(a) 
Permit required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to begin any work of installing, erecting or altering material, wiring, fixtures or other apparatus to be used for the utilization of electricity for light, heating or power in or on any building or premises in the city without first securing a permit from the electrical inspector.
(b) 
Work for which permit not required.
No permit shall be required for minor work such as repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuse or changing lamp sockets and receptacles. This article shall not be construed to require a permit for maintenance work on the premises of a person regularly employing a maintenance electrician for that purpose.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-91)
Applications for permits, either by phone or in person by the contractor, must be secured prior to commencement of any work. Contractors may pay in advance, or apply for an account to be paid once a month. Contractors will be billed monthly. If an approved contractor fails to pay his/her account within 15 days after the date of the billing statement, no permits can be issued to the contractor until the past-due account has been paid in full. Fees are as set forth in the master fee schedule.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-92; Ordinance 23-3746 adopted 5/23/2023)
(a) 
Permits are authorized to applicants when arrangements for payment of fees have been made, all license and bond requirements of the code have been complied with, when the plans and specifications of the proposed electrical work have been approved, and use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended when deemed necessary. The applicant shall state the kind of work to be done and the address of the building where the work is to be done. The building inspection personnel will issue a permit and such permit shall be without effect as to any work not therein described or as to any place other than described:
(1) 
A homeowner shall apply for a permit and state that the electrical installation will be made in a single-family dwelling in which he currently resides or will reside upon completion if the single unit is under construction, that he will make the electrical installation himself accepting no help from outside parties, and that he has not obtained a permit to make an electrical installation within the past two years. The homeowner shall furnish such proof of ownership as the inspector may require.
(2) 
Permits issued to homeowners shall be valid only for work done at the residence occupied by the homeowner at the time of permit issue. Permits for commercial buildings, leased or rented property, shall be issued only to a master electrician.
(b) 
After first registering with the city and paying the registration fee, then further applications may be made verbally by telephone by registered individuals with a valid charge account.
(c) 
An application for a permit shall be considered as permission from an authorized representative to inspect the premises.
(d) 
Falsification of an application for a permit by a master electrician or a homeowner shall be justification for the electrical inspector to refuse to issue a permit or to cancel a permit if one has been issued.
(Ordinance 11-3541, sec. I (10-93), adopted 1/20/11)
The plans and specifications of the electrical work of all new buildings or buildings to be remodeled in which electrical wires are to be installed will be submitted to the electrical inspector by the owner or architect for his approval before the permit will be issued. All such plans shall specify the size of feeders and subfeeders and their length when there are more than four (4) branch circuits. When, according to such plans and specifications, the electrical work specified complies with the provisions of this article, the electrical inspector shall approve the plans and specifications therefor in writing. If any changes are required by the electrical inspector, he shall attach a list of such requirements to the plans or specifications. When such plans and specifications have been corrected, they shall be resubmitted for approval.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-95)
(a) 
When a permit to install work of a temporary character, for a time to be specified in such permit, and not in any case to exceed thirty (30) days, shall have been issued by the electrical inspector, strict compliance with the rules of permanent work will not be exacted, provided the character of the work is entirely safe for the period designated in the permit. No temporary work or alterations shall be allowed on live circuits unless protected by a proper switch and fuse.
(b) 
Should the temporary electrical installation be needed beyond the thirty-day period, subsequent permits may be issued. An inspection shall be made before the issuance of any subsequent permit, and each subsequent permit shall be for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-96)
Where buildings are constructed in lumberyards or on premises within the city limits, other than where the building is on a permanent foundation, and where such building is to be moved into and located within the city limits, wiring installation shall be made by a bonded and licensed master electrician in conformity with this article, and permits shall be applied for.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-97)
After the original inspection of fixtures, if fixtures are changed or replaced with other fixtures where circuit wires without change of size are run directly into the receptacle of the changed or replaced fixtures, no fixture permit or inspection shall be required, provided such work is done by persons licensed under this article to do so. However, if such change or replaced fixtures require a change in the size of wire, a permit and inspection shall be required.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-98)
In case of emergency necessitating immediate new wiring or repairs to electrical wiring at a time when the office of the electrical inspector is closed, the work may be carried out without first obtaining a permit. Thereafter, a written application shall be submitted to the electrical inspector for a permit during the next day that such office is open. Before the permit shall be issued, all requirements for its issuance must be complied with.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-99)
(a) 
Every permit shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the installation authorized by such permit is not commenced within ninety (90) days from the date of such permit or if the installation authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned, at any time after the work is commenced, for a period of sixty (60) days.
