(a)
Adoption by resolution. The County Commissioners
shall, by resolution, after a public hearing upon at least fifteen
days notice, adopt or amend an electrical code for the purpose of
establishing rules and regulations for the installation, renewal,
extension and reception of electrical wiring and electrical apparatus
in existing buildings, structures or outdoor electrical displays or
signs or in the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair
of buildings, structures or outdoor electrical displays or signs.
The 1975 National Electrical Code as recommended by the National Fire
Protection Association shall be in effect until amended or changed
pursuant hereto.
(b)
Adopted code shall govern. When the terms
of the electrical code so adopted are inconsistent with the terms
hereof, the terms hereof shall be governing.
(c)
Work to conform to code. The code shall govern
all electrical work regardless of whether or not such work is required
to be done by licensed personnel or inspection hereunder.
As used in this Subtitle, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Worcester County Board of Electrical Examiners.
The written authorization from the electrical inspector or
authorized inspection agency to the power company in order to connect
power to an electrical system.
The Worcester County Department of Licenses and Permits or
such other county department as the County Commissioners designate
by resolution.
Includes all electrical apparatus, electrical wiring, electrical
fixtures and electrical supplies used as a part of any installation
for the transmission or utilization of electrical energy. This shall
include all equipment necessary to operate the physical plant and
ventilating, heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration and water-heating
systems, provided that said term shall not include portable lamps,
electrical appliances and special manufacturing equipment separable
from permanently fixed plug-in receptacles.
Any work performed on electrical wiring systems, including
low-voltage wiring systems, such as but not limited to lighting, controls,
communications, burglar and fire alarms.
[Amended 5-19-2015 by
Bill No. 15-2]
A person authorized hereby by license to engage in electrical
work on single phase electrical services and circuits of two hundred
forty volts or less in non-hazardous locations in residential, commercial
and agricultural structures and having a sufficient knowledge of such
type or types as determined by the Board.
[Amended 5-19-2015 by
Bill No. 15-2]
A person authorized hereby by license to engage in electrical
work of the following types and having a sufficient knowledge of such
type or types as determined by the Board: (1) electrically operated
heating or air-conditioning equipment; (2) electrically operated refrigeration
equipment; (3) electrically operated display signs; (4) electrically
operated home appliances; (5) electrically operated fire alarm or
detection systems; (6) other electrical apparatuses of a similar nature
as the Board may determine by written regulation. An "electrician
limited" may not work on multiphase electrical wiring systems or appliances
unless he is specifically licensed therefor by the Board.
A person licensed by the Department of Licenses and Permits
as an electrician's assistant pursuant to the terms hereof and authorized
to perform electrical work as herein contemplated.
The Clerk of the Department of Licenses and Permits or such
other person as the County Commissioners designate by resolution.
Electrical work not including new installation (except by
replacement of existing installations with the same as those replaced)
and without additional installations or fixtures, an increase in electrical
power consumption, change of phase, increase in service capacity or
change in electrical characteristics.
A person authorized hereby by license to engage in or hold
himself out to the public as engaged in the business of installing,
erecting and repairing or contracting to install, erect or repair
electric wire or conductors to be used for the transmission of electric
current for electric light, heat or power purposes, mouldings, ducts,
raceways or conduits for the reception of such wires or conductors
or to electrical machinery, apparatus, devices or fixtures to be used
for electric light, heat or power purposes, elevators or escalators,
including multiphase electrical work, or planning, laying out and
supervising such electrical work. A "master electrician" is also authorized
to perform any work which an electrician general or electrician limited
may perform.
An electrical installation which is single phase, of twenty
amperes/one hundred twenty volts AC or less and installed in an existing
structure, the installation of decorative outdoor lighting operating
at a nominal 48 volts DC or less and associated cabling and luminaries
or electrical wiring systems operating at a nominal 48 volts DC or
less such as but not limited to controls, communications, burglar
alarms, audio, video and information technology systems when installed
in one- and two-family dwelling units.
[Amended 5-19-2015 by
Bill No. 15-2]
Any location not determined to be a hazardous (Classified)
location pursuant to Article 500 of the National Electrical Code,
as from time to time amended, duly adopted pursuant to § BR
2-201(a) hereof.
