USEB cable is no longer an option for feeding any circuits. Electrical cables and gas lines need to be separated.

For more information, read our Residential Detached Garage Power Supply guide.

Requests for electrical services greater than 100 amps in residential areas must be reviewed by City of Lethbridge Electric Design to ensure that the required infrastructure is in place to support the upgraded service.

Depending on the area, it may be necessary to pay a flat upgrade fee of $600 to provide the upgraded service to the location. This fee is in addition to the electrical permit fee. Not all residential locations need these upgrades.

Solar installations and services greater than 100 amp are separate processes and need separate permits. 

An electrical permit is required for all solar installations.

Homeowners cannot perform solar installation unless they are a certified electrician. A licensed professional contractor must get a permit for this work.

Your solar energy system must be approved by Electric Design. Once your system approved, you will get a signed interconnection agreement form. This document is mandatory for all solar electrical permit applications.

For more information, go to Solar Energy Systems.

These lighting systems are often marketed as do-it-yourself kits that are safe to install by a homeowner. However, the City of Lethbridge has regulations for the installation of soffit lighting:

• An electrical permit is required for all soffit lighting installations
• The work must be done by an electrical contractor with a City of Lethbridge business license
• If the system is already installed, you must get a passed electrical inspection report

Yes – homeowners can do their own electrical work if:

• They are knowledgeable about electrical wiring and code rules
• They are performing the electrical work themselves
• They own and live at the property where the work is being done

A homeowner cannot get a permit to cover work done by someone else. If a homeowner is not performing the electrical work themselves, they should hire a licensed contractor to get permits and do the work.

Homeowner permits cannot be issued for:

• Wiring in a new or existing home for resale or rental purposes
• Installation of the main electrical service or solar unless the owner is a certified electrician

For a list of electrical permit requirements, download our Basic Requirements for Homeowner Electrical Permits guide.

Electrical permits can expire, so it’s important to plan your project in advance to avoid delays or cancellations.

Permits expire when:

• Work has not started within 90 days of permit issuance
• Work has been suspended or abandoned for 120 after it was started

Permits can be closed if there is no entry arranged or permitted. Work covered by the permit must be completed within 365 days.

All electrical permits require a rough-in and final inspection.

A rough-in inspection takes place while all rough wiring is visible and:

• All cables and outlet boxes are installed and secured in place
• Grounding conductors are terminated in outlet boxes
• Splices are completed

A final inspection happens once the rough-in is passed and:

• Switches, plugs, etc. are connected and secured to outlets and outlet boxes, with covers on
• Branch circuits are installed in the breaker panel, connected to breakers, and labelled correctly

The most recent edition of the Canadian Electrical Code is available for free on the Government of Alberta’s website.