Power from LADWP
Upgrading your electrical panel in Los Angeles
In most of Los Angeles the panel job runs through LADBS for the permit and LADWP for the meter. What you ask up front decides how smoothly the two meet.
Confirm which utility you have
LADWP serves most of the city, but a few edge pockets and many neighboring cities are on SCE, so check the bill before you read advice. The steps and the contacts are different. Ask the electrician to name the utility contact they will call and what they will give you for the file. A contractor who works across LADWP and SCE should be able to say how the two differ without looking it up. The utility coordination guide covers the general order of steps.
Decide the size before the permit is filed
The permit and the final panel need to agree on size, so settle the amperage before work starts. If the plan changes mid-job, ask the electrician to correct the paperwork before the final inspection, not after. Describe your future plans too: a charger, heat pump, spa or an ADU. A 200-amp upgrade covers most houses, and the panel upgrade cost page shows the typical SoCal range as of October 2026. LADBS publishes a fee calculator, so ask the electrician which permit lines apply to your scope.
Old panels, hillsides and hot valleys
About 57% of Los Angeles homes were built before 1970, with a median year of 1965, so many panels are decades old. If the home has fuses or cloth-covered cable, expect the electrician to find wiring that needs its own repair. Hillside lots in the Hollywood Hills and Valley foothills often have long overhead service drops, which can raise the cost of any change to the service. Check the meter and service mast page to see when a mast moves.
Valley neighborhoods run hotter than the coast, and several air conditioners on one panel is a common reason to upsize there.
Rebuilds and underground power
Owners rebuilding in Pacific Palisades are being moved to underground power in phases. The city guidance is to install a combination service panel with conduit to the street, which LADWP recommends but does not require. If you are rebuilding anywhere in a fire area, ask the electrician to design for that now. The Los Angeles city page has more local background.
Utility and meter work
Order of steps in LADWP territory (from the LADWP Guide to Electric Service, March 2024): get a Meter Spot Sheet from the ESR before the LADBS inspection; the electrician pulls the LADBS electrical permit and passes the LADBS inspection; LADBS electronically sends a release to LADWP, and the service data on the release (address, main switch size, phase, voltage) must match the permit; LADWP inspects, then schedules the meter and any line work. The guide says to allow several days for the LADBS release to reach LADWP. For single-family service of 320 to 400A, LADWP asks for a Residential Service Planning Information Form. LADWP says to contact an ESR at least two weeks before installing a home charger so it can check the transformer and service lines.
Permit lines that can apply
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minimum electrical permit | $90 for 2 or more items, or 1 item over $55; $55 for 1 item under $55 |
| Permit issuing fee | $23.00 |
| Service, 0 to 200 amps | $16.00 |
| Service, 201 to 600 amps | $34.00 |
| Panelboard or subpanel, 0 to 200 amps | $16.00 |
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Confirm the current amount at the counter.
Questions people ask
How long until LADWP restores power after a panel upgrade?
LADWP does not publish a fixed number. Its guide says to allow several days for the building department's release to reach LADWP after a passed inspection, then LADWP inspects and schedules the meter. Ask your electrician to check that the release matches the permit, since a mismatch is the common reason for a longer wait.
Is there an LADWP rebate for a 200-amp panel?
LADWP does not list a panel-only rebate. Its rebates cover chargers, a dedicated EV meter and used EVs. The charger rebate requires a finaled permit, so a panel done together with a charger can still qualify for that. Do not budget for a panel rebate unless LADWP gives you one in writing for your account.
Can I swap a 100-amp panel for a 200-amp panel without a permit?
No. A panel swap needs an electrical permit from LADBS and a passed inspection. Unpermitted work can block the utility release, and an insurer or buyer can ask for proof later. A licensed C-10 electrician pulls the permit and meets the inspector. Keep the final inspection record with your house papers.
Should I move to underground power when I rebuild in the Palisades?
The city suggests it. For owners who rebuild after the January 2025 fire, the guidance is to install a combination service panel and direct-buried conduit to the street. LADWP recommends it but does not require it. Ask your electrician and the utility what your block's phase and timing will be.
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