An accessory dwelling can be allowed by zoning and still require an electrical-service application, load review, provider upgrade, meter arrangement, or separate civic address. These are distinct decisions. A building permit or an existing electrical connection does not prove that the provider has capacity for the proposed project.
Start with the provider and existing service
Identify the electric, gas, or other energy provider for the parcel, then find its current new-service or upgrade process. Check the existing service size and equipment, proposed heating and cooling, cooking, hot water, vehicle charging, and other major loads. The provider or local electrical authority may require a load calculation, site plan, one-line diagram, drawings, or an inspection.
Ask whether the project can use the existing service, needs a separate meter or panel, or requires a service upgrade. Confirm who prepares and reviews the calculation, when the application must be submitted, what work must be inspected, and whether infrastructure capacity or a service location must be confirmed. Seattle City Light, for example, asks applicants to provide project and service details and says most projects also need supporting drawings and load calculations. Its application materials describe Seattle’s process, not the capacity of another lot or provider.
Local examples: load and utility arrangements
Calgary publishes a load-calculation form for adding specified suite types to an existing single-family property. It asks for project and load inputs and directs applicants to check with ENMAX when a service increase is needed. Madison describes a separate electric meter and panel for a new detached ADU. New York City says separate utilities are not required but identifies separate controls, disconnects, and shutoffs for covered systems. These are different local code and provider questions, not evidence that another site has capacity. See Calgary’s load-calculation process, Madison’s detached-ADU utility checks, and New York City’s utility controls.
Check addressing and utility coordination
Ask the local addressing authority whether the additional unit needs a distinct street address, suite number, or other identifier, and when it must be assigned. Confirm address placement and visibility with the local fire, building, and utility requirements. A provider’s meter label or unit number may follow a different system from municipal addressing.
Portland’s ADU code guide uses lettered unit designations rather than assigning every ADU a separate house number. Other places may assign a distinct address or require coordination before a permit or service connection. These local differences make address assignment a checklist item, not a universal standard. An address does not establish that the dwelling is permitted or legally occupiable.
Keep capacity, code, and cost separate
The electric utility determines its service process and available infrastructure; the building or electrical authority reviews code and inspections. A load calculation can identify a possible upgrade, but does not guarantee that the provider can deliver it, state the final cost, or approve a connection. Ask the utility for written confirmation and check separate application, connection, or capacity charges.
Record the provider, exact service requested, documents submitted, review status, upgrade conditions, address outcome, and remaining unknowns. Do not describe capacity as confirmed until the provider has confirmed it for the actual property and project. For water and sewer capacity, use the separate servicing checks.