Most cities have relatively complicated wording to explain when a permit is required, so I will give you my simple explanation. If you are just replacing one electric item with a similar item (replace a receptacle with a GFCI, put a new light fixture in the bathroom to replace an existing fixture, etc.), then most cities do not require a permit. If you need to run new wiring or install new junction boxes or receptacle boxes in a wall or ceiling, most cities want you to pull a permit.

If you hire a licensed electrician to make some minor wiring changes, you may decide its not worth it to pull a permit. The key point is that the person doing the work is qualified to do the work.

However, I have also found that its not really that hard to pull a homeowner permit if you are willing to spend an hour down at the city hall and pay a fee. Many folks on this forum will tell you that the electrician should pull the permit (which is correct), but that will usually cost you more. You will be paying someone from the electrician's company to go to city hall to submit the permit, and then again to wait for the inspector. In my case I have sometimes pulled the permit for minor work, but the documentation I submitted included the license of the contractor doing the work.

Bruce

In North Texas a homeowner can do most of their own work, but if hiring an outsider (electrician, handyman, friend) to do the work requires a permit - period.