PWP vs SCE in Pasadena: Which Utility, Rebates & Permits

A Pasadena mailing address doesn't tell you who keeps your lights on. Inside Pasadena city limits, your electricity comes from Pasadena Water & Power (PWP), the city's own utility. Step over the line into Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre or Arcadia and it's Southern California Edison (SCE). That difference decides which rebates you can claim, who sets your meter after a panel upgrade, and which office issues your permit, so it's the first thing we check before we quote a panel upgrade, EV charger or battery. If you're not sure which side of the line you're on, send us your address or call 747-255-8595 and we'll tell you before you spend a dollar.

How to Tell If Your Home Is on PWP or SCE

The fastest answer is on your bill. PWP customers get a City of Pasadena utility bill, while SCE customers get a bill from Southern California Edison with an SCE account number. If you've just bought the home and don't have a bill yet, go by the city boundary, not the ZIP code or mailing address:

Inside Pasadena city limits: PWP. PWP's electric service area is about 23 square miles, all within the city.
Altadena (unincorporated LA County): SCE.
South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Arcadia: SCE.

One common mix-up: PWP also delivers water to parts of Altadena and San Gabriel, so a home there can pay PWP for water and SCE for electricity. For anything electrical, the electric bill is the one that counts.

Why Your Utility Changes Your Electrical Project

Your utility owns the meter and the service drop. On a panel upgrade or service change, it decides the meter location, cuts and restores power, and inspects its side of the work. PWP and SCE run that process differently, with different forms, contacts and timelines.

Your utility also decides which rebates you can get. A rebate from one utility is paid only to that utility's customers. A Pasadena PWP customer can't claim SCE's Charge Ready Home rebate, and an Altadena SCE customer can't claim PWP's panel rebate, no matter how close the two homes are.

PWP Homes: Rebates and the Service Upgrade Process

If you're a PWP residential customer, PWP currently lists these programs (confirm current terms with PWP before you apply):

Electric Panel Upgrade Rebate: $1,000 for upgrading an existing panel to 200 amps or more, plus $500 if you're enrolled in PWP's income-qualified bill assistance. The upgrade must include dedicated 240V/30A circuits for a Level 2 EV charger and an electric water heater. New construction doesn't qualify. We cover the full checklist in our Pasadena panel upgrade rebate guide.
Residential EV charger rebate: $600 for a Wi-Fi or internet-connected Level 2 charger, or $200 for a standard one. It covers the charger cost, not installation, and requires a City of Pasadena electrical permit.
Residential battery storage rebate: $350 per kWh for a new, customer-owned battery installed on or after January 1, 2026 by a licensed C-10 contractor, plus $200 per kWh for customers in PWP's income-qualified or Medical Assistance programs.

For a panel or service upgrade, PWP Electric Service Planning handles the meter spot, the meter unlock and re-energizing. We walk through those steps in our Pasadena electrical permits guide.

SCE Homes: Charge Ready Home and Fire Rebuild Programs

If your home is on SCE, the main program for electrical upgrades is Charge Ready Home. SCE currently lists:

Up to $4,200 toward replacing a panel under 200 amps with a 200-amp or larger panel, plus a 240V EV outlet within 25 feet of off-street parking.
Up to $1,000 toward a dedicated EV outlet if your panel is already 200 amps or more.

To qualify, your household must meet the program's income requirements (under 80% of area median income, or enrolled in a listed assistance program such as CalFresh, LIHEAP or Medi-Cal), or live in a designated disadvantaged community. You'll need an SCE account, a licensed and bonded contractor, and all required permits. Approved participants must install a Level 2 charger within 180 days after the rebate. 911 is an SCE Charge Ready Home contractor, and we can help you check eligibility before work starts.

For Altadena owners rebuilding after the Eaton Fire, SCE's SWITCH program offers incentives for induction cooking and heat pump appliances installed on or after August 1, 2026. Our part is the circuits, panel and permits that equipment needs.

Permits Follow the City Line Too

The permit office changes at the same boundary as the utility:

Pasadena: City of Pasadena Building & Safety issues and inspects electrical permits, even for a like-for-like breaker swap.
Altadena: LA County Public Works, Building & Safety.
South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Arcadia: each city's own building department.

So a Pasadena panel upgrade means City of Pasadena permits plus PWP. An Altadena panel upgrade means LA County permits plus SCE. Either way, we pull the permit under our C-10 license and coordinate with the utility for you.

Planning an EV Charger, Panel or Battery? Start Here

Before you buy equipment, confirm three things: your utility, your panel size, and which rebate (if any) you're aiming for. Rebate rules shape the job. PWP's panel rebate needs both the EV and water heater circuits on the invoice. SCE's Charge Ready Home needs the outlet within 25 feet of parking. Getting that right on day one is much easier than fixing it after the inspection.

If you're adding an EV charger, we'll check whether your current panel can carry it or whether a load calculation points to an upgrade. For a bigger picture of what an upgrade can unlock, see why a panel upgrade can save money in Pasadena. And if you live in Pasadena or Altadena, our Pasadena and Altadena pages show how we work in each area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pasadena served by SCE or PWP?

Homes and businesses inside Pasadena city limits get electricity from Pasadena Water & Power, the city's municipal utility, not SCE. Nearby areas like Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and Arcadia are served by SCE.

Is Altadena on PWP or SCE?

Altadena gets its electricity from SCE. Some Altadena homes get water from PWP, which is why the two get mixed up. Check your electric bill to be sure.

Can I get an SCE rebate if I live in Pasadena?

No. SCE programs like Charge Ready Home require an SCE residential account. Pasadena homes on PWP should look at PWP's panel, EV charger and battery rebates instead.

Does my utility affect my panel upgrade?

Yes. Your utility sets the meter location, disconnects and restores power, and runs its own process for service upgrades. PWP and SCE each have their own steps, so your electrician should plan the job around the right one.

Who pulls the permit for a panel upgrade in Pasadena or Altadena?

Your licensed electrical contractor should. In Pasadena, the permit comes from the City of Pasadena. In Altadena, it comes from LA County Public Works. We pull the permit under our C-10 license either way.

Find Out Which Utility and Rebates Fit Your Home

911 Construction & Electric Inc. is a licensed, bonded and insured C-10 electrical contractor (CA Lic. #1027421) at 1308 E Colorado Blvd Ste 141, Pasadena, CA 91106, serving Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles. Whether you're on PWP or SCE, we'll confirm your utility, check which rebates fit, and handle the permit and utility coordination for your panel upgrade, EV charger or battery. Request a free estimate, call 747-255-8595 or visit https://911electrics.com. 24/7 emergency service available.