(b) 
Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be obtained. The fee therefor shall be one-half (1/2) the amount paid for the original permit.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-100)
A master electrician or homeowner who has obtained an electrical permit shall surrender said permit to the electrical inspector within sixty (60) days of the issuing date of the permit to be eligible for a refund of the permit fee, provided no work has begun on the electrical installation.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-101)
(a) 
The licensed master electrician or homeowner shall be responsible for notification to the electrical inspector when the electrical installation is ready for rough-in inspection. An electrical installation shall be considered ready for rough-in inspection at such time that all raceways, panel board cabinets, service equipment, outlet boxes, junction boxes, conductors and conductor splices are installed and before concealment.
(b) 
There shall be a rough-in inspection and a final inspection on such electrical installation. The owner whose installation is ready for inspection shall allow the electrical inspector’s office twenty-four (24) hours, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays recognized by the city excepted, after notification to inspect before proceeding to work on the electrical installation.
(c) 
For minor extensions and additions, on which in the judgment of the electrical inspector adequate inspection is possible after completion of the work, a rough-in inspection will not be required.
(d) 
The licensed master electrician or homeowner shall be responsible for notifying the electrical inspector on completion of an electrical installation, and requesting a final inspection. A final inspection shall be made before a certification of compliance is given.
(e) 
A certification of compliance shall be obtained on every electrical installation before the electrical installation is tied to the power supply of an existing installation or to the power company service lines.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-102)
Upon application of the master electrician or his authorized representative in charge of the project, the electrical inspector shall make a final inspection of the installation, and, if such work is found to comply with this article, a certificate of inspection shall be issued stating that the work has been done according to the provisions of this article and the rules governing the respective class to which it belongs. Such certificate shall not relieve the master electrician of responsibility for any defective work that may have been concealed or escaped the notice of the electrical inspector.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-103)
(a) 
At the completion of the initial or rough-in inspection, the electrical inspector or his deputy shall, if such installation is approved, cause a green “approval” tag to be affixed to a visible and accessible point on the electrical work approved. If such inspector determines that such installation is not acceptable, he shall affix to such electrical work, a red “violation” tag which shall have printed thereon in substance, a warning that the work or installation will not pass inspection, and that it is a violation of city ordinances to conceal or continue any of the electrical work until the installation is reinspected and approved. If, upon reinspection, the violation has been satisfactorily corrected, the electrical inspector shall then cause the red “violation” tag to be removed and the green “approval” tag to be affixed in its place. The same process shall be followed upon the final inspection, with a red “violation” tag to be affixed if the installation is not approved. Approval on final inspection, or final reinspection, shall be denoted by placing a green “approval” tag on the approved installation. Whenever a red “violation” tag is affixed on the installation, at either the rough-in or final inspection, the electrical inspector shall note on the back of such tag the precise violation involved and such other factual information as the electrical inspector may feel necessary to inform the master electrician of the specific items that need to be corrected. A yellow tag may also be used to note minor corrections, requiring a reinspection to be called for before proceeding with the work, whenever noted on the tag.
(b) 
No person, firm or corporation engaged in any work at the building site shall ever cause, allow or suffer electrical work to be covered over unless same bears an inspection tag showing final approval, nor shall any red, green, or yellow inspection tag be affixed to any electrical work by anyone other than the city’s electrical inspector or his deputies.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, destroy or deface a red, yellow or green tag, or for contractor or any other person to conceal any wiring or conduit which has not been approved as indicated by the presence of the inspection tag. The electrical inspector shall have the authority to require any person, firm or corporation to uncover any wiring or electrical equipment which has been concealed without the knowledge or permission of the electrical inspector.
(Ordinance 11-3541, sec. I (10-104), adopted 1/20/11)
The building official or his/her designee shall make all of the required inspections. All reports shall be in writing and be certified by a responsible code official. The building official is authorized to require expert opinion, as deemed necessary, to report upon unusual technical issues that arise, at no expense to this jurisdiction.
(Ordinance 11-3541, sec. I (10-105), adopted 1/20/11)
If the person to whom any order or notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this article cannot be found after reasonable search has been made for him, then such order or notices may be served by posting same in a conspicuous place upon the premises occupied by him or where the defects recited in the order or notice are alleged to exist, or on the premises which may be deemed unsafe or dangerous. Such service shall be equivalent to personal service of such order or notice. Any order to comply with the terms of this article or other notice shall be sent in a sealed envelope, certified mail, return receipt requested with postage prepaid and directed to the last known address of the electrician, owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises where the defects recited in the order are alleged to exist, and shall be equivalent to the personal service of such order.
(Ordinance 11-3541, sec. I (10-106), adopted 1/20/11)
All permit and inspection fees shall be paid to the city before the issuance of a permit and before any work is started. Fees shall be as provided for by the mayor and city council and as contained in section 3.04.122.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-107; Ordinance adopting Code)
Where work for which an electrical permit is required by this article is started or proceeded with prior to applying for and paying for said permit, the permit fee shall be doubled. This section shall not apply to emergency work done in accordance with section 3.04.129 of this article or to homeowners who apply for the required permit within seventy-two (72) hours of starting said work.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-108)