Subdivision A
General Provisions
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008; amended 6-3-2020 by Ord. No. 170]
The duties of the Electrical Inspector are:
(a) 
The Electrical Inspector and/or his/her designees are authorized as agents of the City to make inspections and reinspections of electrical installations heretofore and hereafter required and to approve and disapprove the installations. In no event, however, will the cost or expense of inspections and reinspections be charged against the City.
(b) 
The Electrical Inspector or his designee shall receive all applications, and, at the Electrical Inspector's discretion, he/she may require plans and specifications for electrical wiring and equipment installations to be submitted at the time of application; and shall review them for conformance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code; and to issue permits for the work to be performed; and shall make inspections of all new and additional electrical installations and reinspections of all existing electrical installations.
(c) 
The Electrical Inspector or his/her designee shall keep complete records of all inspections made and other official work performed under the provisions of this article.
(d) 
The Electrical Inspector, upon notification by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, may order the discontinuance of electrical service to any electrical installation found to be defectively installed, not in conformity with the provisions of this article, in cases of emergency where the electrical currents are dangerous to life and property or where the wires may interfere with the work of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(e) 
The Electrical Inspector or his/her designee shall inspect all electrical wiring and equipment installation to assure compliance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, and report, in writing, to the Code Commissioner all violations of the provisions of this article and the National Electrical Code.
(f) 
The Electrical Inspector or his/her designee shall receive and review applications and issue permits for the purpose of ensuring compliance with this article.
(g) 
The Electrical Inspector or his/her designee shall make periodic inspections and reinspections of electrical wiring and equipment installation work while underway and a final inspection of all such work.
(h) 
The Electrical Inspector or his/her designee shall issue a certificate of compliance/approval following final inspection for work that he/she finds is in compliance with the National Electrical Code and this article.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a) 
The inspection agent may make periodic reinspections of all electrical installations now installed or that may hereafter be installed within the scope of this article. When electrical installations are found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the person owning, using or operating the installation shall be notified in writing of the defects.
(b) 
The necessary repairs or changes required to place the electrical installations in safe condition shall be completed within 10 days or a longer period as may be specified by the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(c) 
The electrical service to all electrical installations found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition may be ordered disconnected until the installation has been made safe and approved by the inspection agent.
Subdivision B
Electrical Board
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a) 
The Electrical Board shall consist of the Commissioner of Codes Enforcement or the Commissioner's designated representative who shall be ex officio member of the Board; one employee of the City, other than the Commissioner of Codes Enforcement, who shall be ex officio member and Secretary of the Board; the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention who shall be ex officio member; two electrical contractors who are engaged in the business of the installation of electrical equipment and who are the holders of unexpired, unsuspended, unrevoked master electrician's licenses, one of whom shall be a member of the National Electrical Contractors' Association and one of whom shall be a member of the Central New York Electrical Contractors' Association; one journeyman electrician who is engaged with the tools of the trade as a journeyman electrician or who is an electrical foreman and who is the holder of an unexpired, unsuspended, unrevoked journeyman electrician's license; a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; one electrical sign contractor who is engaged in the business of the installation of electrical signs and outline lighting and who is the holder of an unexpired, unsuspended, unrevoked master sign specialist's license; one representative of the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation; and one representative of a local inspection agency approved by the Commissioner of Codes Enforcement. Each duly appointed member of the Board, including ex officio members, shall have equal voice in all matters coming before the Board.
(b) 
Each of the Board members shall be appointed by the Mayor. The terms of the Board members, other than the ex officio members, shall expire as follows: three members on December 31, 1984, and three members on December 31, 1986. Thereafter, each member, other than ex officio members, shall be appointed for a term of three years.
(c) 
Each member, other than ex officio members, shall be paid by the City an annual salary of $500. The salary of the Secretary to the Board shall be established according to law by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment.
(d) 
Employment of one member of the Board by another member of the Board for as long as two consecutive calendar months shall automatically disqualify the employed member for as long as the employed member is so employed. Upon disqualification, a successor shall be appointed by the Mayor to serve the remainder of the disqualified member's appointed term.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a) 
Notice of a meeting shall take place 10 days prior to the meeting.
