ADU Electrical Service with Riverside Public Utilities
How to get a service upgrade, a new or separate meter, or a relocated service from Riverside Public Utilities when you add an ADU, and what our electrical plans give you for that application.
Who Riverside Public Utilities serves
Municipal electric and water utility of the City of Riverside, California. Of the California places we cover, 1 is served mainly by Riverside Public Utilities, and together they issued 1,097 ADU building permits from 2021 through 2025.
How Riverside Public Utilities handles new and upgraded service
Riverside Public Utilities handles new service, service upgrades and meter changes through its Meter Spot and Electric Service Design process. This is separate from the building permit, so start it as soon as the electrical load calculation shows what the ADU needs. The steps Riverside Public Utilities describes:
- Request a Utility Meter Spot from RPU before installing a new or upgraded service panel, to verify the meter panel location meets current standards.
- Prepare the site for the meter spot visit (unlocked gates, pets secured, clear path to the panel).
- Where utility design is needed, submit the Application for Electric Service Design with the Electric Information Sheet and an approved architectural plot plan; this is separate from the account application for an electric meter.
- RPU prepares the design and determines service charges; customer facilities must be installed and inspected per RPU-approved drawings.
- Apply for the panel upgrade / electrical permit with Building and Safety (online portal or One Stop Shop).
- Pay all service charges before RPU installs its facilities.
- Before a new, relocated or rebuilt service is connected, the installation must be inspected and approved by RPU in addition to other governing agencies (Rule 11.A.1); the City's building checklist lists a 'Service Utility Release' inspection.
What Riverside Public Utilities asks for
- Application for Electric Service Design (signed)
- Electric Information Sheet: service type (new/temp/addition/revision), voltage, main switch size, major equipment (A/C tons, kW of range, dryer, water heater, heater, pool/spa), house square footage
- Approved architectural plot plan
- Switchgear drawings before procurement/installation, where applicable (Rule 11.A.9)
Our ADU electrical plans include the NEC Article 220 load calculation, panel schedule and single-line diagram, which cover the load and equipment information on this list. Site-plan and service-location details come from your architectural set.
A separate meter for the ADU
RPU Electric Rule 11.A.14 (effective September 22, 2026): at the Utility's discretion an ADU may be served from the existing meter panel at the premises; an additional electric meter for a City-approved ADU requires a service panel upgrade, the service is treated as a multiple meter installation, and the customer is responsible for associated costs (service upgrade/replacement, meter installation, inspections).
Whether a separate meter makes sense depends on the load calculation, the existing service size and the cost of the utility work. See when a separate service is required instead of a subpanel.
Service requirements
Meter location, clearances and service equipment must follow RPU Electric Rule 11 - Electric Service Facilities (eff. Sept. 22, 2026); RPU Underground Construction Standards (UGS series). We show the meter and service equipment on the electrical plan so the location can be confirmed with Riverside Public Utilities early.
Places Riverside Public Utilities serves that we cover
| Place | County | Climate zone | ADU permits 2021–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | Riverside | CZ 10 | 1,097 |
Sources
- riversideca.gov/utilities/developers/electric-engineering/general-information
- riversideca.gov/utilities/sites/riversideca.gov.utilities/files/Electric%20Rule%2011%20Final.pdf
- riversideca.gov/utilities/sites/riversideca.gov.utilities/files/pdf/2026/APPLICATION%20FOR%20ELECTRIC%20SERVICE%20DESIGN%2008222025.pdf
- riversideca.gov/utilities/developers/electric-engineering/electric-rules-rates-0
- riversideca.gov/utilities/developers/electric-engineering/underground-construction-standards
- riversideca.gov/cedd/sites/riversideca.gov.cedd/files/pdf/building/handouts/Residential%20Electrical%20Service%20Upgrade%20Checklist.pdf
Summarized from Riverside Public Utilities's published pages. Utility processes, forms and rules change, so confirm the current requirements with Riverside Public Utilities (contact) before you apply.
Need ADU electrical plans for a Riverside Public Utilities service request?
We prepare the load calculation, panel schedule and single-line diagram the utility and the building department both review.
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