Residential Electrical Services Permit Requirements

To Schedule Utility Disconnect and Reconnect, contact: ampinspect@alamedamp.com

Code Sections

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) Regulations

CEC Articles 110, 230, 250, 300, 344, 404

CPC 1211

Permits & Inspections

  • A permit is required for installation, modification, removal, or replacement of an electrical service.
  • Do not cover any portion of the installation until inspected and instructed: “Okay to cover”.
  • Modification of any portion of the existing service requires a complete service upgrade to the current code. (AMP)

Permit Application Required Details

  • Service size. ≤ 200 amps for R3 single fam dwellings may use Express permitting. All others must apply for a standard permit and provide load calcs.
  • Service entrance conductor size and type.
  • Conduit size and type.
  • Number of meters with each corresponding disconnect size.
  • Panel make and model number.
  • IMPORTANT: the service panel must be selected from the EUSERC-compliant list attached.

Protection of Service Entrance (SE) Conductors

  • Main service disconnect shall have a rating not less than the calculated load.
  • SE conductors shall be sized based on the busbar rating of the service meter main panel.
  • All services supplying dwelling units shall be provided with surge-protection devices. CEC 230.67

General Requirements

  • Each service shall have only one disconnecting means unless the requirements of CEC 230.71(B) are met.
  • (B) Two to Six Service Disconnecting Means
    • Two to six service disconnects shall be permitted for each service permitted by 230.2 or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5.
    • The two to six service disconnecting means shall be permitted to consist of a combination of any of the following:
      1. Separate enclosures with a main service disconnecting means in each enclosure
      2. Panelboards with a main service disconnecting means in each panelboard enclosure
      3. Switchboard(s) where there is only one service disconnect in each separate vertical section where there are barriers separating each vertical section
      4. Service disconnects in switchgear or metering centers where each disconnect is located in a separate compartment
    • Informational Note No. 1: Metering centers are addressed in UL 67, Standard for Panelboards.
    • Informational Note No. 2: Examples of separate enclosures with a main service disconnecting means in each enclosure include but are not limited to motor control centers, fused disconnects, circuit breaker enclosures, and transfer switches that are suitable for use as service equipment.
  • Meter locations shall be accessible and outdoors. All electrical meter installations shall be located to be accessible to authorized representatives of AMP for installation, removal, reading, testing, and inspection. AMP
  • LBs or gutters shall not be installed between the service panel and the weatherhead or vault. AMP
  • Conduit Type and Size: Rigid conduit sized per CEC. Min of ≥ 1.25” and threaded. (NO COMPRESSION FITTINGS) CEC 230.50
  • The service panel shall be installed ≥ 10” from the corner of the house to the center of the meter. AMP
  • Drip loops are required. CEC 230.54.F.
  • The weatherhead shall be installed ≥ 8” beyond the edge of the roof. AMP
  • Double conduit straps are required at the corner adjacent to the weatherhead. AMP
  • A conduit riser clamp must be installed within 3’ of all conduit terminations. CEC 344.30
  • Conductors shall be ≥ 18” proud of the weatherhead. AMP
  • The service panel must be ≥ 3’ from the gas riser & meter. AMP
  • Max breaker height is ≤ 6’7”. CEC 404.8
  • Panel circuits must be labeled. CEC 110.22.A
  • There shall be no gate between the street and the meter. AMP
  • All conduits below grade require duct seal. CEC 300.5.G
  • Meter height: 48”-66” or 72”-75” (driveway) from the centerline of the meter to the standing surface. Where the meter location does not meet the minimum height clearances, protective bollards shall be installed. AMP

Working Space

  • The meter shall be ≥ 3' from the property line. AMP
  • A level standing surface with a clear and unobstructed working space must be provided and maintained in front of each metering installation. The working space must have a width of ≥ 30” and a height of ≥ 75” for individual field-installed meter panels (78” minimum from the standing surface for all other installations).
  • The working space must extend ≥ 36” in front of the service panel and be free from all obstructions and vegetation.

