How much does temp power cost in Arizona? A real numbers guide

Last updated 2026-08-18

What exactly is 'temp power' and when do you need it in Arizona?

Temp power is a short-term electrical connection you set up before the permanent service exists. In Arizona that usually means a construction site, a mobile event, an RV setup, a weekend job, or a crypto mining rig that needs a few hundred amps now. Almost every setup lands in one of two buckets: a utility temporary drop from APS or SRP, or a rented generator.

The utility drop gives you hardwired power through a temporary pole and meter. A generator gives you independence from utility timelines but adds fuel costs that never stop. Your pick changes the price, the paperwork, and how fast you're running.

The rest of this guide assumes a building project or a temporary 480V load inside APS or SRP territory. That covers Phoenix, Tucson, and most of the state.

How much does temp power cost in Arizona?

A utility temp power connection in Arizona breaks into three parts: a nonrefundable application fee, a refundable deposit, and the electrician's labor. APS and SRP charge different amounts ^[1][2].

APS collects a $35 nonrefundable processing fee. It also takes a refundable deposit, typically $200 for a single-phase residential temporary drop, before scheduling the hookup. You pay $235 upfront, and $200 of that comes back after the meter is pulled and the account closes ^[1].

SRP is cheaper on paper. Its temporary construction power fees are a $15 nonrefundable application fee and a $150 refundable deposit per meter ^[2]. That's $165 upfront per meter.

Electrician labor is the wild card. A licensed contractor in Arizona might charge $250 to $600 to set a temporary service pole, depending on distance from the transformer, underground versus overhead, and permit fees. Most Arizona cities require a building permit for temporary service, which adds $50 to $200 ^[3].

Add it up and a realistic total for utility temp power, electrician and permit included, falls between $500 and $1,200.

Rent a diesel generator instead and you're looking at $200 to $450 per week for a 10 kW unit, plus fuel and delivery. That's an operating cost, not a setup fee, and it's often the faster route when the utility timeline won't work.

Do you need a license for temp power in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona law requires anyone who contracts to do electrical work to hold a license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-1151 makes it unlawful to perform construction work valued at more than $1,000 in combined labor and materials without a ROC license ^[4][5]. A temporary service almost always clears that $1,000 line once you count labor, the pole, and the permit. So the person you hire has to carry an active C-11 Electrical Contractor classification.

Doing the work yourself changes things. Arizona allows an owner-builder exemption, meaning you can pull your own permits and hire subs without a contractor's license. The Registrar's licensing brochure says the exemption applies "for structures intended for your own use and not for sale or rent" ^[4]. You still need a city electrical permit for the pole. In Phoenix, the Planning and Development Department issues a specific electrical permit for temporary service with its own fee ^[3].

Here's the short version. If you hire an electrician, confirm the ROC license is current and shows C-11 in the classification. If you do it yourself, pull the permit at the city and know the owner-builder rules cold. Unlicensed work invites a stop-work order and a fine that usually starts at $500 ^[4].

How long does it take to get temp power connected in Arizona?

Plan on 5 to 10 business days from the day you submit the application, assuming nothing goes sideways. APS says that once the application, fee, and deposit are in, a temporary service connection typically takes 3 to 5 business days to schedule and complete ^[1]. SRP runs a similar 2 to 3 business days after payment and the meter spot inspection ^[2]. Those windows count only utility processing, not your electrician's calendar.

The real clock starts when the city approves the permit and the pole goes in the ground. Most Arizona building departments turn simple electrical permits around in 1 to 3 business days if you file online. A realistic full timeline for a Phoenix temporary service reads like this: day 1, submit the permit application; day 3, permit issued; day 5, electrician sets the pole; day 6, utility gets the inspection clearance; day 10, utility energizes the meter. SRP territory can shave a couple days off because it doesn't always require a separate pre-inspection when the electrician's certification is on file.

