Requirements for Inspection Electric and Gas Utilities

Requirements for Inspection of Electric and Gas Utilities

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PG&E Electric and Gas Service Requirements

At the request of PG&E and as per PG&E Greenbook and California Electrical Code 230.85 & 110.9, a PG&E AIC letter will be required for all residential and non-residential electrical service change-outs, upgrades, new, disconnect/reconnect and like for like replacements to obtain a release and "green tag" from your City of Oakland building inspector. Projects must have an issued permit from the City of Oakland before they can obtain an AIC Letter from PG&E. As a reminder, the City of Oakland offers same-day digital electrical permits via our Online Permit Portal. Please have your site-specific AIC letter prior to scheduling a City of Oakland inspection. The request for an AIC letter through the PG&E local office can take up to 3-days, so please plan accordingly and contact PG&E as soon as your electrical permit is issued. Customers should use the link below and will be automatically connected to local service planning or express connection.

Click here to Submit a PG&E Application or call at PG&E Express Connections at 877-743-7782.

1- Contact PG&E and obtain a PG&E application number. 

2- Apply for and obtain City of Oakland permit for Electrical or Gas Service.

3- Obtain AIC Letter from PGE prior to scheduling your inspections for any electrical service related work. 

4- Schedule Inspections (See below for important inspection related information):
 

  • AIC letter Required for all electrical service releases (new, like for like replacements, upgrades, disconnect/reconnect) by PG&E. A green tag will be not issued if a PG&E AIC letter is not provided to the inspector.
  • Working clearances as per California Electrical Code are required. Minimum 30” wide, 36” in front of service dead-front, and from grade to 6 ½ feet must be clear. Clearances are measured to assumed property lines (even if no fence) and other obstructions, including gas meters.
  • AFCI breakers are required in the City of Oakland as per 2022 California Electrical Code 210.12.
  • Service equipment in a “dog-house” is allowed to be maintained and repaired, but not altered. Adding a circuit or wiring is considered an alteration.
  • Subpanels/Fuse boxes in clothes closets or other locations with easily ignitable materials can be maintained and repaired, but not altered. Adding a circuit or wiring is considered an alteration.
  • Are all circuit breakers being used must be compatible with the panel(s) in which they are being installed.

Plan ahead before disconnecting electrical power! Same-day utility release inspections are not possible. Completed work must be ready for inspection no later than 3PM.

Does the proposed location meet all of the California Electrical Code requirements as well as PG&E requirements? For assistance with PGE Requirements please contact PGE. The City of Oakland has no jurisdiction over PG&E requirements.

  • If not sure, once permit is issued an informational inspection may be scheduled PRIOR to commencing work and disconnecting power.

5- If the inspection passes, the City of Oakland will place a Green Tag on the Electrical Panel (no tag needed for Gas Service) and will release the meter to PGE by next day at Noon.

6- Call PGE to have the utility connected by them.
 

If installing, modifying, or removing an Electrical or Gas Service projects must contact PG&E and follow their requirements to obtain service. 
 

Same-Day utility release inspections are not possible. Completed work must be ready for inspection no later than 3PM. Please ensure that project schedules PGE and City of Oakland inspection accordingly. Work must be completed and ready to be energized for City of Oakland to release an electrical meter no later than 3PM.

 

Posted: March 14th, 2019 10:56 AM

Last Updated: February 21st, 2025 10:18 AM

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