(b) 
The Electrical Board may make and promulgate its own rules governing its meetings and proceedings, including selection of a chairperson, subject to the provisions of this subdivision. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
(a) 
The Secretary to the Electrical Board shall keep a record of all examinations held and of all applicants examined and the results of the examinations, together with any other records as the Board may direct. The records of the names and applications of all applicants shall be kept permanently. Other records or papers may be destroyed pursuant to the provision of law.
(b) 
Examinations shall be held at four-month intervals, when there are qualified applicants, for a period of three hours, the exact time and place for the examinations to be set by the Board.
Subdivision C
Permits, Inspections, etc.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008; amended 4-17-2013 by Ord. No. 88; 6-3-2020 by Ord. No. 170]
(a) 
No license holder shall commence or perform any electrical work within the City of Utica without first obtaining a permit as provided herein for each building or structure or installation in which the electrical work is to be done, nor shall any alteration or addition be made to any such existing equipment without a permit having first been issued.
(b) 
Intrusion alarms and heat/smoke detecting systems.
(1) 
For intrusion alarm and heat/smoke detecting systems, a permit is required for the following instances: new installations of a heat/smoke detecting or intrusion alarm system.
(2) 
Extension of an existing heat/smoke detecting system.
(3) 
Change from an interior to a perimeter intrusion alarm system or the addition of an interior or perimeter intrusion alarm system to an existing system.
(c) 
The Code Commissioner, upon the recommendation of the Electrical Inspector, may revoke a permit previously issued if he/she finds that:
(1) 
There was a false statement or a misrepresentation as to a material fact in the application, plans, or specifications on the basis of which the permit was issued; or
(2) 
The permit was issued in error or not in accordance with the applicable law; or
(3) 
The work under the permit is not being performed in accordance with the provisions of the approved application, plans, and specifications; or
(4) 
The person to whom the permit was issued has failed or refused to comply with an order issued by the Electrical Inspector and/or Code Commissioner.
(a) 
Who may obtain a permit. No permit hereunder for electrical work shall be issued except to a person holding a current, active master electrician license duly issued pursuant to this chapter which is adequate to perform the electrical work described in the application for such permit.
(b) 
Application for permit. An application for an electrical permit shall be made to the City of Utica Code Department and shall be made on forms provided by the Electrical Inspector and shall contain the following information:
(1) 
The full name, address and telephone number of the license holder.
(2) 
The category, number and date of issuance of the applicant's licenses.
(3) 
A brief description of the nature of the proposed electrical work.
(4) 
The business name, business address, business telephone number of the person, firm, or corporation who will do the work.
(5) 
The site or location of the proposed work, and the name and address of the owners or agents thereof.
(6) 
A statement of the present and proposed use and occupancy of the premises where the electrical work is to be done.
(7) 
The signature of the license holder.
(c) 
The Electrical Inspector at his discretion may require an electrical permit to be accompanied by two copies of plans and specification including all relevant details of the existing system and proposed installation or alteration. The aforementioned relevant details should include the following:
(1) 
The name, signature, and address of the person or firm responsible for preparation of such drawings and specifications, and the seal of the engineer(s) or architect(s) responsible for the preparation of such drawings and specifications shall be stamped on each drawing and signature affixed thereto in accordance with Article 145 or 147 of the Education Law of the State of New York.
(2) 
A complete electrical layout with a service diagram showing load breakdown and sizes of service and feeder conductors for all electrical wiring and equipment.
(3) 
Complete elevator layout.
(4) 
Amendments, if any, to the application or to the plans and specifications accompanying the same shall be filed with the City of Utica Codes Department and approval therefor obtained prior to the commencement of any change in the work.
(d) 
Each application shall be accompanied by the applicable fee as provided in this section. When an application, as required herein, detailed plans and specifications, and in the event such application is not approved, or the permits not issued for any reason, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of 50% of the fee paid or any amount that is in excess of $25, whichever is higher, provided that no work has been commenced. If work has been started, no part of the fee shall be refunded.
(a) 
All applications for permits shall be dated, numbered and taken up in the order received. The Electrical Inspector or his designee shall examine or cause to be examined all applications for permits and the plans, specifications and documents filed therewith. Nothing herein shall require the Electrical Inspector or his designee to approve or disapprove the application within such period if necessary reviews by other agencies or departments have not been completed.
(b) 
The issuance of a permit shall not be construed as approval of plans, specifications or schedules of work contemplated by the permit.
