Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Katy?
Yes. In Texas, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Katy is no exception.
A panel upgrade or service change requires an electrical permit and, in cities like Houston, is issued only to a registered master electrician. Homeowners doing their own work usually must demonstrate competency to the city. The utility often must disconnect and reconnect power, which the inspection release coordinates. Confirm the process with your local building department and utility. Katy Code Sec. 3.02.352 requires an electrical permit before any change is made to electric wiring or apparatus, and Sec. 3.02.354 bars turning on current until a certificate of satisfactory inspection is issued. Katy's electrical fee for a meter loop and service is $10 up to 200 amps plus $0.15 for each additional amp, plus the $30 application fee (Appendix A, Sec. A4.001(f)). Katy adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code (Code Sec. 3.02.331).
Get the answer for your exact project
Answer a few questions to see the permits, documents and inspections that may apply in Katy.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationRequired
- Licensed master electrician informationLikely required
- Load calculation or one-line diagramSometimes required
- Electrical permit application signed by the master electricianLikely required
- City of Katy contractor registration for the electrical contractor ($200 per year, with $300,000 general liability insurance naming the city)Likely required
Possible inspections
- Rough electrical inspection
- Final electrical inspection
- Electrical service inspection
- Certificate of satisfactory inspection before power is restored
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Katy?
- Yes. In Texas, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Katy is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Katy?
- The local building department for Katy 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.