General FAQ
Q. Do I have to upgrade/increase my electrical service?
A. Existing electrical services are not required to be upgraded; however, mortgage companies may require a minimum 100-amp, 240-volt service with circuit breakers. Contact Electrical Inspections by calling 410-887-3960, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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Q. Do I have to replace the aluminum wiring throughout my house?
A. Aluminum wiring is not required to be replaced. For further information, contact Electrical Inspections at 410-887-3960, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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Q. Do I need a permit to do electrical work in my own home?
A. A permit (PDF)is required for all electrical work except for persons making minor repairs and replacements to existing wiring in their own home. Generally, this exception applies to replacing an existing switch, receptacle, or light fixture, but not to extending or installing circuit wiring. Working without a permit is a violation and subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.00. Further information can be obtained by calling Electrical Inspections at 410-887-3960, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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Q. Can you recommend an electrical contractor?
A. No, but for inquires concerning licensed electricians contact Electrical Inspections at 410-887-3960, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. You may also visit the web site for Maryland Home Improvement Contractors' License Search.
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Q. Is there a permit for the work that is being done at my neighbor's house?
A. To determine whether a permit has been issued, call Electrical Inspections at 410-887-3960, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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Q. How do I coordinate an inspection time?
A. You and your contractor should coordinate your inspection requests so that they can be provided in a timely manner. To contact your area inspector (PDF)call 410-887-3960, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 and 8 a.m. or between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Further information may be obtained by calling Electrical Inspections at 410-887-3960.
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Contractors' FAQ
Q. When is an electrical permit required?
A. An electrical permit is:
required for all types of wiring and equipment installations (including connecting replacement equipment to existing wiring).
not required for general maintenance such as replacing lamps and ballast or for making minor repairs such as replacing defective switches and receptables.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and more downloadable forms.
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Q. How do I file an electrical permit?
A. An electrical electrical permit application (PDF)
- must be completed by a licensed electrician.
- may be downloaded or obtained from Permit Processing in room 100 in the County Office Building.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and more downloadable forms.
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Q. How do I reciprocate my electrical license to Baltimore County from another local jurisdiction or from the State of Maryland?
A. You may reciprocate your electrical license to Baltimore County from another local jurisdiction or from the State of Maryland by completing (all required information) and submitting a Baltimore County license application (PDF) to the Electrical Board for approval.
- Electrical License Applications may be obtained from the Electrical Inspection Division in room G-21 in the County Office Building.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and more downloadable forms.
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Q. How do I reciprocate my Baltimore County electrical license to another local jurisdiction or to the State of Maryland? What do I need if I would like to mail in my request?
A. To reciprocate your Baltimore County electrical license to another local jurisdiction or to the State of Maryland, we recommend that you call the jurisdiction that you want to reciprocate to for their requirements. Most jurisdictions require a letter of good standing or their own form to be completed by Baltimore County. You may request either by calling Vince Metallo at the Electrical Inspection office at 410-887-3960. The fee is $20.
Mail-in Requests require that active license holders reciprocating to another county from Baltimore County will need the following:
- $20 fee each
- Reciprocal letter and/or forms from the local jurisdiction or from the State of Maryland
- License number
- License holder name
- Name of the county you are reciprocating to
(You may choose to have us mail the letter to you (the active license holder) or the local jurisdiction to which you are reciprocating.)
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and downloadable forms.
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Q. When is it necessary to complete a Resident Agent form?
A. The Baltimore County Electrical Board requests that a Resident Agent form be completed by:
- contractors without a Maryland company or home address and who are seeking to be licensed in Baltimore County.
- contractors who are already licensed in Baltimore County and who change their addresses to out-of-state.
The Resident Agent form may be downloaded or obtained from the Electrical Inspection office.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and downloadable forms.
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Q. How do I change my electrical license information in Baltimore County?
A. An information change form (PDF) must be completed.
- Forward all information changes (including phone numbers) to the Baltimore County Electrical Inspection office.
- Failure to report this information immediately could result in a hold on the issuance of permits.
- This form (PDF) may be obtained by downloading, visiting Electrical Inspections online or from the Electrical Inspection office in room G21 in the County Office Building.
Commonly requested information and forms can be obtained from the Electrical Inspections Forms page.
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Q. How do I schedule an electrical inspection?
A. Calling the Electrical Inspection office at 410-887-3960 between 8 a.m. and 3:25 p.m. with your electrical permit number will, in most cases, allow you to schedule an inspection for the next working day.
- Inspection requests must be scheduled with the secretary between 8 a.m. and 3:25 p.m. by calling 410-887-3960.
- All appointments must be scheduled directly with the district inspector. Inspectors are in the office Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 3 and 3:30 p.m.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and downloadable forms.
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Q. How do I amend or correct information on my existing electrical permit?
A. In most cases you can amend or correct information on existing electrical permits.
- Using your letterhead, you may either fax the information to 410-887-8081 or send the information to the Electrical Inspection office to be reviewed by Vince Metallo.
- The licensed holders must sign all requests.
- Detailed change information must be provided.
- In some cases additional fees (PDF) are required.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and downloadable forms.
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Q. If an electrical service installation requires a "work/with" with BGE, how do I proceed?
A. If an electrical service installation requires a "work/with with BGE, the following steps should be observed:
- Complete as much of the work that can be done prior to the "work/with."
- A "service work/with inspection" must be scheduled with Electrical Inspections at 410-887-3960.
- You must call the inspector prior to the inspection to explain the installation. Inspectors (PDF) can be reached in the office Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 3 and 3:30 p.m. at 410-887-3960.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and downloadable forms.
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Q. Can I call the Electrical Inspection office to meet inspectors on job locations for questions and information concerning job installations?
A. Absolutely. The electrical inspectors (PDF) will meet at job locations or review information in the Electrical Inspections office for those who wish to discuss code (PDF) issues. Please keep in mind that inspectors cannot lay out or design jobs.
- Inspectors are in the office Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 3 and 3:30 p.m. and can be reached at 410-887-3960.
Visit Electrical Inspections online for additional information and downloadable forms.
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Electrical Inspections Electrical Forms / Applications / Information
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Revised February 20, 2008
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