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Clark County

Electrician in Vancouver, Washington

Aerial view of a residential street in Vancouver, Washington, with the Cascade foothills behind

Clark County

Electrical Work in Vancouver Under Washington Code

ATR Electric holds a Washington contractor license alongside the Oregon CCB registration, which is what makes work in Vancouver, WA legal rather than just convenient. Cross the Columbia into southwest Washington and the code changes, the permit comes from a different office and a different inspector signs it off. Anthony Riddick walks every job and prices it himself on either side of the river.

The State Line

  • Washington code, not Oregon
  • A Washington contractor license
  • L&I or the city, not the county

On the Panel

  • A load calculation first
  • 100 to 200 amp upgrades
  • Level 2 charger circuits

Most Vancouver, WA calls are about capacity rather than faults. A Level 2 charger in the garage, a shop out the back, a second unit above it, all of them asking a panel to carry more than it was ever sized for. That answer starts with a load calculation and not a quote, and if the service already has room to spare you hear that first. On a service change Clark Public Utilities pulls the meter so the final terminations can be made, then energizes it again once the inspection has passed, so the sequence matters as much as the work does.

Combination meter and main breaker enclosure during a residential service change
Outdoor EV charger and its disconnect mounted on house siding
Commercial panelboard terminated out with branch conductors combed and left to length

Our Services

Electrical Services in Vancouver, WA

Vancouver, WA housing, where the question is nearly always whether the panel can carry a Level 2 charger, a heat pump or a shop before anything else gets decided.

Permits & Inspection

Who Issues an Electrical Permit in Vancouver

Inside the city limits the permit comes from Vancouver. Outside them it comes from Washington State Labor and Industries. The address decides, not the city name on the mail.

  1. 01

    Inside the city limits

    The City of Vancouver reviews and issues the electrical permit and sends out its own inspector. ATR Electric pulls it against the Washington license, before the work starts.

  2. 02

    Outside the city limits

    Washington State Labor and Industries, or L&I, covers the whole of the rest of Clark County. Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek and Orchards all post as Vancouver and sit outside the limits.

  3. 03

    Why the river matters

    Washington code is not Oregon code, and an Oregon CCB registration does not cover work here. Reciprocity covers journey level electricians, not contractors. The license is ATRELEL744KO.

Why ATR Electric

Licensed for Vancouver, WA and for Oregon

An extension ladder set against the side of a house at the service riser during a service upgrade

Inside the Limits or Out

L&I covers everything outside the city limits, including the Hazel Dell and Salmon Creek addresses posting as Vancouver.

Licensed in Two States

Licensed, bonded and insured in Oregon and in Washington, so exactly the same cover applies on either side of the river.

Permits Pulled for You

Some cities inspect their own electrical work and others hand it to the county. Either way the permit gets pulled first.

Priced Before It Starts

A written scope and a number, both agreed before the first screw comes out. Estimates on planned work are always free.

Anthony on Every Job

It is three electricians now, and Anthony still walks and prices every single job himself, right through to inspection.

Answers Without the Jargon

You hear what was found and why it matters while the job is open, in words that need no second electrician to decode it.

In Their Words

Our Reviews on Google and Thumbtack

“Anthony added a subpanel, lights, and some plugs for me. He does very clean work and is one contractor I can rely on to get the job done well. I have referred Anthony/ATR to friends, and clients.”

Publik I

Subpanel, lighting and outlets · May 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“Anthony had a better idea. The other Electrician came out and gave a bid for $14,000. I thought that was a little high and decided to get another opinion. Anthony had ideas that the other guys never even thought of.”

Bradley

Second opinion on a $14,000 bid · May 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“Anthony was professional, and very thoughtful with his repairs! He was punctual and kept me abreast about everything he was going to do before he did it. I look forward to working with him again. And it's nice to have an electrician that is upfront with cost.”

Bobbie Lancaster

Repairs · March 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“I've hired Anthony for three different projects now and will continue to use him for all my electrical work. He plans ahead well, pays a lot of attention to detail, and his work always looks excellent and clean.”

Jared Langdon

Three separate projects · March 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“I had Anthony replace switch and dimmer switches to upgrade my house from a dated look to a more modern one. He came over on time and worked fast to get the job done.”

Cheri Kennedy

Switches and dimmers · May 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“Efficient, quality work at a fair price. Anthony was quick to respond to my request to run a long Ethernet connection to a newly constructed room & he did a great job. Highly recommended!!!”

Steve Cohen

Low voltage and data wiring · March 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“Anthony is a skilled electrician. He went above and beyond to get my projects done and he was so pleasant the entire time. He works hard, does a great job and his rates are very reasonable. A+ and thanks, Anthony!”

