Department of Community Services

Electrical Inspections

How to Obtain an Electrical Permit

There are two ways a homeowner may obtain an electrical permit to do work on their homes.  They may hire an electrical contractor who will obtain the permit for them or, if they wish to do their own wiring, they must first attend our office to write the electrical test to determine whether they have sufficient knowledge to undertake the wiring of their residence.  Once they have passed the test, they may complete the application for an electrical permit. Please note: A homeowner may only wire their own principal residence.  If the home or any portion of the residence is being used as a rental unit, only a qualified electrical contractor can do the electrical work. The Electrical Code Simplified book can be obtained at hardware and book stores provides information that will be helpful in passing the test.
 
Upon request, homeowners will be given a written test to determine whether they have sufficient knowledge to undertake the wiring of his/her residence.

Electrical Inspections

After receiving their permit to carry out electrical wiring, Homeowners can call for an inspection once they have completed the rough in wiring, the service wiring and the final finish wiring.  Please be advised, we require 72 business hours notice prior to the date the inspection is being requested.

How to Register as a Contractor

Anyone wishing to become an electrical contractor in Yukon can fill out the application forms. Copies of qualifications as an electrician and a bond in the prescribed amount must accompany this document.  If you wish to unregister, submit a letter to the Electrical Inspections program area in the Building Safety office; after we have verified all permits have been finalized, a letter will be sent to your bank advising the contractor’s bond can be released. 

The following check list will take you through the steps to becoming a Yukon Electrical Contractor:

  1. Fill out the Application to become an Electrical Contractor.
  2. Provide a letter to your bank in our format and procure a bond or surety for $1000.00.
  3. Obtain a letter from your bank on bank letterhead stating that you have obtained the required bonding and the amount of the bond is hypothecated to the Chief Electrical Inspector.
  4. Provide documentation or proof that you are a qualified journeyperson.

 How to Complete Authorization Form

Electrical Contractors are to fill out the authorization forms in their entirety. Declarations are to be signed by the Authorized Representative listed on file at the Electrical Inspections program area in the Building Safety office. Blank copies of Authorization forms may also be picked up by electrical contractors at Building Safety.

  1. Always complete the entire top portion of the form.
  2. Use check boxes to show the portion of work being declared (ie Rough-in – check box and insert date).
  3. Call the Building Safety office to obtain the Authorization Number and insert on form.
  4. Sign and date form.
  5. Submit white copy to the Electrical Inspection department at Building Safety (can be mailed, faxed or hand delivered).
  6. The pink copy is to be forwarded to the Utility Company if you require a hookup of the service.

Temporary Electrical Service Permits

Homeowners may apply for a temporary electrical construction service permit to build their dwelling. NOTE:  If the homeowner is hiring an electrical contractor to do the work, the contractor will apply for the permit for the entire job (ie installing temporary service and wiring residence.

Temporary services are for a three month period and extra fees are applicable for each three month period after that.  The steps to complete the process are as follows:

  1. Apply for temporary electrical permit and pay fee of $25.00 (covers the three month period).
  2. Install the temporary service.
  3. Call Electrical Inspector to inspect installation of temporary service.
  4. When inspected, a connect permit will be sent to the Utility Company by the Electrical Inspector informing them the service is ready for connection.
  5. If after the initial three month period, construction has not reached the stage where the service can be mounted to the dwelling, the applicant must renew the permit for a further three month period for an additional cost of $25.00 (applicants may renew temporary permits for up to one year in three month increments).

 Yukon Electrical Protection Act and Regulations

http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/elpr.pdf

http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/regs/oic1992_017.pdf

Notice About Warranties

It is now becoming extremely important that consumers fill out and send in the warranty information cards supplied with any electrical product purchased. The information is one way the manufacturer can notify the consumer should any problems arise with the safety or malfunction of the electrical product or appliance. If the manufacturer does not have the contact information of the consumer there will be no way to inform the consumer of a product recall regarding a potentially dangerous or lethal situation.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please call the Chief Electrical Inspector in the Building Safety office @ 667-5485.