[Added 5-19-2015 by Bill
No. 15-2]
Corporations, companies and partnerships, as well as individuals.
The temporary placing of a license with the Board in an inactive
status.
Under the direction of and subject to the inspection of the
supervising party (be the party a master electrician, electrician
general or electrician limited) and to the end that the supervising
party shall be responsible for the work of one who works under him
as though such work had been done by such supervising party and further
subject to the licensing provisions herein.
(a)
There is hereby established a Board of Electrical Examiners of Worcester
County.
(b)
Members. There shall be seven members of the
Board, one of whom shall be an electrician currently engaged in the
electrical contracting business in Worcester County, Maryland, and
who has been so engaged in such business for at least five years prior
to this appointment and one of whom shall be an electrician actively
engaged in the electrical business in Worcester County. All shall
be residents of Worcester County, Maryland.
[Amended 3-18-2003 by Bill No. 03-4]
(c)
Appointment. Members of the Board shall be
appointed by the County Commissioners.
(d)
Terms. The initial term shall be two terms
of one year, two terms of two years and three terms of three years.
Subsequent to the initial term, all terms shall be three years.
[Amended 3-18-2003 by Bill No. 03-4]
(e)
Removal. Members of the Board may be removed
for written cause by the County Commissioners after a hearing before
said County Commissioners upon not less than fifteen days written
notice.
The Worcester County Commissioners may remove any member of
the Board from office upon written charges after an opportunity to
be held by such member to be removed for misconduct, incompetency,
neglect of duty or other sufficient cause.
Members of the Board shall receive such allowance for expenses
and such compensation as the County Commissioners shall from time
to time determine.
The Board shall hold an organizational meeting and annually
elect a Chairman and two Vice Chairmen. The Board shall adopt rules
of procedure to govern meetings of the Board and shall hold such meetings
as the Chairman shall determine necessary and proper for the Board
to carry out its prescribed duties.
(a)
License required. No person shall hold himself
out to the public as being a qualified master electrician or electrician
(general or limited), as defined herein, or use such terms in connection
with his name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or description
tending to convey the impression that he is a master electrician or
electrician (general or limited) unless such person has been duly
licensed under the provisions of this Subtitle, and no person shall
perform work upon or contract for work upon electrical wiring systems
unless duly licensed under the terms of this Subtitle.
(b)
Electrician limited. In order to perform electrical
work as defined herein for an electrician limited, a person must be
so licensed as an electrician limited (with the proper endorsement
on said license to allow the work in such limited fields) or be licensed
as an electrician general or master electrician.
(c)
Electrician general. In order to perform electrical
work as defined herein for an electrician general, a person must be
duly licensed hereunder as an electrician general or master electrician.
(d)
Master electrician. In order to perform electrical
work as defined herein for a master electrician, a person must be
duly licensed hereunder as a master electrician.
(e)
Display of license. Any master electrician
or electrician general duly licensed hereunder shall publicly display
the wording "licensed master electrician" or "licensed electrician
general," as appropriate, together with his license number on the
exterior of all motor vehicles used in connection with the license
holder's business.
(f)
Exceptions. The licensing provisions of this
Subtitle shall not apply to:
(1)
Any electric light or power company, electric railway company,
steam railway company, diesel railway company or telegraph, telephone
or cable television company nor to any person performing the electrical
work of any such company, when such work is part of the plan or service
of the company in rendering its authorized service to the public.
(2)
Any person doing minor electrical work as defined herein in
a single-family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, provided
that the person is the bona fide owner and occupant of such dwelling
and said person purchases all material and personally performs all
labor in connection therewith and provided that all work must be done
in accordance with the code adopted herein and subject to inspection.
However, if an electrical permit is required by the electrical code
for the proposed work, an electrical permit must be obtained by a
licensed electrician and the work completed by a licensed electrician.
[Amended 6-20-2017 by Bill No. 17-5]
(3)
Repair or maintenance within a commercial or industrial (nonresident)
plant, facility or factory of equipment, electrical systems or machinery
by regularly employed trained employees of the owners or operator
of such plant, facility or factory.