(c) 
If the Electrical Inspector determines that the application and the work described therein conform to all the requirements of the applicable laws, codes and regulations and upon receipt of the legal fees therefor, the Electrical Inspector shall approve the application and issue an electrical permit to the applicant upon the form prescribed and shall affix the date and his signature or cause his signature to be affixed thereto. The Electrical Inspector, in his/her discretion, may attach such conditions to this approval of the application and issuance of the permit as may be required to assure compliance with this code and other applicable laws or regulations. Where the work to be done includes the installations of (prefabricated) electrical appliances, the permit shall be issued subject to the condition that such installation shall conform to the manufacturer's specifications.
(d) 
Upon approval of this application, each set of plans and specifications shall be endorsed with the date and the word "Approved." One set of such approved plans and specifications shall be retained in the files of the Codes Department; one set shall be kept by the applicant at the building site open to inspection by the Electrical Inspector or his/her designee at all reasonable times.
(e) 
If the application, together with the plans, specifications and other documents filed therewith, describes proposed work which does not conform to all of the requirements of the applicable laws, codes and regulations, the Electrical Inspector shall disapprove the same and shall return the plans and specifications to the applicant. Upon the request of the applicant, the Electrical Inspector shall cause such refusal, together with the reasons therefor, to be transmitted to the applicant in writing.
(f) 
An application which has been disapproved may be resubmitted with such modifications and support data as the applicant believes will overcome the objections to its approval, and the Electrical Inspector, in his discretion, may waive the payment of additional fees if such application is resubmitted within 180 days of the return to the applicant of the original plans.
(g) 
The issuance of a permit or the approval of drawings and specifications shall not be construed to be a permit for, nor an approval of, any violation of or deviation from the provisions of this Code or any other ordinance, law, rule or regulation. A permit issued shall be invalid if the work completed is deemed a violation of this Code, or deviation therefrom ensued. When such violation occurs, the permit shall be deemed to be cancelled and the electrical installation shall be made to conform with the provisions of this Code or shall be removed.
(h) 
The issuance of a permit based upon drawings and specifications shall not prevent the Codes Department from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said drawings and specifications or from stopping unlawful electrical installations being carried out thereunder.
(a) 
Any permit issued hereunder shall expire:
(1) 
If the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within six months after the date such permit was issued, or within such shorter period as the Electrical Inspector or his designee in his direction may specify at the time the permit is issued.
(2) 
If the work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 60 days, or such shorter period as the Electrical Inspector or his/her designee may specify at the time the permit is issued, after the work has been started.
(b) 
For good cause, the Electrical Inspector may allow an extension of the foregoing period as his/her discretion.
(c) 
Expired permits shall be cancelled and no refund of the permit fee shall be made. Before the work can be commenced or resumed, a new permit shall be obtained. The fee thereof shall be twice the amount required for the original permit, provided that no substantial changes have been made in the original plans and specifications, and provided further, that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. The Electrical Inspector may waive the fee for such new permit if the imposition of such fee would pose a hardship on the applicant.
An electrician who obtains a permit to correct violations, for which notice has been issued by any Electrical Inspector, shall proceed with the corrective measures within 48 hours and shall complete the measures within 90 days of the date of issuance of the permit. Where the required repairs are extensive enough to require a longer period of time to complete than 90 days, the Commissioner of Codes Enforcement shall grant as many extensions as are necessary to complete the job, provided that the applicant for the time extensions furnishes proof satisfactory to the Commissioner that reasonable and continuous progress has been made to remove the electrical defects and complete the required repairs without any unnecessary delays.
(a) 
Upon the starting of the installation of the electrical work, the electrician installing the work shall notify the Electrical Inspector on forms provided for that purpose. The Electrical Inspector shall inspect the installation within 48 to 72 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, of the time the notice is received. If the installation is found to be fully in compliance with the National Electrical Code, and this article and does not constitute a hazard to life and property, the Electrical Inspector shall issue to the public utility corporation a temporary (i.e., thirty-, sixty- or ninety-day) or permanent permit authorizing connection to the electrical service, the turning on of the current and the use of the installation.
(b) 
If, upon inspection, the installation is not found to be fully in compliance with the National Electrical Code and this article, the Electrical Inspector shall at once forward written notice, stating the defects which have been found to exist, to the electrician installing the work. The electrician shall correct the defects within 24 hours of receipt of notice and shall notify the Electrical Inspector of the correction immediately.
