For customers requiring new electrical services to be installed or upgraded, here are the different types of new electric services available from the LADWP. Please click on a tab for more information. If you have already submitted an application for a new service installation, click on Track Service Requests to view the progress of your installation.
Small
Small Electric Service Defined
Services that are 0 – 400 amps single-phase are considered small electric services and will be handled by an Electric Service Representative (ESR).
The first step is to request a Meter Spot. Meter spotting is a free service that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) provides to contractors and homeowners to verify the correct placement of a new electric meter panel. When a contractor or homeowner plans to install a new electric meter panel, they must contact a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) ESR to verify the correct placement prior to performing the work. There may be cases where safety and/or code regulations require the new meter panel to be placed in a different location than the existing. Obtaining a meter spot prior to installing the panel ensures the installer will not have to do the job over.
To request a meter spot for a single family residence, please contact the LADWP Connection Center at (213) 367-6937.
Once contacted, the ESR will schedule a site visit within three to five working days. A form that contains a sketch of the panel location will be left at the jobsite. These can be faxed or emailed to the owner or electrician on request. The homeowner should keep a copy since the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety inspector may ask to see this document before approving the service panel.
Contact an ESR
Click on a link below to find an ESR by region or, if you’re not sure, locate the ESR for your area by clicking on Find the Right Person.
- Valley: North of Mulholland Drive (includes both sides of Mulholland)
- Metro East: East of Vermont (includes both sides of Vermont) and East of the Hollywood Freeway) including Wilmington and San Pedro
- Metro West: West of Vermont, West of the Hollywood Freeway and South of Mulholland Drive
Service Planning Forms
These forms are not required for the following:
- Single family residential service upgrades 200 amps or less, served overhead.
For 320 to 400 amp services or underground fed residences, a Service Planning Information Form along with a plot plan must be mailed, faxed or emailed to an ESR. For 320 residential services requested online, please also submit a site plan and load schedule to the ESR.
For services over 400 amps or three-phase services, please submit a plot plan and a single line electrical diagram along with the Commercial Service Planning Information Form to the appropriate Service Planning Office. These jobs will be processed by a Service Planning Engineer.
You can locate the Service Planning Engineer for your area by clicking on Find the Right Person.
Large
Large Service Installation Defined
Services over 400 amps single phase or any three-phase service are considered large services. These projects require a Service Planning Engineer to review the electrical plans before being approved for service by the LADWP.
Services which require an indoor transformer station or services for housing tract projects of more than five lots will be processed by the LADWP’s Station Design and Tract Design Groups, respectively.
To contact the Station Design Group, call (213) 367-8028. To contact the Tract Design Group, call (213) 367-6098.
The following items must be completed before the LADWP connects a large service and installs the electric meter:
- The submission of plans for the proposed electric service to a Service Planning Engineer. The LADWP engineer will complete the service design and issue a commitment letter in approximately six to ten weeks, depending on the scope of the project (see note 4). The plans must include the following:
- A completed Commercial Service Information Form.
- A plot plan with property lines, street, north arrow, building footprint and the preferred service location.
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A single line electrical drawing of all existing and new electric service equipment.
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All relevant permits and final electrical approval from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). For more information, visit the LADBS website.
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For new electric services, an application must be made at a LADWP Service Center along with payment of related fees and deposits. For more information, call 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397) or visit a Service Center location. Note that customers who are upgrading an existing electric service do not usually need to make an application for service.
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A commitment letter from a Service Planning Engineer which authorizes the connection of the service to the LADWP distribution system. Underground services will include a detailed plan for the installation of all conduit or substructures on private property along with the location of the service equipment.
- After receiving a commitment letter from a LADWP engineer, contact the Electric Service Representative (ESR) referenced in the document. In most cases, the ESR will not go to the site until after the commitment letter is issued by the engineer.
Service Planning Offices across Los Angeles are divided into three regions. Click on a link below to find a Service Planning Engineer by region.