(g)
Electrician's assistants. Electrician's assistants
may work under the supervision of duly licensed master electricians,
electricians general or electricians limited, provided that work done
by electrician's assistants under such supervision shall be limited
to the work that might be done under the term of this Subtitle by
the supervising master electrician, electrician general or electrician
limited and further provided that such supervising master electrician,
electrician general or electrician limited shall in all ways be responsible
for the work done by an electrician's assistant while under his supervision
and further provided that no master electrician, electrician general
or electrician limited may supervise more than fifteen men at one
time without special written approval by the Board and further provided
that such electrician's assistant must be duly licensed pursuant hereto
and registered with the Board as working under the supervision of
the master electrician, electrician general or electrician limited
who is supervising such electrician's assistant at all times. Licensed
electricians of any class may shelve their licenses and work as assistants
under a supervising master, general or limited. Any person holding
a license as master, general or limited shall be bonded as herein
prescribed (unless his license is shelved) and shall be responsible
for all work he performs or supervises. Licensed electricians with
shelved licenses working as assistants shall be responsible as assistant.
The Board may prescribe forms for and methods of registration for
assistants.
(h)
Electrical work done by a corporation. Every
firm, company or corporation performing work on electrical wiring
systems in Worcester County shall have at least one duly licensed
natural person holding a license of the proper class designated as
licensee for the firm, company or corporation. Every licensee for
a firm, company or corporation must be regularly engaged in supervising
all the electrical work done by the firm, company or corporation and
shall be responsible for all electrical work so supervised by him.
No license may be assigned to more than one firm, company or corporation.
Assignments of licenses as contemplated hereby shall be done upon
written request to the Board and only strictly in accordance herewith.
All permits issued to a firm, company or corporation shall be issued
in the name of the individual licensee.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § BR 2-207, Seal, was repealed
10-19-1993 by Bill No. 93-22.
(a)
Master electrician. In order to be licensed
as a master electrician, a person must pass the test given by the
County Board of Electrical Examiners for a master electrician's license.
To be eligible to take the master electrician's test, a person must,
either for at least seven years next preceding the taking of such
test or for at least four years out of the six years next preceding
the taking of such test, have actively engaged in those fields of
work outlined for a master electrician under § BR 2-202
of this Subtitle under the supervision of a duly licensed master electrician,
who may be a licensed master electrician of another jurisdiction recognized
in the county. Training in technical school or college may be substituted
for not more than three years of the requirement. A master electrician
must be at least eighteen years of age. The determination of eligibility
to take the master electrician's test and the determination of passage
or failure of such test shall be the province of the County Board
of Electrical Examiners. Anyone holding a Maryland State Master Electrician's
License issued under Article 56, § 532, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland shall be exempt from testing and be entitled to the
issuance of a master electrician license upon payment of the appropriate
fee. If the test is taken after four years experience and less than
seven years experience, the master electrician license issued shall
bear the notation "Worcester County."
[Amended 9-7-2021 by Bill No. Emergency 21-1]
(1)
Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements contained in Subsection
( a) above, any individual who held a valid Worcester County license
as an electrician general as of June 30, 2021, may apply to take a
test to qualify as a master electrician in accordance with the provisions
of § BR 2-210 hereof, and upon passage thereof be issued
a master electrician license retroactive to June 30, 2021, provided
the following criterion are met:
A.
The individual must have been actively engaged in the provision of
electrical services while holding a valid electrician general license
in Worcester County for at least seven years preceding the taking
of such test. The Board may consider training in a technical school
or college or the active engagement in the provision of electrical
services while under the direct supervision of a duly licensed master
electrician to count for equivalent years of experience.
B.
The individual must have been in good standing, without any complaints
filed in Worcester County within the preceding seven years.
(2)
The dates and times for administration of any test administered in
accordance with Subsection (a)(1) above shall be determined by the
Board. The Board shall provide written notice, by either email or
through the United States Postal Service, to all individuals that
held a valid Worcester County General Electrician' s license as of
June 30, 2021, sent not less than 60 days prior to the date of administration
of the test. Any applicant desirous of such testing shall file a written
application to the Board, on forms provided by the Board, not less
than 30 calendar days prior to the administration of the test.