Kelly O'Lague

March 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“Anthony did a great job on several important electrical projects at our house. He was very communicative throughout the process and kept us informed as he moved through projects. Highly recommend!”

Erica Aten

March 2026

Rated five stars on Google
“Anthony was very professional and thorough. He came the same day, fixed my light switch and had us up and running it quickly.”

Michael L.

Switch and Outlet Repair · Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony installed an outlet on my island. Looks and works great. It’s also worth mentioning that he’s one of the friendliest electricians I’ve worked with. Thank you Anthony!”

Sam S.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony added a sub panel and an electric car charger. He was very professional and did a quality job. I would hire him again and recommend his services.”

Germain F.

Wiring Installation · Feb 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony was GREAT. Punctual friendly and knowledgeable! He was able to get 3 small electrical projects done quickly and at a great price! I will definitely use him again!”

Karen O.

Switch and Outlet Repair · Feb 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Totally recommend Anthony! He communicated well in advance, arrived on time, did great work, was pleasant and responsive, and left the house spotless.”

Sarah O.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · Feb 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony contacted me about the work. He checked in prior to coming, came on time and gave me a clear quote about the work with some variation so I’m aware. He was able to add a separate circuit to our microwave so it doesn’t share with other lights and switch.”

Anh P.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony did an outstanding job wiring and installing a dryer plug and vent in my ADU. He was able to come out the same day to provide an estimate, taking the time to measure and ask the right questions to accommodate my unusual setup.”

Anna C.

Switch and Outlet Installation · Mar 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony was awesome and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He was immediately responsive, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to diagnose the problem and to help me save money. You found your guy right here. You won’t regret it!”

Jerrod K.

Wiring Installation · Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony did a wonderful job installing a dimmer in my room and showing me how to properly change the settings on my recessed lighting.”

Princess R.

Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Perfect wiring job done right. The first time. My questions were always answered and he showed up right when he said he would!”

Steven P.

Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Great man who was skilled and saved my day from a power issue which could have been dangerous”

Carol Z.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony was very professional and efficient. Did all tasks requested in a timely manner and cleaned up after himself. Quality of work was great and no issues whatsoever.”

Jesse C.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · May 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony was great to work with. Fixed my small appliance at a very reasonable rate. I will hire him again!”

Chris P.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · Mar 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Work looks great and took care of to keep everything clean looking. All work was done exactly as asked and in a timely on schedule fashion. Appreciate all the work. Thanks.”

Tim L.

Oct 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack
“Anthony was very polite, professional and responsive. He worked collaboratively with us to get our project done. Would definitely hire him again.”

Steve H.

Electrical and Wiring Repair · Jan 2025

Reviewed on Thumbtack

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A new subpanel mounted between studs with its armoured branch circuits run out through the framing
A row of linear LED shop lights running the length of a finished garage ceiling
Four receptacles and a switch trimmed out on a dark green bedroom wall beside a new window casing

Coverage Map

Clark County Service Areas, and Across the River

The nearest cities to Vancouver, WA sit across the river in Oregon, where the code, the permit office and the inspector all change again. Each pin opens its own page and says who signs the work off there.

See All Service Areas
A path and mature planting lit from the ground by landscape uplights after dark

Talk to Anthony

Free Estimates from a Vancouver, WA Electrician

Tell Anthony the address and what you want to add, and he will tell you what the panel can carry. Estimates on planned work are free across Vancouver and Clark County, and the scope and the number are both agreed before the permit is pulled.

Common Questions

Questions About Working in Washington

Does an Oregon electrician need a separate Washington license?

Yes. Reciprocity between the two states covers individual journey level electricians, not contractor licenses, so an Oregon CCB registration on its own does not cover work in Vancouver. ATR Electric holds both, and the numbers are on the contact page.

Do I need a permit for electrical work in Vancouver, WA?

On anything past a like for like repair, yes. Inside the city limits the City of Vancouver issues it. Outside them it is Washington State Labor and Industries, because Clark County does not issue electrical permits at all.

Can I pull my own electrical permit in Washington?

Only for a home you own and live in, and only by signing the owner affidavit L&I asks for. A rental, a second home or anything commercial has to be permitted by a licensed contractor.

Which cities does ATR Electric serve around Portland?

Every city on the map above, which covers Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties in Oregon plus Clark County in Washington. Each one has its own page with the permit rules that apply there. If your city is not marked, call and ask rather than assuming the answer is no.

Do I need a permit for electrical work in Oregon?

On any work that requires one, yes, and ATR Electric pulls it rather than leaving it to you. New circuits, service changes and panel work generally require a permit. Unpermitted electrical tends to surface later during a sale or an insurance claim, and it has to be opened back up for an inspector anyway.

New residential electrical panel with a completed circuit directory inside the door