[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Columbia
as Ch. 15.32 of the 1997 Code; amended in its entirety 4-15-2002 by Ord. No. 2043. Subsequent
amendments noted where applicable.]
The term "electrical equipment," as used in this chapter, means
conductors and equipment installed for the utilization of electricity,
but does not include apparatus, conductors and other equipment installed
by public utilities, including common carriers, which are under the
jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission, for use in their
operation as public utilities.
A. Established. There is hereby established an Electrical Commission,
which shall consist of six members, as follows: the Electrical Inspector,
who shall be ex-officio Chairman of such commission; of the other
five members, one shall be a registered professional engineer; one
shall be a registered electrical contractor; one shall be a journeyman
electrician; one shall be a representative of an inspection bureau
maintained by the fire underwriters (or Chief of the Fire Protection
District); and one shall be a representative of an electrical utility
company. Such members shall be appointed for a term of four years
by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The
Electrical Inspector shall serve on such Commission without additional
compensation therefor. The members shall receive no compensation as
members of the Commission.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
B. Duties. The Electrical Commission shall recommend safe and practical
standards, and specifications for the installation, alteration and
use of electrical equipment designed to meet the necessities and conditions
that prevail in the City, shall recommend reasonable rules and regulations
governing the issuance of permits by the Electrical Inspection Department
and shall recommend reasonable fees to be paid for inspection by the
Electrical Inspection Department of all electrical equipment installed
or altered within the City of Columbia. Such standards and specifications,
rules and regulations and fees shall not become effective until adopted
by ordinance by the City Council.
A. Appointment. There is hereby created the Office of Electrical Inspector.
The person chosen to fill the Office of Electrical Inspector shall
be a competent electrician of good moral character. He shall have
had at least five years' experience as a journeyman in the practice
of his trade, or three years' training in a recognized college of
electrical engineering and, in addition thereto, two years of practical
experience in electrical construction for safety to life and property,
and have knowledge of the statutes of the State of Illinois relating
to electrical work and rules and regulations issued by the Fire Marshal
of Illinois under authority of the safety rules and standards approved
by the American Engineering Standards Committee. The Electrical Inspector
shall be appointed by the Mayor, by and with the advice and consent
of the City Council.
B. Fees. The City Clerk shall collect all fees in advance and shall
turn all fees over to the City Treasurer for use by the City and shall
make a monthly report to the City Council in relation thereto.
C. Salary. The salary of the Electrical Inspector shall be set by the
City Council.
Work permits are required for all electrical installations,
alterations and replacements of electrical wiring, equipment, supplies
or devices to be installed in or on property or improvements on property
in the City, as follows:
A. Where any building is undergoing remodeling, all changes to be made
to the electrical installation must be reviewed with the City's Electrical
Inspector and a work permit obtained before the work proceeds.
B. The City's Electrical Inspector shall issue work permits to licensed
electrical contractors or a homeowner, provided the homeowner personally
performs the electrical work and provided the electrical work is to
be installed in the home occupied by the owner and that the home is
a single-family residence or owner-occupied duplex.
C. When a work permit is issued, as provided in the preceding Subsection
B of this section, the Electrical Inspector will inspect such installation and will issue a certificate of approval if the installation meets the requirements of the City's Electrical Code. If the installation fails to meet the requirements of the City's Electrical Code, the permit shall be revoked.
A. The Electrical Inspector shall inspect and shall require that all
work and installations conform to the standards and specifications
applicable thereto which have been recommended and adopted as herein
provided.