(b)
Electrician general. In order to be licensed
as an electrician general, a person must pass the test given by the
Worcester County Board of Electrical Examiners for an electrician
general's license. To be eligible to take the electrician general's
test, a person must, for at least four consecutive years preceding
the taking of such test, have been actively engaged in those fields
of work outlined for an electrician general under § BR 2-202
of this Subtitle under the supervision of a duly licensed master electrician
or electrician general, which may be a licensed master electrician
or electrician general of another jurisdiction recognized in Worcester
County. One year of training in a technical school or college may
be substituted for not more than one year of this requirement. An
electrician general must be at least eighteen years of age. The determination
of eligibility to take the electrician general's test and the determination
of passage or failure of such test shall be the province of the Board
of Electrical Examiners of Worcester County.
[Amended 5-19-2015 by
Bill No. 15-2]
(c)
Electrician limited. Must possess a reasonable
knowledge of electricity as it relates to the particular types of
wiring for which he is applying. The license of an electrician limited
will specify the type of electrical work under that classification
to which the license is limited, e.g., to perform work on refrigeration
equipment only, refrigeration equipment and home appliances, or any
combination of those types of work which electricians limited are
allowed to do under the provisions hereof. He must have passed the
test given by the Board or prove to the satisfaction of the Board
that he is qualified to perform such electrical work. An electrician
limited must be at least eighteen years of age.
(d)
Electrician's assistant. Electrician's assistants
must make application for license as electrician's assistants. Unless
cause be shown to the contrary, the license for electrician's assistants
shall be issued automatically by the License Clerk and need only be
signed by the License Clerk or other designee of the Board.
(e)
Transitional provisions.
(1)
The provisions of this section as they relate to licensure are
not intended to affect any licenses issued prior to the enactment
hereof or any renewal thereof whether such licenses were obtained
through the transitional provisions previously enforced under Ordinance
No. 30, as amended, of the Ordinances of Worcester County, other than
a license which has been revoked or suspended pursuant to this Subtitle
or pursuant to Ordinance No. 30.
(2)
The Board shall waive the requirement for supervision of a master
electrician as contained in § BR 2-208(a) and the requirement
for supervision of an electrician general in § BR 2-208(b)
for any resident of Worcester County who was a resident as of the
date of passage (not the effective date) of this Subtitle applying
to the Board not later than ninety days from the effective date of
this Subtitle for testing as master electrician or electrician general
for those persons meeting the other qualifications of § BR
2-208(a) and (b) for testing. The Board may require any such applicant
to present proof as to qualification (other than the supervision requirement),
and it shall be the responsibility of the Board to make the determination
as to whether or not such applicant qualifies under the provisions
of this subsection. It is not the intent of this subsection that any
such person not be required to pass the test given for the class of
license applied for nor to waive any other requirements of this Subtitle.
(f)
Continuing education. Beginning with those
licenses which will expire on the last day of December 2015 and henceforth
with each subsequent biannual application for renewal of a license,
in addition to the renewal fee and any other required information,
each applicant shall provide proof of continuing education from a
course or training based on any article or update of the duly adopted
National Electrical Code (NEC) or based on any code or standard of
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that relates to the
provision of electrical services totaling not less than the following
amounts, at least one-half of which must be obtained in a classroom
setting:
[Added 5-19-2015 by Bill
No. 15-2]
(1)
One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) of training in accordance
with the standards of the American National Standards Institution
(ANSI)/International Association for Continuing Education and Training
(IACET); or
(2)
Ten hours of continuing education from a provider approved by
the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR),
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing; or
(3)
Any combination of Subsection (f)(1) and (2) above that totals
ten hours of continuing education.
Applications for licenses must: (1) be on forms prescribed and
furnished by the Department of Licenses and Permits; and (2) contain
a statement made under oath showing the applicant's education and
a detailed summary of his work experience and qualifications.
In order to be certified by the Board for licensing (other than
for electrician's assistants), applicants meeting the qualifications
herein set forth shall be tested from their knowledge of those areas
of electricity required by this Subtitle for the type of license sought.
