The object of this division is to reduce personal hazard and the fire hazard from electrical causes. To accomplish this, the requirements set forth in this division are intended to provide a minimum standard for electrical work in the city.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
A certain document, one copy of which is on file for public inspection in the office of the city manager, being marked and designated as the "National Electrical Code," 2023 edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, is now adopted as the electrical code of the city for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, and maintenance of electrical wiring and apparatus, including permits and penalties. Each of the regulations, provisions, conditions, and terms of such "National Electrical Code," 2023 edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, is now referred to, adopted and made part of this section as if fully set out in this division.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
For the purpose of this division, the following words shall be defined as stated in this section. In the event of a dispute as to the meaning or application of any word, phrase or descriptive term as used in this division, a determination of meaning by the construction advisory and appeals board shall prevail.
Board.
A quorum of the construction advisory and appeals board.
Building official.
The person charged with the administration of this division.
Commercial.
Any electrical installation other than residential installations.
Condominium.
A multifamily dwelling, portions of which may be individually owned by the occupants.
Electric company.
The local franchised electric utility company.
Electrical inspector.
The duly appointed electrical inspector of the city and all duly appointed assistant electrical inspectors.
Electrical installation.
The installation of wiring devices or equipment for the distribution, transmission, or utilization of electrical energy.
Fixture.
A unit which supports a means of illumination.
Homeowner.
The owner of a one-family unit dwelling who resides within the dwelling or shall immediately reside therein upon the completion of the electrical installation.
National Electrical Code.
An edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), published by the National Fire Protection Association as amended and adopted by the city, a copy of which shall be filed for permanent record in the offices of the city manager.
Opening.
The location where a ceiling light, a bracket light, a wall light, a porch light or a floodlight is mounted; also, a convenience outlet or a switch.
Residential.
Any one- or two-family dwelling unit electrical installation.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
All electrical work within the city shall be performed in conformity with the provisions of the electrical code of the city. It is now declared to be unlawful for any person to install any electrical work in violation of the provisions of this division.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
The administration and enforcement of the provisions of this division shall be vested in the building official, the electrical inspector and any assistant electrical inspectors, who are under the administrative authority of the building official of the city.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
The building official, electrical inspector or their authorized representatives charged with the enforcement of this division, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of their duties, shall not render themselves personally liable for any damage that may occur to persons or property as a result of any act or omission in the discharge of their duties.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to engage in the business of electrical work in the city shall hold an appropriate license issued by the state under the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act, V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, chapter 1305.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
Supervision of work required.
Except as hereinafter specified, all electrical installations within the corporate city limits of the city shall be performed by, or under the supervision of, a master electrician with a license as an electrical contractor. To the extent herein permitted, the actual work and physical labor involved in such electrical installations may be performed by journeyman electricians or apprentice electricians, so long as the measure of supervision required now is complied with.
(b) 
Exemptions.
(1) 
The following exemptions and exceptions to the requirement of electrical installations being done and performed by or under the supervision of an electrical contractor are now set forth: Minor work such as repairing flush switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, and other minor matters may be performed by any person whether or not licensed. Any person shall be entitled to perform any electrical installation in his own home, without physical assistance from anyone except members of his immediate family living in his household, where such work is performed in a single-unit residential property in which the homeowner lives or intends to make his home upon completion of construction. The installation to be performed by such homeowner shall comply in all respects with the requirements of the electrical code applicable to such work, in like manner as if such work were being performed by, or under the supervision of, an electrical contractor.
(2) 
The provisions of this division shall not apply to the fire and police signal installations, or other similar installations, installed and maintained by the city.
(3) 
The provisions of this division shall not apply to the electric company, telephone company, and telegraph companies, or other companies operating under franchise with the city in the installation, maintenance, removal or repair of wires or other equipment in connection with their business or plants.
(4) 
The provisions of this division shall not apply to installations in connection with the lighting of public streets, alleys or parkways by the city, the state department of highways and transportation, or the public electric utility company.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, or repair any electrical work in the city, as covered by this division, without first having applied for and obtained a permit to make such installation, alteration, or repair. No person shall be granted a permit until he has fully complied with all of the requirements of this division. No permit shall cover work on more than one building. Applications for permits shall be on forms furnished by the city. All applications for permits and requests for inspections shall be made to city hall.
(b) 
No permit shall be required for installation of electric low energy wiring, provided such installation is performed by a licensed master electrician. Intercom and public address systems shall also be considered low energy wiring. No permit shall be required where especially exempt in this division. No permit shall be required for repairing portable appliances. No permit shall be required for minor repairs, such as the replacement of sockets, fuses, drop cords, snap switches, and the like.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
The fees listed in this section shall be paid to the city for any electrical work done in the city for which a permit is issued, or is required by this division.
