California · Electric Service Line

Who Owns the Power Line to Your House? (SCE)

Short answer
The property owner pays

Southern California Edison treats a damaged meter panel, service conductors, or mast as the property owner's responsibility to repair via a licensed electrician before service is restored.

High confidence · Verified Sep 25, 2026 · 1 source

What to do next

What to do next

  1. Photograph the problem and write down the date

    Take the photos before any work starts.

  2. A permit is required under the rule on record

    Ask whoever does the work who pulls it.

  3. If the repair is yours, get more than one written quote

    Ask each contractor to confirm where your part ends and the public part begins.

Work through the full repair checklist

Responsibility Boundary

Default rule and exceptions

SCE's Red Tag Help Center treats a damaged meter panel, service conductors, or mast as customer-side equipment: SCE disconnects service for such damage and will not restore power until the customer hires a licensed electrician to repair it and obtains a passed inspection.

Permit required: yes.

PartyWhat they are responsible for
UtilityOwns the service drop up to the attachment point; disconnects service when customer-side equipment is unsafe and reconnects once repairs are inspected.
Property ownerOwns the meter panel, service conductors, and mast; must hire a licensed electrician, obtain permits, and pass inspection before SCE restores service.
ExceptionsNone on record

What the source says

Last verified against the primary source on Sep 25, 2026.

Service may be disconnected due to: Fire damage to the structure or electrical equipment. Exposed, damaged or unsafe wiring. Damaged meter panel, service conductors or mast.
Red Tag Help Center (What is a Red Tag? / How do I restore my electric service?), checked Sep 13, 2026
Make repairs: Hire a licensed electrician or contractor to fix all damaged electrical equipment. Obtain permits... Complete inspection... Get inspection approval: Inspection approval must be issued before service can be restored.
Red Tag Help Center (What is a Red Tag? / How do I restore my electric service?), checked Sep 13, 2026

Common questions

Who pays for electric service line in Statewide, CA?

The property owner. Owns the service drop up to the attachment point; disconnects service when customer-side equipment is unsafe and reconnects once repairs are inspected.

Do I need a permit to repair the sidewalk in Statewide, CA?

Yes. The rule on record requires a permit for sidewalk work in the public right-of-way.

What is this based on for Statewide, CA?

This verdict is sourced to Red Tag Help Center (What is a Red Tag? / How do I restore my electric service?) and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.

Sources

  1. Red Tag Help Center (What is a Red Tag? / How do I restore my electric service?)official-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
  2. Red Tag Help Center (What is a Red Tag? / How do I restore my electric service?)official-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
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