The test shall be administered by the Board and may be written, practical,
oral or by any method which the Board sees fit which will properly
test the applicant's abilities and knowledge. The Board shall set
standards for passage and failure of the test.
[Added 11-16-1999 by Bill No. 99-6[1]]
(a)
Scope. The provisions of this section do not
apply to a licensee on inactive status.
(b)
Insurance required. All persons holding an
active electrical license in Worcester County under the provisions
of this Title shall:
(c)
Renewal. Each applicant requesting renewal
of an electrical license in Worcester County pursuant to the requirements
of this Title shall submit proof of the required insurance with their
application for renewal. Unless the applicant meets the insurance
requirements of this section, the Board of Electrical Examiners of
Worcester County shall not renew the license to perform electrical
work within Worcester County.
(d)
Notice of cancellation. If the insurance required
under this section is canceled, the insured shall notify the Board
of Electrical Examiners of Worcester County within 10 days after the
date of cancellation and at the discretion of the Board of Electrical
Examiners of Worcester County, the electrician's license shall be
revoked or shelved in accordance with the provisions of § BR
2-214(c) and § BR 2-215 hereof.
[1]
Editor's Note: This bill also repealed former § BR
2-211, Fee and bond, as amended 10-19-1993 by Bill No. 93-22. For
current provisions on fees, see § BR 2-212(f).
(a)
Issuance. Upon certification of the Board,
the Department of Planning, Permits and Inspections shall issue to
any applicant who has complied with the requirements of this Subtitle
and who, in the opinion of the Board, has satisfactorily met all requirements
of this Subtitle. The license shall indicate which classification
of electrician the registrant has qualified for and shall:
(b)
Rights and privileges. The issuance of a license
by the Department of Licenses and Permits shall be prima facie evidence
that the registrant is entitled to all the rights and privileges of
the classification of electrician named therein while the license
remains unrevoked or unexpired.
(c)
Notification. The Department of Licenses and
Permits shall promptly notify, in writing, the local electrical inspection
authorities of all licenses approved, suspended or revoked.
(d)
License holder working for corporation. In
the event that a license holder proposes to work for a partnership
or corporation as a license holder for such partnership or corporation,
such shall be noted on his license.
(e)
Transfer of license unlawful. It shall be
unlawful for a person to rent, borrow, loan, sell, transfer, alter,
mutilate or change an electrical license.
(f)
Fees. Fees provided for under this Subtitle
shall be as established by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
[Added 11-16-1999 by Bill No. 99-6]
Upon authorization of the Board, the Department of Licenses
and Permits shall, upon application therefor and the payment of the
regular fee and without examination, issue a license as master electrician,
electrician general or electrician limited to any person who holds
such a license or its equivalent issued to him by the proper authorities
of any county, state or territory or district of the United States
or of any country, provided that the requirements where the aforesaid
registration was issued do not conflict with the provisions of this
Subtitle and are of a standard not lower than that specified in this
Subtitle for the classification to be issued by this Board and further
provided that the same rights are given to duly licensed electricians
of this county within such jurisdiction.
(a)
Expiration. With the exception of a license
for an electrician limited, which shall expire on the thirty-first
day of the second December following the license' s issuance or renewal,
all other licenses which have been issued by the Board from time to
time shall expire on December 31, 2021, and have no future force or
effect other than when used to obtain any particular class of electrical
license provided for and issued by the State Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation pursuant to State law and regulation.
[Amended 5-19-2015 by
Bill No. 15-2; 9-7-2021 by Bill No. Emergency 21-1]
(b)
Renewal. Renewal may be effected at any time
during the months of November or December by payment of the annual
renewal fee. In addition to the renewal fee, the licensee shall be
required to pay a reinstatement fee for late renewal. Licenses shall
become invalid if renewal does not take place within ninety days from
the day of expiration.