No Arizona utility promises next-day turnaround on a new temporary drop. Even with the site ready, you're waiting a handful of business days. Need power tomorrow? A rental generator is the only reliable answer.

Breaking down the costs: utility temporary service vs generator rental

Here's the side-by-side. Utility temp service is a one-time setup expense. Generator rental is a recurring operating cost. The right call depends on how long you need power and how flexible your schedule is.

Item	Utility (APS)	Utility (SRP)	Generator rental (10 kW)
Application / setup fee (nonrefundable)	$35	$15	Delivery fee typically $75-150
Refundable deposit	$200	$150	None
Electrician and pole install	$250-600	$250-600	Not needed
City permit	$50-200	$50-200	Often not needed for a trailer-mounted unit
Weekly operating cost	Your electric rate (~$0.12/kWh)	Your electric rate (~$0.11/kWh)	$200-450 rental + fuel (~$30/day)
Total first-week cost (approx.)	$550-1,200	$480-1,100	$600-1,200

Utility temporary service is usually cheaper for jobs longer than two or three weeks. Generators win when speed matters, when there's no transformer nearby, or when you need 480V three-phase and the utility temp spec can't deliver it without a larger upgrade. For a run of a few days, a $500 generator setup can match a utility drop on price and beat it badly on speed.

The $179 all-in-one kit for temp power

Setting up a temporary high-power load like a 480V mining rig and want to skip both the utility's timeline and the electrician's calendar? A self-contained kit can work. TempPowerPath sells a Cable + Fuel + 480V Kit for a one-time $179 that covers the cables, fuel system, and 480V hardware to run a rig off a generator or a temp feed. It won't replace a utility connection on a permitted site, but it gets a temporary industrial load running in a few hours.

One caveat. Any permanent or semi-permanent install fed from a utility still needs the city permit and a licensed electrician to meet Arizona code. The kit is best when you're running off a portable generator on private land, or for test setups where the rig moves after the job. Confirm with your local building department if you're not sure a permit applies.

Tips for a faster temp power setup in Arizona

The biggest slowdown in Arizona temp power isn't the utility. It's the permit queue and the electrician's schedule. A few moves actually cut the wait.

File the electrical permit online. Most Phoenix-area cities run an online portal, and online applications usually clear in a day or two versus a week for paper ^[3]. Have the site plan, load calculation, and pole spec sheet ready before you hit submit.

Pick an electrician who already works with your utility. SRP keeps a list of certified electrical contractors who can self-inspect, which removes the utility's pre-energize inspection step. APS doesn't offer that shortcut, but an electrician who knows the APS field inspector for your area can often land an earlier slot.

Unincorporated Maricopa County is its own animal. The permit goes through the county, not the city, and county permits for temporary service can take 5 to 7 business days. Plan for it.

And if timeline is the only thing that matters, rent the generator. The $200 you save on utility fees means nothing if you're paying a crew to stand around for a week.

Arizona temp power costs compared to other states

Arizona's utility temp power fees sit in the middle nationally. The nonrefundable fees run lower than California, where temporary service application fees can hit $100 or more, but deposits are fairly standard. Our cost guides for temp power in California, Colorado, and Florida show how much the application and permit fees swing state to state.

What makes Arizona simple is coverage. Two large utilities blanket almost the entire state with published, cheap fee schedules. You won't wrestle with dozens of small municipal utilities running their own processes, the way you might in Illinois or Georgia. That keeps planning predictable.

One exception. If you're working on the Navajo Nation, utility service falls under tribal jurisdiction and the process changes entirely. Call the local chapter house before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole in Arizona?

Yes. Nearly all Arizona cities and counties require an electrical permit for a temporary service pole. In Phoenix, the Planning and Development Department issues a specific electrical permit for temporary service, with fees running $50 to $200 depending on scope. The application usually needs a site plan and a load calculation. ^[3]

Can I install temp power myself in Arizona without a license?