B. The Electrical Inspector shall have the right during reasonable hours
to enter any building in the discharge of his official duties, for
the purpose of making any inspection or test of the installation or
alteration of electrical equipment contained therein, and shall have
the authority to cause the turning off of all electrical currents
and to cut or disconnect any conductors where such electrical currents
are dangerous to life or property, or may interfere with the work
of the Fire Protection District.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
C. Any reinspection of any wiring installation made necessary through
the failure of the contractor or homeowner, wiring his own home, to
properly install same, or in violation of the rules, shall be subject
to a fee for each additional inspection in an amount set from time
to time by the City Council. The reinspection fee is to be paid by
the contractor or homeowner wiring his own home.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Upon the completion of the installation or alteration of electrical
equipment in any building, it shall be the duty of the person installing
or altering the same to notify the Electrical Inspector, who shall
inspect the work within 48 hours after such notice is given, and if
such electrical equipment is found to be fully in compliance with
this chapter, and does not constitute a hazard to life or property,
he shall issue to such person for delivery to the owner a certificate
of inspection authorizing connection to the electrical service by
Illinois Power Company or the Monroe County Electrical Cooperative,
and the company turning on the current for the owner with certificate
of final inspection. All wiring which is to be hidden from view shall
be inspected before concealment and any person installing such wires
shall notify the Electrical Inspector, giving him 48 hours in which
to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
No certificate of inspection shall be issued unless the electrical
equipment is in strict conformity with the provisions of the ordinances
of this City and with the statutes of the State of Illinois. Compliance
with the regulations as laid down from time to time in the National
Electrical Code, unless in conflict with such ordinances or statutes,
shall be prima facie evidence of proper installation or alteration.
The provisions for inspection of work authorized by the permits
issued in accordance herewith shall not be construed as prohibiting
the inspection of any electrical equipment whenever the Electrical
Inspector shall determine that the public safety requires it.
The Electrical Inspection Department shall keep complete records
of all permits issued and inspections made and other official work
performed under the provisions of this chapter.
A. Any electrical installation not covered by the following rules shall
be governed by the current National Electrical Code as adopted by
the National Fire Protection Association, with such modifications
and exceptions as are recommended by the Electrical Commission.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
B. Where any building is undergoing remodeling, any changes to be made
in the electrical installation must be taken up with the Electrical
Inspector and approval obtained before the work proceeds.
C. An inspection and certificate of approval by the Electrical Inspector
will be required on the wiring in all new buildings or in remodeled
buildings before the same will be connected to supply lines.
D. Temporary permits may be issued at the option of the Electrical Inspector.
Permits shall be taken out for both old and new work and shall cover
all work to be done. Permits must be obtained before work is started,
and such permits are not transferable.
E. Permits shall be issued only to registered electrical contractors,
or a homeowner, provided such homeowner is qualified to perform electrical
construction work, and provided that such electrical construction
work is to be installed in the home occupied by the owner and that
the home is a single-family residence. The Electrical Inspector shall
pass upon the qualifications of the homeowner.
F. In order for permits to be issued to homeowners, as provided in said Subsection
E above, the homeowner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Electrical Inspector that he is qualified to perform electrical construction work, and that he either presently occupies the home in which the electrical installation is sought to be made, or will, within a reasonable time, occupy the home then under construction; further provided that any person who builds a home or remodels a home for the purpose of rental or sale shall not be classed as a homeowner, as provided in Subsection
E above. It shall be prima facie evidence that the home was built or remodeled for resale if it is occupied by the builder or remodeler for a period of less than two years.
G. Any new wiring methods or systems not previously approved by the
City Electrical Commission shall not be used until presented and approved
by the Electrical Commission.
The rates for electrical inspections shall be in an amount to
be set by City ordinance from time to time.
The wiring of lighting or power installation in all buildings
other than residences anywhere in the City may be inspected annually
by the Electrical Inspector. The Inspector shall leave a written notice
of any changes which may be required with the person in charge of
the premises after making any inspection. The changes shall be made
within 30 days after receipt of the notice, unless, in the opinion
of the Inspector, the changes should be made immediately. The Inspector
shall reinspect the premises after the changes are made.
Any person, firm or corporation not in agreement with the decision
of the Electrical Inspector shall have the right to appeal to the
Electrical Commission of the City, and the decision of the Electrical
Commission shall be final in all cases.
[Amended 12-30-2002; 4-6-2009 by Ord. No. 2714]
All wiring shall be in compliance with the latest publication
of the National Electric Code.
A. Aluminum wiring shall not be permitted in any installation within
the City of Columbia.
