City of Vancouver or Clark County? It changes the permit.
Vancouver is one of the few Washington cities that issues its own electrical permits and does its own electrical inspections, so a job inside the city limits is permitted through the City of Vancouver. Many addresses with a Vancouver mailing address are not inside the city, though. Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, and Felida are unincorporated Clark County, and electrical permits and inspections there go through Washington L&I.
We check which one applies from your street address before the work is scheduled. For a stand-alone job like an EV charger, a hot tub circuit, or a panel change, the permit is a separate electrical permit. When electrical work is part of a remodel or new construction inside the city, it’s covered by the building permit instead. Either way, we handle the permit and the inspection for the work we do. You can read how the city handles it on its permits and inspections page.
EV chargers
Vancouver has plenty of garages and driveways where a Level 2 charger fits well, and just as many townhomes and condos where it doesn’t fit as easily. If your garage is attached or your parking is shared, check your HOA or building rules before you pick a spot, and send us a photo of the panel and the parking area so we can plan the route.
Clark Public Utilities serves Vancouver. Our rebates guide covers the details and its other rebates.
Older panels and new loads
Vancouver’s homes were built in every era, and a hot tub or a Level 2 charger is a big addition for a panel that was sized long ago. If yours is full or hard to service, a panel upgrade may come first. In some homes, a power-sharing device is a simpler way to add a large load, and we explain how that works in our load management guide. When a bigger service means changes at the meter or the service drop, we coordinate with Clark Public Utilities.
Hot tubs
A hot tub needs a dedicated circuit, a disconnect near the tub, and GFCI protection. We do the electrical side only, so your dealer or delivery crew still sets the tub. Try to schedule the electrician before delivery day so the tub isn’t sitting dark while you wait. Our hot tub guide walks through what to have ready.
Other electrical work in Vancouver
We also do lighting, new outlets and GFCI protection, dedicated circuits, and troubleshooting for tripping breakers, dead outlets, and flickering lights. For a heat pump, your HVAC contractor installs the unit and we handle the dedicated circuit and outdoor disconnect. Across the Columbia, we also work in the Portland area.
Nearby
Cascadia Power is based in Ridgefield, and we also serve Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, Longview/Kelso, Portland, and the rest of Southwest Washington and Oregon.
Planning electrical work in Vancouver?
Tell us what you want done and where. We’ll check which permit office applies to your address, look the job over, and give you an estimate you can depend on.
Have a question first? Contact us.