Fast‑Track Your LADWP 400–800 A Service Upgrade
Getting Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) approval for a 400 A‑plus service can stall projects for weeks—unless you know the drill. Our electricians have guided dozens of apartment owners and developers through the Construction & Renovation queue. Use this checklist to submit a bullet‑proof package, or let our permit desk do it for you.
Why LADWP Service Planning Matters
| Issue | Impact on Owners |
|---|---|
| Load exceeds 399 A | Automatically triggers LADWP’s Construction & Renovation process—no over‑the‑counter release. |
| Service Equipment Revision Form 480‑02 errors | Each correction cycle adds 7–10 business days. |
| Transformer availability | Some blocks require a pad‑mount upgrade; lead times can hit 16 weeks (ladwp.com/transformer‑lead‑times) |
| Coordination with LADBS Plan‑Check | LADWP will not schedule the shutdown until your LADBS permit is RTI (Ready‑To‑Issue). |
Owner’s 10‑Point Prep Checklist
- Confirm Final Load Calculation
NEC 220 worksheet signed by a California PE. - Site Plan Showing Meter Location
Include dimensions to nearest property line. Required at first submittal. - Stamped Single‑Line Diagram
Match conductor sizes and breaker ratings to LADBS plan‑check set. - Transformer Size & Distance
Note existing transformer kVA and footage to new service switch—LADWP will calculate voltage drop. - Completed Form 480‑02 – Service Equipment & Revision (Download)
- Fault‑Current Calc at Service Switch
LADWP validates withstand ratings; must include infinite‑bus assumption. - Estimated Cut‑Over Load Sheets
Temporary power plan for tenant/common loads during shutdown. - Access Letter & Contact Sheet
Names and 24/7 numbers of owner rep, GC, and electrical foreman. - Proof of LADBS RTI Status
Upload RTI letter from EPIC‑LA portal. - Payment Method on File
LADWP will not schedule until service‑installation fees are paid (see Rule 16 schedule).
Download our fillable PDF version of this checklist here (free).
Step‑by‑Step LADWP Submission Workflow
| Day | Action | Lead | Key Links |
| 0–5 | Assemble PE‑stamped drawings & Form 480‑02 | Owner / Engineer | Form 480‑02 |
| 6 | Email package to CNRRequests@ladwp.com | GC / Contractor | LADWP C&R email confirmation |
| 7–14 | LADWP Preliminary Review | LADWP Planner | They issue “Checklist Deficiency” email if items missing |
| 15–20 | Correct & re‑submit (if needed) | Design Team | Keep same email thread to preserve queue position |
| 21 | Invoice for Service Fees | LADWP | Pay online through PowerLADWP portal |
| 22–30 | Shutdown & Cut‑Over Scheduling | Contractor + LADWP | Typical lead: 10 business days after payment |
| Construction Day | Utility crew pulls old conductors, lands new feeders | LADWP + Branover crew | Tenants offline 4–6 hours (staged) |
| Next Business Day | Final OK to Energize letter issued | LADWP Planner | Keep for insurance & lender files |
Pro Tip: CC the assigned LADWP planner on every email reply; new threads can drop your file to the back of the line.
Document Toolkit
- LADWP Form 480‑02 – Service Equipment & Revision (PDF)
- Rule 16 Service‑Installation Fee Schedule (ladwp.com/rate‑book)
- Voltage‑Drop & Fault‑Current Calculator (Excel) – request our free template.
- Sample Single‑Line for 600 A Meter‑Main – download DWG.
- Tenant Notification Template (English/Spanish) – meets Civil Code §1940.9.
Common Pitfalls—and Our Fixes
- Incorrect Conduit Entry Point – The planner will reject drawings if the service lateral crosses another utility; we overlay LADWP utility maps before finalising.
- Missing Grounding Electrode Detail – Always show CEC §250 compliant electrode and bonding jumpers.
- Underestimating Transformer Bus Tap – Our load sheet factors in 125 % continuous load to avoid surprise transformer upgrades.
- No Temporary Power Plan – We stage risers so tenants lose power in blocks, keeping elevators and egress lighting live.
FAQ
Ready to Get on the Planner’s Schedule?
Book a Free 15‑Minute File Review
📞 323‑467‑6661 | ✉️ info@branovercontractors.com | Contact Us ↗
