Entitlement guide
Power: the approval that is really a schedule.
No code section says when your power arrives. The utility does. On some projects, the wait for a transformer is longer than every permit combined.
The short answer
Power is less about rules and more about timing and cost. Your site is served by one electric utility, often an investor-owned utility in cities and an electric cooperative in rural areas. That utility decides the route, the equipment, what you pay toward it and when it gets built.
Commercial buildings often need three-phase service. If it is not already at the road, the utility may need to extend lines and install new transformers. Transformer supply has been tight in recent years, so the order date can drive the opening date.
- Which electric utility holds the service territory
- Whether the use likely needs three-phase service
- Signs that a line extension or upgrade may be needed
- Easements that new lines may require on the site
- Where the utility request belongs in the sequence
- Whether a fire pump or other large load changes the service
Why it can stop a deal
Where projects get caught.
Three-phase is not nearby
A line extension can mean easements, design time and a contribution in aid of construction from the owner.
Equipment is back-ordered
Pad-mount transformers and switchgear can take many months to arrive. If the order goes in late, the building waits.
Easements and routes conflict
New lines need a route. That route can collide with setbacks, drainage, a road reservation or a septic field.
How it works
How it usually works in Central Texas.
Rules differ by city, county and utility, and they change. Treat this as orientation and confirm with the approving authority.
Finding the utility. Service territories are set by the state. A rural parcel may be served by a cooperative even if a city utility's lines are close. Knowing the right utility is the first step, and it is usually a quick check.
Starting the request. Most utilities have a new commercial service process. They want the address, a site plan, the load, the service voltage and whether you need three-phase. They then design the service and quote any cost to you. Their design work has its own queue.
Line extensions and cost. When lines must be extended or upgraded, utilities typically charge the owner for part of the work under their tariff. The amount depends on the distance, the load and the utility's rules. Expect easement requests for new lines on your property.
Lead times. Transformer and switchgear lead times have been long and uneven across the industry. The utility can tell you the current wait for the equipment your load needs. A practical rule: ask early, and plan the electrical design so the utility can order as soon as possible.
Why VALITER treats it as a schedule check. Power rarely stops a project outright, but it often sets the finish line. VALITER identifies the utility, flags when three-phase or an extension is likely, and puts the utility request on the path early, with the questions drafted. Public line maps are generally not available, so the utility's answer is the source of truth.
Who decides
The people and offices involved.
| Who | What they decide |
|---|---|
| Electric utility | Service design, route, equipment, cost to the owner, schedule |
| Public Utility Commission | Service territories and utility tariffs |
| Electrical engineer | Load calculations and building service design (a professional gate) |
| Building official | Electrical permits and inspections for the building side |
- Which utility serves this parcel, and who is the new-service contact?
- Is three-phase service available at the road?
- What will the utility need from us to start design?
- What is the current lead time for the transformer our load needs?
- What easements will the utility want, and where?
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