The Electrical Emergency Release Policy is a City of Dallas document that sets out when power may be released to a structure after an emergency, before the electrical inspection is made. It is one of the Dallas permit documents that electrical contractors work with, because the policy ties every release to an electrical permit and an inspection request. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the policy itself is published by the City of Dallas at dallascityhall.com.
Last updated
What is Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX?
The Electrical Emergency Release Policy is the City of Dallas policy stating when power may be released to a structure after an emergency, before an electrical inspection is made. The document is headed "Emergency Release Policy" and carries the Planning and Development letterhead, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75203.
The policy names four kinds of emergency that warrant a power release prior to inspection:
- Vehicular damage
- Storm damage
- Fire damage
- Meter damage
The list is not all-encompassing, and the policy gives no guarantee of a release without inspection. Some services are too large or complicated for this allowance, and the decision is then at the inspector's discretion.
The policy also sets the conditions and the routing. A licensed contractor registered with the City of Dallas must make the request. The structure must be occupied or temporarily vacant because of the outage. The registered electrical contractor must obtain an electrical permit prior to the repair or by the next working day, and must request the inspection. During business hours the district office processes the request; outside business hours the Electrical Chief's office handles it. The policy also covers same-day and after-hours inspections, and set-up releases. It is signed by the Chief Electrical Inspector of the City of Dallas.
Who needs to file Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX?
The main users are electrical contractors: the policy requires that a licensed contractor registered with the City of Dallas make the power release request. It is not written for property owners to request a release on their own.
Conditions the policy attaches to a request:
- The cause must be an emergency such as vehicular, storm, fire or meter damage; other emergencies may be considered because the list is not all-encompassing.
- The structure must be occupied, or temporarily vacant because of the outage.
- The registered electrical contractor must obtain an electrical permit and request the inspection.
Exclusions and limits: no release without inspection is guaranteed, and some services are too large or complicated for this allowance, in which case the inspector decides. Set-up releases are handled separately, by the appropriate field inspector or senior inspector. Property owners and occupants affected by an outage will need a registered contractor to act for them.
When to file Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX
The triggering event is an emergency that cuts power to a structure, such as vehicular, storm, fire or meter damage. The registered electrical contractor must obtain the electrical permit prior to the repair or on the next working day, and must request the inspection.
Where the request goes depends on the time:
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: the request is sent to the appropriate district office for processing.
- Monday through Friday, 4:31 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.: the contractor contacts the Electrical Chief's office directly.
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.: the contractor also contacts the Electrical Chief's office.
The policy sets no processing time.
Documents you need
- An electrical permit, obtained by the registered electrical contractor prior to the repair or on the next working day, with the inspection requested.
How to fill out Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX
Confirm the emergency qualifies
Check that the outage comes from vehicular, storm, fire or meter damage, or a similar emergency. The list is not all-encompassing and no release is guaranteed.
Check the size of the service
Some services are too large or complicated for a release before inspection. In those cases the inspector decides.
Confirm the contractor's registration
The request must come from a licensed contractor registered with the City of Dallas. Owners cannot make it themselves.
Confirm the structure's status
The structure must be occupied, or temporarily vacant because of the outage.
Pick the office for the hour
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., use the district office. Later weekday hours until 10:00 p.m., and weekends and holidays 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., use the Electrical Chief's office.
Obtain the electrical permit
The registered electrical contractor obtains the permit prior to the repair or on the next working day.
Request the inspection
Request the inspection when you obtain the permit. For a same-day inspection, get the release from the district office.
Arrange any fees before inspection
Releases through the Chief's office outside business hours are assessed to the permit. Same-day and after-hours inspection fees are paid before the inspection, in the hours the policy gives.
Review and download the PDF
Review the policy and download or print the PDF from FillingPDF. Then follow the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX
A power release is requested through the district office or through the Electrical Chief's office, depending on the hour; the policy also names the field or senior inspector for set-up releases.
- District office (business hours): Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., requests are sent to the appropriate district office. A release that needs an inspector for a same-day inspection is also obtained from the district office.
- Electrical Chief's office (outside business hours): Monday through Friday 4:31 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., or Saturday, Sunday and holidays 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the electrical contractor contacts the Chief Electrical Inspector, Trey Kneggs, at 214-948-4466, or Assistant Chief Mike Anguiano at 214-948-4472.
- Set-up releases: the request goes to the appropriate field inspector or senior inspector.
Fees apply in three cases. A release requested outside business hours through the Chief's office is assessed to the permit. Same-day inspection fees are paid for each request between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. before the inspection. After-hours or weekend inspections are charged by the hour with a minimum, paid between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. before the inspection. For current amounts, call Planning and Development at (214) 948-4480. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having the owner or occupant request the release; the policy requires a licensed contractor registered with the City of Dallas to make the request.
- Failing to obtain the electrical permit prior to the repair or by the next working day, and to request the inspection.
- Assuming a release without inspection is guaranteed; the policy gives no guarantee, and large or complicated services are at the inspector's discretion.
- Calling the Electrical Chief's office during business hours instead of sending the request to the district office, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Paying a same-day inspection fee outside 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or an after-hours inspection fee outside 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; both must be paid before the inspection is made.
- Requesting a release for a structure that is neither occupied nor temporarily vacant because of the outage.
- Treating the four listed damage types as the only emergencies; the policy says the list is not all-encompassing, but each case remains subject to the inspector.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dallas Electrical Emergency Release Policy?
It is a City of Dallas policy stating when power may be released to a structure before an electrical inspection after an emergency. It lists vehicular, storm, fire and meter damage as qualifying emergencies, and sets who requests the release, when and with what permit.
Who can request an emergency power release in Dallas?
A licensed contractor registered with the City of Dallas must make the request. The structure must be occupied or temporarily vacant because of the outage, and the contractor must obtain an electrical permit and request the inspection.
When do I need to get the electrical permit for an emergency release?
The registered electrical contractor must obtain the electrical permit prior to the repair or on the next working day, and must request the inspection at that time. The policy sets no separate deadline beyond this.
Who do I contact for an emergency release after hours in Dallas?
Contact the Electrical Chief's office directly: Trey Kneggs at 214-948-4466 or Mike Anguiano at 214-948-4472. This covers weekdays 4:31 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Is there a fee for an emergency electrical release in Dallas?
Yes, in some cases. After-hours releases through the Chief's office are assessed to the permit, and same-day or after-hours inspections carry fees paid before the inspection. Call (214) 948-4480 for current amounts.
Is a release without inspection guaranteed?
No. The policy says its list of emergencies is not all-encompassing and no guarantee of a release without inspection is assumed. Services that are too large or complicated are left to the inspector's discretion.
Can I fill out the Electrical Emergency Release Policy online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not request releases, issue permits or contact the City of Dallas; requests follow the city's channels.
Ready to fill out Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX?
Fill out Electrical Emergency Release Policy – Dallas, TX now