On a new home or small building, permanent power depends on two separate approvals that have to meet in the middle. The utility designs and builds its side of the service, the electrical contractor builds the customer's side, and the building department has to inspect the customer's side before the utility will energize it. This guide walks through that process for FPL, which serves most of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, and flags where Homestead and Lake Worth Beach differ.
For commercial projects with larger services, transformers on site and engineered gear, our guide to the utility timeline for new commercial service goes further. The building department with jurisdiction over the address still has the final word on inspections; the South Florida electrical permits guide links each department.
Step 1: confirm who the utility is
Most South Florida addresses are FPL territory, but Homestead runs its own electric utility, HPS Energy (City of Homestead, HPS Energy), and Lake Worth Beach provides electric service to addresses in its utility service area (Lake Worth Beach utilities). Each has its own standards and application steps. Confirm the utility before the meter location and service equipment are chosen. The rest of this guide describes FPL's process.
Step 2: apply in the FPL Project Portal
FPL handles builder requests through its Project Portal. After you submit a project application, FPL says a project manager will be assigned within two business days, and the project shows on your dashboard (FPL, how it works). The portal tracks each project through three stages:
- Initiation. FPL reviews the application and engages with you as needed to understand the request (FPL, how it works).
- Development. FPL defines the specific work needed and lists the active work requests (FPL, how it works).
- Completion. The completed work requests are shown (FPL, how it works).
FPL's project types page describes what each kind of project asks for (FPL project types). Construction power, if it comes from FPL, is its own request; see temporary power poles and FPL temp service.
Step 3: design the customer side to FPL's standards
FPL's Electric Service Standards set out what the customer provides. A few points shape a new home (FPL Electric Service Standards):
- Contact FPL before equipment is purchased and installed, to confirm service availability and FPL's designated point of delivery (FPL Electric Service Standards).
- The customer provides, installs, owns and maintains the service entrance conductors, the service equipment and the metering equipment cabinets (FPL Electric Service Standards).
- FPL's approval of the arrangement is not a substitute for inspection and approval by the local electrical inspection authority (FPL Electric Service Standards).
- Meter enclosures must be on FPL's approved list (FPL Electric Service Standards).
- Where a building has more than one meter, or the meter's address is not obvious, FPL will not render service until the meter sockets and service equipment are marked to show the location served (FPL Electric Service Standards).
- FPL recommends that the service entrance have more capacity than the NEC minimum (FPL Electric Service Standards).
For townhomes and small multifamily buildings, the current edition adds a requirement effective November 2, 2026: where six or more meter cans are installed, customer-owned meter socket covers must be installed before FPL energizes the line side of any meter can, and the covers must be transparent and UV-rated, among other specifications (FPL Electric Service Standards).
Step 4: meter elevation in flood zones
Meter elevation is set by the inspecting authority, not by FPL. FPL's standards say it accepts meter cans below the flood plane when the local authority having jurisdiction approves them, and that when the inspecting authority requires the meter above the flood plane, elevated platform requirements apply so utility personnel have safe access, including stair access above certain heights (FPL Electric Service Standards). Where local ordinances require meters at or above base flood elevation, the customer provides and maintains a means of ready access to the meter (FPL Electric Service Standards).
For the building code side, Florida's residential code requires electrical systems and equipment at or above the required flood elevation, with limited exceptions (Palm Beach County flood requirements summary). Get the required elevation from the building department before the meter and disconnect locations are drawn. Our guide to flood zone electrical requirements covers the details.
Step 5: get the site ready for FPL
FPL's FAQ lists what it needs verified before it installs an underground service to a new home or building (FPL, how it works):
- The meter can and downpipe are installed (FPL, how it works).
- The cable route is clear (FPL, how it works).
- Any applicable charges have been paid (FPL, how it works).
FPL also says an FPL project manager must approve the site before FPL begins construction, that if the site is not prepared as agreed when the crew arrives the customer is responsible for the associated costs, and that easements for lines and equipment on private property must be executed and recorded before construction starts (FPL, how it works). It asks customers to contact it several weeks before installing sod or sprinkler systems. On installation time, FPL's FAQ gives a typical window once the site is ready but says the actual timeframe varies, so confirm current expectations with the project manager (FPL, how it works).
Step 6: inspection, then energizing
FPL's FAQ says an inspection is required for all new electric service installations (FPL, how it works). Its 2023 standards state that FPL cannot energize a new service until the local electrical inspection is complete and FPL has formal notice from the inspecting office (FPL Electric Service Standards, 2023 edition; check the current edition for wording). Electrical contractors are not allowed to reconnect service; FPL does that after it receives the electrical inspection (FPL, how it works).
In Miami-Dade, the service is part of the electrical permit's inspections, ending with 001 Final (Miami-Dade inspection codes). Palm Beach County has an Electric Hot Check (code 214) for single-family homes on its list (Palm Beach County inspection codes). The full order is in the electrical inspection sequence for new construction, and what the final looks at is in our final electrical inspection checklist.
Construction power on the permanent socket
FPL's 2023 standards describe TOP and TUG arrangements that use the permanent meter socket for construction power after the temporary inspection (FPL Electric Service Standards, 2023 edition). Palm Beach County's list includes 220 Rough Electric with TUG (Palm Beach County inspection codes). Whether it fits a job depends on the utility, the building department and how far along the service is; ask the FPL project manager early.
The sequence in one table
| Step | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm utility | Builder, electrical contractor | FPL, HPS Energy or Lake Worth Beach |
| Project application | Builder or electrical contractor | FPL Project Portal; project manager assigned |
| Point of delivery, meter location | FPL, with the customer | Before equipment is bought |
| Meter elevation | Building department | Required flood elevation, platform if needed |
| Site readiness | Builder, electrical contractor | Meter can and downpipe, clear route, easements, charges paid |
| Electrical inspection | Building department | Customer side inspected and approved |
| Energize | FPL | After inspection and notice |
Source: FPL, how it works and FPL Electric Service Standards.
Questions builders ask
How long does FPL take to energize a new home?
It varies by project, and FPL itself describes its timeframes as typical, not fixed. Apply early, keep the project manager informed of schedule changes, and have the site ready when FPL says it will build.
Can the electrician call FPL to energize once the final passes?
FPL energizes after it receives the inspection result from the inspecting office. The contractor's job is to get the inspection approved; the FPL project stays with whoever applied for it.
Who decides where the meter goes?
FPL designates the point of delivery and meter location; the building department sets any required elevation. The electrical contractor builds to both.
What does the service design need from FPL?
The point of delivery, the meter location and, for sizing equipment, the available short-circuit current, which FPL's standards say it provides on request (FPL Electric Service Standards).
Planning permanent power?
KRW Electric (EC13012832) builds new construction services and handles the permit and inspections on our jobs across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. See residential new construction electrical for the full scope, or send us the plans and the FPL project details or call (305) 359-7312.
Reviewed by Kyle White, KRW Electric Company LLC — licensed electrical contractor EC13012832.