(c) 
When any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden from view by the placement of permanent parts of the building, the electrician installing the wiring shall notify the Electrical Inspector. The wiring installation shall not be concealed until it has been inspected, provided that on large installations where the concealment of parts of the wiring proceeds continuously, inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the work.
(d) 
If the electrical installation, upon completion, is found to be in full compliance with this article, the Electrical Inspector shall issue a final certificate of compliance/approval.
(e) 
Responsibilities of permit holder. All work shall conform to the National Electrical Code, approved application, approved plans and specifications, and all approved modifications to said plans and specifications shall be performed in accordance with the provisions herein and any applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. The issuance of a permit shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any requirements of applicable laws, codes, or regulations, unless otherwise expressly provided herein. Any work started and not completed shall be left in a safe and secure condition.
(f) 
Revocation of permit. The Electrical Inspector or his/her designee may revoke a permit issued in the following instances:
(1) 
Where he/she finds that there has been any false statement or misrepresentation to a material fact in the application, plans or specifications or with applicable laws, codes, regulations or conditions of the permit; or
(2) 
Where he/she finds that the work detailed under the permit was issued in error and should not have been issued in accordance with applicable law; or
(3) 
Where he finds that the work detailed under the permit is not being performed in accordance with the provisions of the application, plans or specification or with applicable laws, codes, regulations, or conditions of the permit; or
(4) 
Where the person to whom a permit has been issued fails or refuses to comply with a stop-work order issued by the Electrical Inspector or his/her designee.
(g) 
Notice of such revocation and the reason therefor shall be in writing and shall be served upon the owner and person to whom the permit was issued.
(h) 
Stop-work order.
(1) 
Whenever the Electrical Inspector or his/her designee has reasonable grounds to believe that electrical work on any building, structure, or property is being performed in violation of the provisions of the applicable laws, codes, or regulations, or is not in conformity with the provisions of the application, plans, specifications, or the conditions on the basis of which the permit was issued, or is being performed in an unsafe and dangerous manner, he/she shall order the owner of the property, and the person to whom the permit was issued, if other than the owner, to suspend all work, and any such persons shall stop such electrical work and take such precautionary measure as required for the protection of the public, until the stop-work order has been rescinded.
(2) 
A written copy of such order and notice stating the conditions under which the work may be resumed shall immediately thereafter be served upon a person to whom it is directed. No electrical work shall be resumed on such building, structure or property unless the Electrical Inspector has rescinded such stop-work order. Upon refusal or failure to comply with such order, in addition to the penalties otherwise provided herein, the Electrical Inspector may initiate the necessary action to compel the cutting of electrical current to such installation until the same has been placed in a safe condition, if he/she deems such measure necessary for the protection of the public.
(a) 
Permit filing fees.
(1) 
The base filing fee for permits for installing, altering or extending an electrical installment shall be as follows:
a. 
Commercial, new construction/additions: $60.
b. 
Commercial, renovations/remodeling: $40.
c. 
One- and two-family dwellings, new construction/additions: $30 per unit.
d. 
One- and two-family dwellings, renovations/remodeling: $25 per unit.
e. 
Multiple dwellings, renovation/remodeling: $25 per unit for the first three units, plus $5 per unit thereafter.
(2) 
In addition to the base filing fees set forth above, an additional fee of $2 for each opening shall be assessed. For those situations where no terminations are involved, such as meter sets, service disconnects and reconnects in which the Codes Department renders solely an administrative service, the permit fee shall be $25.
(b) 
Plan review fees. The fee for the review of those plans submitted, if required for non-over-the-counter review, shall be $25. This fee shall be due and payable at the time the plans are submitted for review.
(c) 
Payment. No permit shall be issued unless the applicable fee as enumerated herein shall have been paid. All fees shall be paid by cash, check or money order payable to the City of Utica.
(d) 
No refunds. When a permit shall have been revoked or suspended, no refund of any portion of the fee shall be made.
(e) 
Double fees. Except in the cases of emergency repairs, the fee shall be doubled when work has been started before the Codes Department has issued the permit.
(f) 
Exempt projects. No fee shall be charged for municipal, county, state or federal governmental projects.
(g) 
A certificate of completion shall be issued only when the requirements of the permit are satisfied.