- Valley: North of Mulholland Drive (includes both sides of Mulholland)
- Metro East: East of Vermont (includes both sides of Vermont) and East of the Hollywood Freeway) including Wilmington and San Pedro
- Metro West: West of Vermont, West of the Hollywood Freeway and South of Mulholland Drive
You can locate the Service Planning Engineer for your area by clicking on Find the Right Person.
Service Planning Forms
Station Design
Indoor Transformer Stations
The largest electric services are handled by the Customer Station Design Group. Typically, services for high rise buildings or large industrial complexes require transformers inside the building or in a fenced area on private property.
On-site transformer stations are designed by the Customer Station Design Group of engineers. Normally, these are services for loads above 500 kilovolt-amps (KVA). Note that services supplied from pad mounted transformers or underground utility vaults and manholes on private property are handled by the Service Planning Group.
A full set of electrical plans will be required for Station Design Engineer to begin processing a new or upgraded service request. For more information, download the Guide to Electric Service.
For inquiries on new or upgraded electric services supplied by LADWP transformers inside a building or a fenced area on private property contact LADWP Station Design Group.
- 2633 Artesian Street
Room 270 Los Angeles CA 90031
Tracts / Mobile Homes
The Tract Design Group
New housing tract projects of five or more homes are handled by the Tract Design Group. Typically, electric services in tracts will be supplied from an underground source unless otherwise specified by the tract engineer. Projects of this type take many months to design and coordinate with other agencies. To avoid delays in service, plans should be submitted to the Tract Design Group when the building plans are approved by the City of Los Angeles.
Requests for new and upgraded services at mobile home parks are also processed by the Tract Design Group.
For more information, download the Guide to Electric Service.
For inquiries on new electric services to more five or more homes in a new housing tract or electric service requests for mobile home parks, please contact LADWP Tract Design Group.
- 2633 Artesian Street
Room 210 Los Angeles CA 90031
Telecom
Telecommunication Service Design Group
Electric services for wireless carriers like AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile are handled by the Telecommunication Service Design Group. This group of service engineers also processes service requests for cable television companies like Time Warner Cable.
A set of electrical plans will be required for Telecommunication Service Design Engineer to begin processing a new or upgraded service request. See Customer Submittal Package checklist for the required items for electrical plans.
For new or upgraded electric service requests for telephone, wireless carrier, or cable TV companies, please contact Telecommunication Service Design Group.
- 111 North Hope Street
Room 869 Los Angeles CA 90012
Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
As more and more Angelenos are opting to “drive electric,” the LADWP has launched a new program that seeks to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for the home and workplace, as well as for people on the go. LADWP also continues to foster a seamless integration of EVs into the driving experience throughout Los Angeles while ensuring we accommodate the increase in electrical demand.
Owners of next generation EVs may have to upgrade to a faster Level 2 (240 volt) charging station. Level 2 chargers require a dedicated circuit much like an air conditioner or electric dryer. A service panel upgrade may be needed before the charging station is installed. Contact a licensed electrician or the car dealership to inquire about service assessments. Many dealerships offer a free assessment with a car purchase.
LADWP Electric Service Representatives (ESRs) also provide service assessments from a utility standpoint. While the electrical contractor will examine the wiring past the meter, an ESR will assess the service capacity up to the meter and let the customers know if the LADWP needs to change a transformer or lines to the house. An ESR will also advise customers on the various meter options offered by the LADWP. To avoid delays in service, contact a LADWP ESR at least two weeks before installing a home charging system.
Commercial, public, and multi-family charging stations will require plans. Contact an ESR for more information. A Service Planning Engineer will handle requests for higher voltage charging stations beyond Level 2.
To locate the ESR for your area, go to Find the Right Person
To learn more about the LADWP Electric Vehicle Program, go to Drive Electric
For new or upgraded electric service requests for telephone, wireless carrier, or cable TV companies, please contact Telecommunication Service Design Group.
- 111 North Hope Street
Room 869 Los Angeles CA 90012