In Ontario, Canada, permanent holiday lights do not typically require approval from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) as long as they are installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable safety regulations.
It is also important to note that if the permanent holiday lights are intended for commercial use or installed in public places, it may require some additional permits or approvals. It is always recommended to check with the local building code and electrical safety authority before installing permanent lights to make sure that they comply with any local regulations or codes.
In Ontario, homeowners enjoy a bit more leeway when it comes to wiring, to be compared to third-party contractors. In many cases, you can modify your own wiring—provided, of course, you adhere to code, possess the necessary skills, and undergo an ESA inspection afterward. But let’s not get bogged down in the details. For most holiday lighting setups, you’re not altering your home’s existing wiring; you’re simply connecting a box to the nearest outlet. Thankfully, Ontario hasn’t yet required a special license for this straightforward task. But given the ever-changing landscape of Electrical Code regulations, who knows? That day might not be too far off.