in essentially all Illinois jurisdictions and must meet the adopted National Electrical Code. Most local codes require utility disconnect coordination and grounding/bonding upgrades to current code. Highland Park requires a permit for electrical service and panel work and publishes an Incoming Electrical Service requirement sheet. A service change or panel upgrade must be permitted before work begins. Confirm the current submittal checklist with the Highland Park Building Division. All electrical work must be performed by a State of Illinois licensed electrical contractor registered with the City and carrying the required bond. Service coordination and reconnection go through ComEd. As of applications submitted on or after March 1, 2026, electrical work must comply with the 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted and amended in Title XVII.
- Who issues the permit in Highland Park?
- The local building department for Highland Park 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.