Linking generator permits for gas & electric

[Debbie R]

I would be interested in hearing how building departments handle the gas & electric permits for home generator work. We have so many that are not being done by the same companies and therefore the permits are not finaled out at the same time. We are trying to require that they are, but keeping tabs on them when they are filed by contractor name is very difficult and requires a lot of researching time to catch them up. Sometimes one of the trades permits isn't even pulled and we have to go after the homeowner to do it after the fact.
I've heard some jurisdictions require the 1st permit to pay for both of them, but how is that fair to make a contractor pay for the other contractor's permit, especially if they aren't licensed for both of the trades? I'm hoping to hear some ideas that won't require us to turn our filing system (still paper) upside down. Our permit software (BAI) is a bit antiquated and we do not even have the online version of it.

 

[mattsharon]

That’s a great discussion point — and we’ve seen similar challenges come up on many of our residential and light commercial generator projects across different jurisdictions.

At Tejjy Inc., we often find that the main issue isn’t with compliance itself, but with permit coordination between multiple trades (typically electrical and gas). When different contractors handle separate scopes, the timelines for closing out each permit rarely align — and that can definitely slow down final approvals.

A few strategies we’ve seen work well in practice include:

• Linking both trade permits under one project reference or address – even if the contractors are different. That way, when one permit is opened or finalized, it automatically flags the status of the related one.
• Adding a “permit pairing” checklist to the application or inspection form – ensuring both gas and electrical permits are verified before final inspection.
• Requiring project-level coordination documentation – we sometimes help clients prepare a combined scope narrative that identifies which contractor is responsible for each trade. This helps building departments keep oversight without penalizing the wrong party.

For departments still using paper-based systems or older software (like BAI), we completely understand the limitations. A simple cross-reference log or spreadsheet can go a long way — something our team has helped set up for clients who needed manual tracking support before moving to a digital platform.

From our perspective, the goal is fairness and efficiency — making sure contractors only pay for their trade, but both scopes are still clearly linked for inspection and record purposes.

If you’d ever like insights on how BIM or permit coordination tools can streamline this in the future, our team would be happy to share a few workflow examples that have worked well for municipal and design clients.

Best Regards,
Matt Sharon

 

[Tracey Norris]

We require the main contractor to provide a subcontractor card at the time of permitting. If the subcontractor’s company name is not yet known, “TBD” may be entered temporarily until the information is available and can be updated.

 

[mantis]

I've heard some jurisdictions require the 1st permit to pay for both of them, but how is that fair to make a contractor pay for the other contractor's permit, especially if they aren't licensed for both of the trades?

Won't they just recoup their costs from the homeowners? I believe that's what happens in my jurisdiction. The city charges the contractor, then the contractor passes the fee along to the homeowner. It's probably the easiest way to manage your issue.

 

[Tracey Norris]

We require the main contractor to provide a subcontractor card, which allows the electrical and/or gas subcontractor to be attached to the main permit.

This keeps all related work together under one permit

 

[Renee Reynolds]

Our permit system allows us to preset dependencies between permits. For example, we require that an electrical permit be issued before the Mechanical permit can be approved.

When a company applies for the Mechanical permit and we see there is no electrical permit, we place a hold on the Mechanical until the electrical permit is obtained. The hold message is sent to the Mechanical contractor or applicant, encouraging them to coordinate with their sub-electrician to secure the electrical permit.
We also automatically schedule the electrical inspection alongside the Mechanical inspection. The electrician requests their own inspection, and we schedule the Mechanical inspection at the same time. In our jurisdiction, electricians must call in their own inspections, but Mechanical permits can be scheduled by anyone.

Although it doesn't happen often, sometimes the electrical permit is ordered first. In that case, we place a hold on the electrical permit until the Mechanical permit is secured. Occasionally, the electrical permit may have an incorrect description, which can cause confusion about whether the work is mechanical; however, this is rare. Overall, our permit system facilitates simple lookup and maintains checks and balances. There is a certain element of just having to remember that this is the process as well.