If you’re planning electrical work in your Nassau County home or business, chances are you’ll need a permit — and the process can vary depending on where you live. This guide breaks it all down so you stay compliant and avoid costly delays.
⚡️ When Is a Permit Required in Nassau County?
Most towns and villages in Nassau County require a permit for any work that modifies or adds to your electrical system, including:
- Installing or upgrading an electrical panel
- Installing an EV charger or generator
- Adding new circuits or outlets
- Wiring an addition, shed, or finished basement
- Replacing knob and tube or aluminum wiring
- Installing outdoor lighting or pool wiring
If the work affects the safety, capacity, or structure of your electrical system, a permit is usually required.
🏘️ Town-by-Town Permitting Notes
- Atlantic Beach – Village Building/Permits Dept. (Building permits & electrical permit application) (official site)
- Bellmore – Town of Hempstead Building Department (official site)
- Brookville – Town of Oyster Bay Building Division (official site)
- East Williston – Village of East Williston Building Dept. (see municipal code list)
- Garden City – Village of Garden City Building Dept. (official site)
- Hewlett – Hewlett may fall under Town of Hempstead (Hempstead Building Dept.)
- Island Park – Village of Island Park Building Dept. (official site)
- Jericho – Town of Oyster Bay Building Division (official site)
- Lawrence – Village of Lawrence Building Dept. (see municipal code list)
- Lido Beach – Town of Hempstead Building Department (official site)
- Long Beach – City of Long Beach Building Dept. (official site)
- Lynbrook – Village of Lynbrook Building Dept. (official site)
- Malverne – Village of Malverne Building Dept.(see municipal code list)
- Manhasset – North Hempstead Building Dept. (official site)
- Massapequa – Town of Oyster Bay Building Division (official site)
- Massapequa Park – Village of Massapequa Park Building Dept. (official site)
- Merrick – Town of Hempstead Building Department (official site)
- Mineola – Incorporated Village of Mineola Building Dept. (official site)
- Muttontown – Village of Muttontown Building Dept. (official site)
- Oceanside – Town of Hempstead Building Department (official site)
- Old Brookville – Village of Old Brookville Building Dept. (official site)
- Old Westbury – Village of Old Westbury Building Dept. (see municipal code list)
- Plainview – Town of Oyster Bay Building Division (official site)
- Point Lookout – Village of Point Lookout Building Dept. (official site)
- Rockville Centre – Village of Rockville Centre Building Dept. (official site)
- Roslyn – Village of Roslyn Building Dept. (official site)
- Roslyn Heights – Town of North Hempstead Building Dept. (official site)
- Seaford – Town of Hempstead Building Department (official site)
- Syosset – Town of Oyster Bay Building Division (official site)
- Upper Brookville – Village of Upper Brookville Building Dept. (official site)
- Valley Stream – Village of Valley Stream Building Dept. (official site)
- Wantagh – Town of Hempstead Building Department (official site)
- Westbury – Village of Westbury Building Dept. (official site)
🧰 What Happens If You Skip the Permit?
Unpermitted electrical work can lead to:
- Failed home inspections when selling your house
- Fines from the local building department
- Insurance denial if an electrical issue causes damage
- Dangerous, non-code-compliant work
Pro tip: If you’re not sure whether your project needs a permit, contact a licensed electrician like Haines Electric — we can handle the paperwork and make sure your job is done right.
💬 FAQ
Any electrical work that modifies wiring, adds circuits, changes load, or impacts the safety of your system usually requires a permit. This includes:
Installing or upgrading an electrical panel
Installing EV chargers or standby generators
Adding outdoor lighting or wiring a pool
Wiring new additions, garages, or basements
Replacing knob and tube or aluminum wiring
In most cases, no. Electrical permits must be pulled by a licensed master electrician registered in the specific township or village. DIY work is not allowed for most residential wiring projects, especially when permits are required.
If you’re replacing an existing switch or outlet one-for-one, no permit is typically required. But if you’re adding new outlets, running new wiring, or doing work in wet locations (bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor), a permit may be needed.
Hire a licensed electrician registered with the town/village
Have them submit an application with a scope of work
Await approval from the building department
Complete the work and schedule an inspection
Some towns require pre-inspections or additional documentation.
Permit fees vary by municipality and job scope. Typical costs:
Minor work (1–2 circuits): $75–$150
Panel upgrades or generators: $150–$300
Full rewires or additions: $300+
You may also pay separate filing fees, inspection fees, or utility coordination fees.
Skipping the permit can lead to:
Failed home inspections when selling
Fines from your local building department
Insurance denial for fire or damage
Unsafe, non-code-compliant work
Your project may need to be redone — at full cost — if it fails post-work inspection.
Virtually all towns and incorporated villages in Nassau County require permits for electrical work. Townships like:
Town of Hempstead
Town of North Hempstead
Town of Oyster Bay
…and villages like Garden City, Mineola, and Long Beach all enforce permit rules.
Use our Town-by-Town Permit Guide above to find direct links to your local building department.
Sometimes. Low-voltage systems (security, data, A/V) may not require a permit, but running new wiring through walls or attics often does. Some towns also require permits for hardwired fire alarms or systems that connect to the panel.
Start with a licensed electrician who knows the local code — like Haines Electric. We’ve pulled permits for thousands of homes across Nassau and can tell you instantly what’s required in your area.
📞 Need Help Navigating Permits?
We’ve pulled thousands of permits across Nassau County and know exactly how to avoid the delays and red tape. Let Haines Electric handle your project from start to final inspection — safely, legally, and efficiently.
