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Renovating: what the Code requires for electrical
Kitchen, bathroom, basement or addition: what has to follow today’s Code, what can stay, and who does what.
In short
What you redo follows today’s Code; what you don’t touch can stay as it is.
- A new branch circuit for outlets must have arc-fault protection, just like in new construction.
- Near water and outdoors, GFCI protection is added.
- A renovation that adds loads raises the panel question: the load calculation answers it.
- Electrical work goes to a licensed contractor, even in your own home.
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What has to follow today’s Code
The Code doesn’t require changing an existing installation that isn’t being touched. But as soon as a circuit is redone, today’s requirements apply.
A new branch circuit for outlets in an existing house must have arc-fault protection, just like in new construction. To add outlets on an old circuit, an arc-fault outlet installed as the first outlet added is enough.
Room by room
| The room | What’s added when the circuits are redone |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | GFCI protection at the counters; at least two branch circuits for the counter outlets, at most two outlets per circuit (2026 Code). |
| Bathroom | GFCI protection. |
| Garage | GFCI protection; in a single dwelling, at least one branch circuit reserved for the garage outlets. |
| Unfinished basement | GFCI protection. |
| Bedrooms and living areas | Arc-fault protection on almost all 120 V outlets. |
The details are in our guides on GFCI and the arc-fault breaker.
Will the panel be enough?
A redone kitchen, a finished basement or an addition add loads. The load calculation tells whether the current panel is enough, whether it only lacks space, or whether it lacks capacity.
Not enough room: a sub panel may be enough. Not enough amps: the main panel has to be replaced, and often the service entrance with it.
Permit and declaration of work
The renovation permit is up to the city, and the rule changes from one to the next. In Laval, replacing a panel and changing the wiring inside walls and ceilings are in the “No permit” column. In Montréal, the City no longer issues permits for electrical work.
On the electrical side, the contractor declares the work to the Régie du bâtiment by the 20th day of the month after it starts, except when it’s included in a service request to Hydro-Québec. The permit and the declaration, when they apply, are our job.
The basement
Before closing the walls, locate the grounding conductor: the Code requires it to be protected against damage.
Also keep one metre clear in front of the panel, from top to bottom, in the basement layout.
A basement unit requires a second Hydro-Québec meter: see our guide to secondary suite electrical work.
Renovating?
Talk to us about the electrical before the walls are closed: the price is in the written quote, free of charge.
Send my quote requestWho does the work
According to the Régie du bâtiment, you don’t need a licence to renovate your single-family house, except for work that concerns the electrical installation: that work must be done by a contractor who holds the appropriate licence.
When the whole house needs rewiring, it’s a different job: see rewiring a house.
Frequently asked questions
Does the whole house have to be brought up to code when renovating?
No. What you redo follows today’s Code; what you don’t touch can stay as it is.
Do I need a permit for electrical renovation work?
It depends on the city: Laval doesn’t require one for a panel or for changing the wiring, Montréal no longer issues any for electrical work. The permit and the declaration, when they apply, are our job.
Will my panel be enough after the renovation?
The load calculation tells you before the work: enough, short of space, or short of capacity.
Can I do the electrical myself during my renovation?
No. The Régie du bâtiment reserves work on an electrical installation to a licensed contractor, even in your own home.
A renovation that involves the electrical?
We look at the project before the walls are closed, and the price is in the written quote, free of charge.
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Sources
Consulted on November 5, 2026.