Tampa EV Charger Permits: Step-by-Step for Hillsborough County & City of Tampa

Installing a Level 2 home charger (or adding commercial chargers) in the Tampa Bay area almost always requires an electrical trade permit and a final inspection. Tampa Electric (TECO) also advises pulling a permit with your jurisdiction before installation.

First things first: Your permitting path depends on whether your property sits inside City of Tampa limits (use the City’s Accela portal) or in unincorporated Hillsborough County or other municipalities (use HillsGovHub).

Do I really need a permit for an EV charger?

Yes. A Level 2 charger adds a dedicated 240-V circuit and higher continuous load—work that requires a permit and inspection for safety and code compliance (Florida Building Code/National Electrical Code). TECO explicitly notes that you or your electrician must obtain a permit and pass inspection.

Which jurisdiction am I in?

• City of Tampa (inside city limits): Apply and schedule inspections in the Tampa Accela Citizen Access portal.
• Unincorporated Hillsborough County (or most areas outside the city): Apply in HillsGovHub (the County’s online permitting system).

If you’re unsure, your electrician can confirm from your address or you can contact the City/County help desks listed on those pages.

Path A — City of Tampa (inside city limits)

What permit do I need?

For most homes, use a Residential Electric Trade Permit (no plan review). The City’s residential electrical page lists the trade permit and inspection types (e.g., ELE-Final). Commercial projects use Commercial Electrical permits.

How to apply (homeowner or contractor)

1. Create/Log in to Accela Citizen Access. Accela
2. Select Residential → Electric Trade Permit and complete the application (scope, location, contractor or owner-builder info). City of Tampa
3. Upload any required docs (e.g., simple electrical scope; panel rating and proposed breaker size; one-line if requested).
4. Pay fees. See the City’s permit fee schedule (note: Florida requires a state surcharge of 2.5% of permit value or $4 minimum).
5. Schedule inspection after install (often ELE-Final). Your contractor typically does this in Accela.

Helpful: The City offers Permit Navigator (PermitNav) to help residents identify needed permits before applying.

Owner-builder note: The City’s electrical permit requirements outline when a homeowner can pull their own permit (for a 1- or 2-family, owner-occupied dwelling) and the identification needed at the permit center. Most homeowners still prefer using a licensed EC.

Path B — Hillsborough County (outside City limits)

What permit do I need?

Use the County’s online system, HillsGovHub, for building and sub-trade permits (electrical). The County centralizes applications, status checks, and inspections there.

How to apply

1. Create/Log in to HillsGovHub. hcfl.gov
2. Choose the appropriate Electrical trade permit (residential or commercial) and complete the application. The County’s permitting pages explain that most building/sub-trade permits are submitted online.
3. Upload required documents (contractor license/insurance; scope; panel rating and proposed load; drawings if requested).
4. Pay fees and track review/inspections in HillsGovHub.

Commercial installs: The County lists commercial electrical submittal basics (FBC-compliant plans digitally signed/sealed, and a Notice of Commencement recorded before first inspection). Your EC or design team will handle this.

Inspections: what to expect

• Residential (typical): A final electrical inspection (e.g., ELE-Final) to verify conductor sizing, breaker/gfci where applicable, labeling, working clearances, and proper mounting. City language explicitly references ELE-Final for residential electrical; the County schedules through HillsGovHub.
• Commercial: May include rough and final electrical inspections, ADA/parking/signage compliance checks, and in some cases zoning/parking reviews. (City and County provide separate commercial electrical guidance.)

Fees & timelines (what’s typical)

• Fees vary by jurisdiction and project size; use the City’s fee estimator for in-city work. All Florida permits include the state building permit surcharge.
• Timelines: Trade permits for straightforward residential work commonly move quickly once submitted correctly; schedule the inspection after install. (Neither agency posts guaranteed timelines—build buffer into your schedule.)

ADA, signage & striping (commercial sites)

If you’re adding public-facing chargers, plan for ADA access, signage, and striping consistent with site plan/zoning requirements. Tampa’s commercial electrical page covers the permit; your design team should address layout, accessibility, and circulation in submittals.

Utility coordination (TECO)

Permitting is handled by the jurisdiction, not TECO—but TECO reminds customers that permits and inspections are required before energizing service for EVSE work. Your licensed electrician coordinates with TECO only if panel/service upgrades require utility involvement.

Quick homeowner checklist

• Confirm jurisdiction (City of Tampa vs Hillsborough County).
• Hire a licensed electrical contractor (or proceed as owner-builder if qualified).
• Apply for the Electrical Trade Permit online (Accela or HillsGovHub).
• Install charger after permit issuance.
• Pass final inspection (e.g., ELE-Final) and keep permit records.

Pro tips from EV Pro Solutions

• Don’t skip the permit. It protects safety, insurance, and resale—TECO backs this up. tampaelectric.com
• Panel capacity matters. If space or capacity is tight, we can explore load management or right-sizing the circuit instead of a full panel upgrade.
• Document everything. Save your permit card, inspection approval, and equipment specs for warranty and home sale packets.

Useful links

• City of Tampa – Residential Electrical Trade Permits & Inspections (what to apply for; ELE-Final)
• City of Tampa – Accela Portal (apply/schedule/track)
• City of Tampa – Fees & State Surcharge
• City of Tampa – Permit Navigator (PermitNav)
• Hillsborough County – HillsGovHub (apply/schedule/track)
• Hillsborough County – Permits overview
• Hillsborough County – Commercial electrical permit requirements (for business installs)
• TECO – Installing a Charger (permits & inspections required)