 When it comes to electrical, do you need a permit? Absolutely. If you change a switch or a receptacle, do you need a permit? You should get a permit for that. You should get a permit because even as a homeowner who's allowed to change a receptacle and a switch, you're allowed to, you should get a permit so it's inspected and made sure it was done correctly so no one's going to get a shock. There's not going to be a fire. These are minor things.