(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)
Permits for electrical work shall be issued to a master electrician
or his/her designated representative. The master electrician whose
name appears on the permit shall be responsible for all violations
of the code that occur on such project.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-94)
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)
No exemptions.
(2000 Code, sec. 10-109)