Residential Service Size Requirements and Limitations

Minimum Service:

  • Single family: 100 amps.
  • Multi-family: 60 amps.
  • Attached & detached ADUs: 100 amps each.

Size Limitations:

  • ≤ 200 amps: No restrictions. Express permitting is allowed.
  • > 200 amps and R2 multifamily: Apply for a standard permit and requires load calcs.

Grounding and Bonding

  • #4 rebar or bare copper UFER (20’) or 8’ x 5/8” rod with #4 copper. CEC 250.52.3.2
  • GEC shall be protected. CEC 250.64.B.
  • Ground rod shall be placed as close as practicable to the service. CEC 250.30.A.4
  • All metallic piping systems shall be bonded. CPC 1211
  • #6 copper cold water bond shall be installed outside & accessible. AMP

Service Overhead Clearances CEC 230.24

  • ≥ 8’ above roofs < 4:12 pitch.
  • ≥ 3’ above roofs ≥ 4:12 pitch.
  • ≥ 18” at eaves.
  • ≥ 18’ above nonresidential driveway.
  • ≥ 10’ above walkways.
  • ≥ 12’ above driveways.
  • ≥ 18’ above roadway.

EUSERC Approved Panels

If your EUSERC panel is not listed below then contact Reynaldo Bascara (bascara@alamedamp.com) at AMP for approval. 

EATON Catalog No:

  • 1MBE1428B100BS
  • CMBE1212L200BS
  • CMBE24L125BTS
  • CMBE24L200BTS
  • CMBE3242B150BS
  • CMBE3242B200BS
  • CMBE3242B225BS
  • CMBE4242B200BTS
  • CMBE88B150BTS
  • CMBE88B200BTS
  • CMBEB150BTS
  • CMBEB200BTS
  • CMBER88B150BTS
  • MBE1212L200BTS
  • MBE1224B100BTS
  • MBE1224B100TS
  • MBE1224B125BTS
  • MBE1224B125TS
  • MBE1224PV100BTS
  • MBE1428B100BS
  • MBE2040B150BTS
  • MBE2040B200BS
  • MBE2040B200BTS
  • MBE2040B200TS
  • MBE2040B225BTS
  • MBE2040BH200BTS
  • MBE2040PV200BTS
  • MBE24L125BTS
  • MBE24L200BTS
  • MBE4040B200BSH
  • MBE4040B200BTS
  • MBE4040PV200BTS
  • MBE48B150BTS
  • MBE48B200BTS
  • MBE816P200TS
  • MBE816P200TSCU
  • MBE88B200BTS
  • MBEB200BTS
  • MBER48B150BTS
  • MBER48B200BTS

GENERAL ELECTRIC Catalog No:

  • TSF420CSCU
  • TSM1212CSCU
  • TSM1610CSCU
  • TSM1612CSCU
  • TSM2020CSCU
  • TSM2022USCU
  • TSM2420US42
  • TSM3220USCU
  • TSM3220UWCU
  • TSM3222USCU
  • TSM4020UWCU

SIEMENS Catalog No:

  • MC0816B1200ESN
  • MC0816B1200EST
  • MC0816S1200SCT
  • MC1212L1200SED
  • MC1224B1100ESC
  • MC1224B1125ESC
  • MC2040B1200ESC
  • MC2040B1200SED
  • MC2442B1200ESC
  • MC2442B1200ESV
  • MC2442B1225ESC
  • MC2442S1200SC
  • MC3040B1200SECW
  • MC3040S1200SC
  • MC3042B1200SED
  • MC3042B1225SED
  • MC3042B1400SC
  • MC4040B1200SECW
  • MC4040S1200SC
  • MM2020B100ESC
  • MM2020L1125ESC
  • MM2020L1200ESC
  • MM2020B1200ESC

SQUARE D Catalog No:

  • SC1624M100S
  • SC1624M125S
  • SC2040M200C
  • SC2040M200PS
  • SC2040M200S
  • SC3042M200PS
  • SC40M200S
  • SC42M200PS
  • SC816F150PS
  • SC816F200PS
  • SU2040M200C

 

Revised: May 29, 2025

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