[Amended 10-19-1993 by Bill No. 93-22]
(c)
Shelving. Any electrician duly licensed hereunder
may, upon written request, have his license shelved. All licenses
held by persons not actively engaged in the electrical business will
be shelved. An annual fee may be charged during the shelving period
and for shelving. No work may be done under a shelved license during
periods of shelving. In the event that a license has been shelved
for a period of five years or more, the Board may, at its discretion,
require an interview or retesting of a person asking to have his license
unshelved and may, upon failure of such person to satisfy the Board
that he is still competent to hold said license, decline to reissue.
(a)
Revocation of license. The Board may revoke
or suspend the license of any licensee who is found guilty of:
(1)
Any fraud or deceit in obtaining the license.
(2)
Any gross negligence, incompetency or misconduct in supplying
material or performing services as an electrician, electrical contractor
or supervisor.
(3)
Permitting or causing defective electrical work if done deliberately,
or if not corrected within fifteen days, or longer if necessary at
the discretion of the Board, following notice thereof by the Board.
(4)
A conviction under the laws of the United States or any state
for a felony; or a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness
and qualification of the applicant or licensee to provide electrical
service in accordance with Building Occupations and Professions Article,
§ 6-316(a)(6) and (c), of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
as from time to time amended.
[Amended 6-20-2017 by Bill No. 17-4]
(5)
Any violation hereof.
(b)
Charges. Any person may prefer charges pursuant
hereto against any licensee. Such charges shall be in writing and
sworn to by the person making them at the time the charges shall be
filed with the License Clerk.
(c)
Hearing by Board. All charges, unless dismissed
summarily by the Board as unfounded, frivolous or trivial, shall be
heard by the Board within ninety days after the date on which they
shall have been filed.
(d)
Procedure for hearing. The time and place
for the hearing shall be fixed by the Board and a copy of the charges,
together with a notice of the time and place of hearing, shall be
personally served on or mailed to the last known address of the licensee,
at least thirty days before the date fixed for the hearing. At any
hearing, the accused licensee shall have the right to appear personally
and by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses appearing against him and
to produce evidence and witnesses in his own defense. If, after such
hearing, a majority of the Board votes in favor of finding the accused
guilty, the Board may revoke or suspend the license of such licensee
at the Board's discretion.
(e)
Action of Board. The maximum time of suspension
that the Board may impose is one hundred eighty days. A revocation
made by the Board may be permanent, subject to the provisions hereof.
(a)
Reissuance of revoked license. A license holder
whose license has been revoked may, after one year, become eligible
for a new license by meeting all of the requirements of this Subtitle
and upon the satisfactory completion of any examination as hereinafter
provided; provided, however, that such license holder did not engage
in electrical work in Worcester County during the time of revocation
and further provided that if a license is revoked by the Board with
a notation "permanent revocation," the applicant may not reapply for
a period of five years and then only upon the unanimous consent of
the Board.
(b)
Reissuance of suspended license. Any license
holder whose license has been suspended may apply for reissuance of
the license upon the completion of the suspension term; provided,
however, that such license holder did not engage in electrical work
in Worcester County during the time of his suspension. Such reapplication
shall be reviewed by the Board and the license issued unless cause
to the contrary is shown. A reissuance fee may be charged.
(c)
Replacement of license. A new license to replace
any license lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued, subject to
the rules of the Board. A reissuance charge may be made.
(d)
Reexamination requirement. In any case of
a revoked or suspended license, the Board may require reexamination
or retesting of the applicant.
(a)
Court review. Any person who is an interested
party and is aggrieved by any decision of the Board of Electrical
Examiners may appeal the same to the Circuit Court for Worcester County.
If, upon the review of the proceedings of the Board, it shall appear
to the Court that additional testimony is necessary for the proper
disposition of the matter, it may take evidence or appoint a referee
to take such evidence as it may direct and report the same to the
Court with his findings of fact and conclusions of law, which shall
constitute a part of the proceedings upon which the determination
of the Court shall be made. The Court may reverse or affirm, wholly
or partly, or may modify the decision brought up for review.
(b)
Court review procedure. An appeal to the Circuit
Court of Worcester County, Maryland, shall be taken in the manner
provided by the Maryland Rules of Procedure, Chapter 1100, Subtitle
B, Administrative Agencies - Appeal from.