Only if you qualify for the owner-builder exemption. Arizona law (A.R.S. § 32-1151) applies the exemption when you're building or improving your own property and don't plan to sell or rent within a year. You still pull the city permit and meet all electrical code. For any work over $1,000 in labor and materials, you need a licensed C-11 contractor if you aren't the property owner. ^[4][5]

How much does APS charge for temporary service?

APS charges a $35 nonrefundable application fee for temporary electric service. A deposit, usually $200 for a single-phase residential drop, gets collected before the connection is scheduled. The deposit comes back after the temporary service is removed and the account closes. ^[1]

How much does SRP charge for temporary power?

SRP's fee schedule shows a $15 nonrefundable application fee and a $150 refundable deposit per meter for temporary construction power. The deposit returns once the service is disconnected. ^[2]

What license class does an electrician need for temp power in Arizona?

Arizona requires the C-11 Electrical Contractor classification from the Registrar of Contractors. The license must be active and in good standing. The electrician may also need a city business license if the local municipality requires one, though most don't for licensed contractors. ^[4]

How long does APS take to connect temporary service?

APS says that after the application, fee, and deposit are processed, temporary service connection typically takes 3 to 5 business days. That assumes the site is ready, the permit is cleared, and the meter spot is accessible. ^[1]

Can I get temp power in Arizona in 24 hours?

Not through a utility. Both APS and SRP need a few business days minimum. The only way to get power that fast in Arizona is a portable generator, and even then you'll need a few hours for delivery and setup. For planned utility temp power, budget at least 5 business days.

Does the type of temporary power affect the cost in Arizona?

Yes. A standard 200-amp single-phase temporary drop costs the base utility fees plus a simple pole install. If you need 480V three-phase, the utility may require a larger transformer or an engineered plan, which can add $1,000 to $5,000 in upgrade costs. The TempPowerPath $179 kit handles 480V with generator power and skips that utility upgrade fee.

What is the cheapest way to get temp power in Arizona?

For a utility drop, SRP's $15 application fee and $150 deposit make it the cheapest upfront option, assuming you're in SRP territory. If your project is very short and needs only a few kilowatts, a rented small generator may skip all permit and utility costs, but fuel expenses stack up fast.

Is temp power cost in Arizona higher in summer?

The utility fees don't change with the season. But electrician labor rates in Phoenix and Tucson can climb 10 to 20% in summer when construction demand is high and outdoor work is brutal. A pole install that runs $400 in January might cost $500 in July. Book the electrician early.

Do I need a separate inspection for temp power in Arizona?

Usually yes. Most cities require a combination inspection (meter spot and electrical rough-in) before the utility energizes the temporary service. SRP lets certified contractors self-inspect, waiving the utility inspection. APS almost always sends a company inspector. ^[2]

How does temp power cost in Arizona compare to generators?

The utility route costs $550 to $1,200 all-in for the first week, permits and labor included. A rented 10 kW generator costs about the same for that first week, but the generator cost repeats every week. After two weeks, utility temp power wins by a wide margin, unless you need 480V three-phase, where a generator may avoid a large utility upgrade.

Sources

1. Arizona Corporation Commission: APS lists a $35 nonrefundable processing fee and notes a deposit may be required; typical deposit $200 for a single-phase temporary drop.
2. SRP Temporary Construction Power Page: SRP charges a $15 nonrefundable application fee and a $150 refundable deposit per meter for temporary power.
3. City of Phoenix Planning & Development, Temporary Service Permit: Phoenix requires an electrical permit for temporary service with a fee; online filing available.
4. Arizona Registrar of Contractors Licensing Brochure: Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-1151 requires a ROC license for work over $1,000; owner-builder exemption explained.
5. Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. § 32-1151: Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-1151 is the state licensing statute that makes unlicensed contracting over the statutory threshold unlawful.
6. U.S. Energy Information Administration: EIA publishes Arizona retail electricity rates used as the approximate $/kWh operating-cost figures in the utility vs generator comparison.