Serving Pasadena and Altadena from San Dimas
Commercial Electrician in Pasadena, CA
Tenant improvements in historic buildings, office and medical suites, and new or upgraded services planned around Pasadena Water and Power’s requirements. Licensed, insured and available 24/7.
Call (877) 960-1122 · Send Plans for a Bid
CA License #1105569 · Bonded & Insured · 24/7 Emergency Service · HQ 433 S Cataract Ave, San Dimas
Pasadena Runs Its Own Power, and Its Own Process
Pasadena isn’t an Edison town. Electricity inside city limits comes from Pasadena Water and Power (PWP), the city-owned utility, and PWP has its own rules for new and upgraded services. Those rules shape design, cost and schedule:
- Meter spot first. New services and panel upgrades start with a meter-spot request to PWP’s Electric Service Planning group, followed by a quote for any utility work.
- Transformers on private property. PWP requires provisions for a city-owned transformer on private property for new or upgraded services over 200 amps single-phase or over 100 amps three-phase. On a commercial job, that can mean finding room for a pad or vault early in design.
- Two inspections. PWP inspects the new panel and conduit installation, and the city’s Building and Safety Division does the final electrical inspection.
- PWP unlocks the meter. Only PWP may unlock a meter for an upgrade, and the utility charges a tampering fee if anyone else does.
Once all clearances are in, PWP says it energizes large secondary and commercial services within 21 business days, a window we put in the schedule from day one.
Commercial Work Across Pasadena
Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District
Restaurant, retail and office turns in older and historic buildings along Colorado Blvd. These often need a new service and distribution routed with respect for the building, and exterior changes can trigger extra review. Tenant improvement electrical →
South Lake Ave and the medical corridor
Office and medical suite turns near South Lake Ave and the Huntington Hospital area: equipment circuits, emergency lighting, lighting controls and data. Network solutions →
Lamanda Park and East Colorado Blvd
Light-industrial, flex and creative-office buildings on the city’s east side, where tenants need three-phase equipment feeds, panel upgrades and better lighting. Power distribution →
Permits: The Pasadena Permit Center
For addresses inside city limits, electrical permits come from the Building and Safety Division of the Planning & Community Development Department, through the Permit Center at 175 N. Garfield Ave. New construction, tenant improvements and additions must be submitted online, and simple subtrade permits can be pulled through the city’s online portal. Pasadena also requires contractors to hold a City of Pasadena business license before a permit is issued. We take care of the license, the submittal and the inspection requests.
Altadena Is a Different Jurisdiction
Altadena, just north of Pasadena, is unincorporated Los Angeles County. Its building permits come from LA County Public Works, not the Pasadena Permit Center, and its electricity comes from Southern California Edison, not PWP. That includes Eaton Fire rebuilds, which follow the county’s permit process and SCE’s service process. If your address says “Pasadena” but sits outside city limits, we sort out the jurisdiction and utility before we bid.
Recent Work: Links 52, Upland
Our named projects are east of Pasadena. We wired the Links 52 indoor golf venue tenant improvement in Upland, which has since closed: a commercial space converted to a new hospitality use, much like the changes of use in Pasadena’s older buildings.
Pasadena Homes
Pasadena’s older Craftsman and period homes often still have small services and outdated wiring. We help homeowners with panel and service upgrades through PWP’s process, rewiring done with care for original finishes, and Level 2 EV chargers. House rewiring →
Services in Pasadena
- Tenant improvement electrical: historic storefronts, offices and medical suites
- Power distribution: new and upgraded PWP services
- Electrical panel upgrades: commercial and residential
- Lighting upgrades: LED and energy-code controls
- House rewiring: Craftsman and period homes
- Troubleshooting & diagnostics: 24/7 emergency calls
- All capabilities →
Pasadena Areas We Serve
Old Pasadena · Playhouse District · South Lake Ave · Civic Center & Convention Center area · Huntington Hospital area · Caltech area · Arroyo Parkway · East Colorado Blvd · Lamanda Park · Hastings Ranch · East Pasadena & Altadena (unincorporated)
Nearby Cities
Los Angeles County service area · Arcadia · El Monte · Azusa · Glendora · All California service areas →
Pasadena Electrical FAQ
Who provides electricity in Pasadena?
Pasadena Water and Power (PWP), the City of Pasadena’s municipal utility, provides electricity inside city limits. Unincorporated Altadena, just north of the city, is served by Southern California Edison.
Does PWP require a transformer on my property for a service upgrade?
For new or upgraded services over 200 amps single-phase or over 100 amps three-phase, PWP requires provisions for a city-owned transformer on private property. We plan the space for it early in design.
Who issues electrical permits in Pasadena?
The Building and Safety Division of the Planning & Community Development Department, through the Permit Center at 175 N. Garfield Ave. Contractors also need a City of Pasadena business license.
How long does PWP take to energize a new commercial service?
PWP states that once all clearances are obtained, it energizes large secondary and all commercial services within 21 business days. We build that into the project schedule.
Is Altadena handled by the City of Pasadena?
No. Altadena is unincorporated Los Angeles County, so permits come from LA County Public Works and electricity comes from Southern California Edison.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency electrical service in Pasadena?
Yes. Call (877) 960-1122 any time. For a utility outage, contact PWP as well.
Is Left Coast Electric licensed?
Yes. We hold California License #1105569, are bonded and insured, and obtain the City of Pasadena business license the Permit Center requires before pulling permits.
Have a Pasadena Building That Needs Power?
Send the plans for a clear, itemized bid with the PWP steps already in the schedule. Emergency? Call now.
Call (877) 960-1122 · Send Plans for a Bid
CA License #1105569 · Bonded & Insured · 24/7 Emergency Service · HQ 433 S Cataract Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773
