Melby Electric sees more ADU panel upgrades in Snohomish County

Melby Electric says demand for main panel upgrades and garage subpanels has climbed in Snohomish County as ADU rules, EV-ready requirements and a pending electrical code change push more homes to add capacity. The Marysville contractor says older 100-amp systems are increasingly being upgraded to support accessory dwelling units, chargers and other new loads.

Why it matters: - Snohomish County homeowners adding accessory dwelling units often need electrical upgrades before construction can move forward. - Older 100-amp panels can limit ADU layouts, EV charging and other added household loads. - Washington's move to the 2026 National Electrical Code will raise the compliance bar for panel and wiring changes.

What happened: - Melby Electric, a Marysville-based electrical contractor, said demand for main panel upgrades and garage subpanels has risen across Snohomish County. - The work is tied to ADU planning after Snohomish County Ordinance 25-014 took effect March 30, 2025. - Snohomish County Council adopted Ordinance 25-014 on March 19, 2025. - The ordinance allows up to two accessory dwelling units on urban lots with single-family homes, including detached units in garages or backyard structures. - Melby Electric said it is fielding calls for 60-amp and 100-amp subpanels fed from upgraded 200-amp main panels.

The details: - Each new living space needs its own branch circuits for kitchen, heat and laundry loads. - Many older homes in Everett, Lake Stevens and unincorporated Marysville still use 100-amp main panels with no spare breaker slots. - Washington's Department of Labor and Industries is moving WAC 296-46B to the 2026 NEC, with draft rules listing a Dec. 31, 2026 effective date. - Draft language says any wiring or panelboards replaced or changed must meet current chapter 19.28 RCW and WAC requirements. - L&I currently inspects under the 2023 NEC. - Panel swaps started in late 2025 now set the baseline that owners will live with when the 2026 edition takes effect. - New single-family homes with garages in Washington must include at least one EV-ready parking space under WAC 51-50-0429, which took effect March 15, 2024. - That EV-ready space needs a dedicated 40-amp, 208/240-volt branch circuit in the main panel. - Owners adding a Level 2 charger to an existing home often need a panel upgrade or a garage subpanel when the main panel is full. - Snohomish County PUD requires a New Service Questionnaire before panel capacity changes, EV charger wiring or ADU electrical work. - The utility's construction page lists a residential NSQ form for single-family homes, garages and ADU projects, submitted to inspections@snopud.com. - The April 28, 2025 Electrical Service Requirements manual says customers who increase panel capacity for added load may face meter and transformer fees. - Many EV and heat-pump loads added without a service upsize do not trigger district upgrade charges. - Permit paths split by address. - Marysville and Everett issue their own electrical permits and inspections inside city limits. - Unincorporated Snohomish County jobs route through L&I. - Melby Electric pulls permits, coordinates SnoPUD disconnect and reconnect, and schedules inspections on panel jobs from its office at 14608 Smokey Point Blvd STE 3. - Recent work in Marysville, Arlington, Mukilteo and Monroe has included 100-amp to 200-amp main panel upgrades, Federal Pacific and Zinsco replacements, garage subpanels for detached ADUs, and dedicated circuits for Tesla and Generac installs. - The contractor holds license MELBYE*797DO and reports more than 800 completed projects since 2020. - Property owners in Snohomish County can request service by phone at (425) 535-2045. - Location and hours are on the Melby Electric Google Maps listing. - Main panel and subpanel details are on Melby Electric's electrical main & subpanel installation page.

Between the lines: - The work points to a broader electrical bottleneck created by ADU growth, EV readiness and code updates hitting the same homes at once. - For many owners, the decision is no longer just about adding a new unit or charger; it is about whether the existing service can safely support the new load. - The coming NEC change could push more homeowners to finish upgrades sooner rather than wait.

What's next: - Snohomish County owners planning ADUs, EV chargers or panel replacements will need to account for utility paperwork, permit routing and code timing. - More panel and subpanel upgrades are likely as owners prepare for the Dec. 31, 2026 NEC adoption date. - Melby Electric is directing customers to call (425) 535-2045 for service requests.