(a)
Applicable in unincorporated areas. The provisions
of this Subtitle shall apply throughout the county but shall not apply
within the corporate limits of any incorporated city or town within
the county; provided, however, that if any such city or town may,
by ordinance or resolution duly adopted by its governing body, adopt
this Subtitle as enforceable within such corporate limits and request
that it be enforced therein. Upon such appropriate legislative act
by such governing body, this Subtitle shall be in full force and effect
within the corporate limits of any municipality so adopting it.
(b)
Applicable in Snow Hill and Berlin. The incorporated
Towns of Snow Hill and Berlin, having adopted Ordinance No. 30, as
amended, of which this Subtitle is a recodification, with amendments,
are hereby deemed to have adopted this Subtitle; provided, however,
that such towns may, by ordinance or resolution duly adopted by their
respective governing bodies, unadopt the provisions hereof at some
time subsequent to the effective date hereof, it being the intention
that the previous adoption of Ordinance No. 30, as amended, by the
Towns of Snow Hill and Berlin carry over as an adoption hereof unless
such adoption is duly repudiated according to the terms hereof to
the end that unless so repudiated or unadopted, the provisions of
this Subtitle shall be applicable within the corporate limits of Snow
Hill and Berlin.
(a)
Permit required. No person shall install any
new or used electrical wires, conduits, machinery, apparatus or any
kind of electrical equipment, fixtures, appliances or devices or perform
work on electrical systems (except as hereinafter provided) without
obtaining a permit and having such work or installation inspected
as herein provided or without complying with § BR 2-207
herein, as from time to time amended.
[Amended 6-20-2017 by Bill No. 17-5]
(b)
Issuance. A permit for any such work shall
be obtained from the Worcester County Department of Licenses and Permits
before commencing such work. A fee may be charged for such permit.
In the case of a bona fide emergency where eminent danger to life
and property is present, work may be commenced; provided, however,
that a permit must be obtained within seven hours of the next time
the License Department is open for business.
(c)
Inspection required. All work shall be inspected
by a duly designated county inspector or inspection agency. No qualified
county inspector shall approve a final cut-in card to any light or
power company until all electrical work reasonably contemplated or
required on any construction or electrical job or project has had
a permit issued for its completion and construction or installation
commenced.
(d)
Contract with private inspection agencies. The Board may designate and contract with private inspection agencies
to perform any inspections. Fees charged by such agencies shall be
the liability of the person requesting inspection.
(e)
Cut-in card required for connection. No light
or power company, whether public or private, shall connect any current,
light or power to any property without first obtaining a permanent
or temporary cut-in card from the county inspector or inspection agency
except in case of an emergency when service may be restored by a licensed
electrician prior to obtaining such cut-in card. No permanent or temporary
cut-in cards shall be issued unless said cut-in cards are requested
by a licensed electrician, except for work being done or which has
been done by persons who are not required to be licensed under the
provisions of this Subtitle.
(f)
Permit exception. A minor electrical installation
shall not require an inspection or a permit.
(g)
Inspection exception. Insertion in electrical
circuits of devices or appliances which are properly designed for
such insertion or with the replacement of existing sockets, fixtures,
controls, motors or fuses with like material where no additional wiring
is involved shall not be subject to inspection.
The Board shall set qualifications for electrical inspectors.
In the case of individual inspectors, each proposed inspector shall
be qualified individually by the Board. In the case of an inspection
agency, each individual inspector within Worcester County shall be
duly qualified by the Board. The Board shall issue a license to each
individual electrical inspector and may charge an annual fee therefor.
In the event that the electrical inspector is in the employ of an
approved agency, the agency's name shall also appear on the license.
Electrical inspectors shall be bonded or insured to the satisfaction
of the Board. It shall be unlawful for any person to perform electrical
inspections or hold himself out to the public as a qualified electrical
inspector under the terms of this Subtitle unless duly licensed hereunder.
Electrical inspectors and members of the Board shall have all
such rights of entry as are necessary and proper to ensure compliance
herewith.
[Amended 11-10-1987 by Bill No. 87-5]
Any person who violates the provisions of this Subtitle shall
be guilty of a civil infraction.