(1) Exception No. 1. Aluminum wiring hall be permitted for feeders in
outbuildings only at the discretion of the Electrical Inspector.
B. Number of receptacles and wire size. Receptacles in kitchen, dining
and utility areas shall be wired with at least No. 12 wire and not
more than four outlets per circuit. Any one dishwasher, refrigerator,
microwave, or central vacuum system shall be on separate circuits.
All other wiring shall be at least No. 12 wire and not more than 12
outlets per circuit.
(1) Exception No. 1. When it is a part of an approved cable assemblage,
the ground conductor may be sized as required by the most current
edition of the National Electrical Code.
(2) Exception No. 2. Where adequate mechanical protection is provided,
any adequate ground conductor.
(3) Exception No. 3. For installation as low-voltage conductor where
the voltage does not exceed 50 volts between conductors, or to ground.
(4) Exception No. 4. For control wiring only, as permitted by the National
Electrical Code, Current Edition; however, this exception is not to
be construed to include switch legs or circuits over 50 volts.
C. Dryer, range, oven and countertop. An electric range may be wired
with a minimum conductor #8-3 with ground. Where range and oven are
separate, the range top must be wired with #8-3 with ground and the
oven shall be wired with #10-3 with ground. Dryers shall be wired
with #10-3 with ground.
D. Smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are to be installed according to
the Columbia Building Codes and wired according to the City of Columbia
Electric Code.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
E. Additional load on existing service. It shall be the responsibility
of the contractor or other authorized person adding additional circuits
and/or equipment to existing services to determine beforehand if said
service is of sufficient size and capacity to carry such additional
load according to the rules established under other sections of this
code, and, if not, it shall be unlawful to make said addition until
the service has been increased to required size.
A. Workmanship. Services shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike
manner, securely anchored, with the least amount of bends or fitting
that the particular installation will permit, and all holes cut for
installation of conduits through walls and foundations shall be securely
patched with mortar or other suitable material as compatible with
the finish of the walls or foundation as possible, so as to prevent
the entrance of air current and moisture. Careless and slipshod work
will not be permitted under any circumstances.
B. Grounding. Special attention must be paid to Part 250 of the National
Electrical Code, Current Edition, with regard to grounding of service
equipment.
C. Specifications. Service entrances shall be installed as per Illinois
Power Company or Monroe County Electric Cooperative and National Electrical
Code specifications.
D. Extensions. Services shall be so installed that the maximum extension
within a building or structure of the service run shall not exceed
25 feet before providing over-current protection, and a means of disconnecting
service.
E. Location. Service equipment, panel boards and switchboards shall
not be located in bathrooms, rest rooms, shower rooms, clothes closets,
nor above washers and plumbed-in fixtures.
[Amended 4-6-2015 by Ord.
No. 3174; 4-16-2018 by Ord. No. 3400]
A. Defined. The term "electrical contractor," as used in this section,
means any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of installing
or altering electrical equipment.
B. Registration. Any person desiring to engage in the business of electrical
contractor in the City of Columbia shall be registered as follows:
(1) First, contractors are required to fill out a registration form and
submit it to the City Clerk. The City shall issue the certificate
of registration, which will authorize the person/entity to engage
in such business for the year in which it is issued and shall be renewed
on an annual basis. The Electrical Inspector shall keep a record of
such registrations.
(2) No person having obtained an electrical contractor registration with
the City of Columbia shall allow his name or his business name to
be used by another person or company either for the purpose of obtaining
permits or for doing electrical business or electrical work under
this code.
C. Fee. The fee for registration as an electrical contractor shall be
in an amount to be set by City ordinance from time to time, which
sum shall be paid by the applicant to the City Clerk in advance upon
filing the application. All fees paid by the electrical contractor
shall be paid to the City Clerk.
D. Bonding. The City of Columbia will no longer require a performance
bond from registered electrical contractors.
[Amended 4-20-2015 by Ord. No. 3180]
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be
fined in an amount not less than $100 nor more than $750. Each day
such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute
a separate offense and shall be punishable hereunder as such.