(b) 
All fees shall be paid to the city by each person doing any electrical work for which such fees are required in subsection (a) of this section. The permit and inspection fees are provided in the city rates and fees schedule, adopted by resolution, this schedule may change from time-to-time. The fees shall be paid to the city prior to issuance of a permit and before commencing any electrical work.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
Electrical work is not to be concealed until it has been inspected and approved. No electrical work for which a permit is required under this division shall be concealed in any manner from access or sight until such work has been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector. No electrical work shall be connected to a source of energy until the electrical work is completed or has the approval of the electrical inspector.
(b) 
Twenty-four-hour notice required. Any person having charge of the construction, alterations, or repair of any buildings, or any other person who covers or conceals, or causes to be covered or concealed, or any such person who connects, or causes to be connected, any electrical work, for which a permit has been issued or is required, before such electrical work has been inspected and approved, without having notified city hall at least 24 four hours previously, shall be subject to the penalty provided for in this division.
(c) 
When any electrical work for which a permit is required has been installed, the permit electrician in charge shall deliver to the office of the electrical inspector a request for the final inspection. The electrical inspector shall inspect the electrical work as soon as practicable, but at least within 24 hours of receipt of the request for inspection.
(d) 
If the electrical work meets all of the requirements of this division, the electrical inspector shall immediately make the necessary service records and allow the utility company to connect the work to a source of supply. Should the electrical work fail to meet the requirements of this division, the electrical inspector shall notify the permit electrician in writing of all defects. The permit electrician shall, in a reasonable time, correct such defects and notify the office of the electrical inspector for a reinspection. There will be no charge for the first reinspection however; the person taking out the permit shall pay a reinspection fee prior to the second reinspection and each one thereafter. When any permit electrician fails or refuses to request a final inspection, the owner of the premises on which the electrical work has been performed may request to the office of the electrical inspector for an inspection, and upon payment of a reinspection fee by such owner or person, the electrical inspector shall investigate as to why the permit electrician failed to request an inspection. If during the investigation the electrical inspector determines that the permit electrician is in violation of this division, then the electrical inspector shall inspect the electrical work as soon as thereafter practicable.
(e) 
When a master electrician does not have the contract for the finishing of the electrical work by his permit, he shall make the inspection request to the office of the electrical inspector when his part of the work is completed. Another permit must be obtained prior to commencing any other electrical work for that project.
(f) 
When a permit electrician is given notice that defects exist in his electrical work, he shall make corrections promptly. If these corrections are not made within 30 days, he shall not be issued any other permits until the defects are corrected and approved by the electrical inspector; provided however, that a time extension may be granted by the inspector.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
Service entrances shall comply with the NEC, applicable rules of the electrical service company, and this section.
(b) 
Should the addition or alteration of any building enclose the metering installation such that it will no longer be in an accessible outside location, the metering installation shall be relocated to a point outside the addition or alteration, maintaining strict conformance to the provisions of this division.
(c) 
Existing metering installations which are located inside a building shall be moved to an outside location at such time that changes, alterations or additions are made to the service entrance of the electrical installation. Metering installations moved outside shall conform to the provisions of this division.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
Neither feeder circuits nor branch circuits on any private electrical installation shall extend into, cross over or under any street, alley or public way which has been dedicated for public use. An electrical installation which is confined within a building or structure where a license and hold harmless agreement has been approved by the city and projects into, crosses over or under a dedicated street, alley or public way will not be affected by this regulation.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
The electrical installation in any building, structure or residence which is moved into a location shall conform to the requirements of this division as though the building, structure or residence had been newly constructed on the location.
(b) 
Any rewiring or additions to existing wiring representing over 50 percent of the original outlets' installations value shall require the total installation to meet the requirements of this division.
(c) 
The electrical inspector may approve an electrical installation with less than the minimum requirements when he reasonably believes the electrical installation is adequate to serve the load, is safe and free from hazards, and when strict compliance with this division would necessitate major structural changes or alterations resulting an unjustified expense. Sheetrock, paneling and siding are not considered structural.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
All electrical signs and outline lighting shall be installed in compliance with all other applicable chapters of the Code of Ordinances and the provisions of this division.
(b) 
On an existing installation the electrical inspector, when he reasonably believes that any electrical sign or outline lighting constitutes a hazard impairing safety of life or property, shall require that the sign or outline lighting installation be revised to meet the minimum standards established by this division and shall specify the time allowed for such revisions. If the required revisions are not completed within the time allotted, the electrical inspector shall order the electrical sign or outline lighting disconnected from the power supply and the installation removed. Failure to comply with such a disconnection or removal order shall constitute a violation of this division.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
Service entrances equipment for mobile homes, manufactured homes and recreational vehicles shall be considered permanent electrical installations and shall meet the full requirements of this division.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
(a) 
All electrical fence installations shall require a permit prior to installation in accordance with this division. The materials and equipment used shall conform to the requirements of this division. All equipment used for an electrical fence shall be part of a manufactured, UL listed, electrical fence assembly. The installation and use shall comply with the manufacturer's listings and instructions.
(b) 
All electrical fences shall be designed and sized appropriately for the use as follows. Their power output shall not be designed or altered to inflict long-term damage to maim, or kill humans or animals:
(1) 
Domestic use.
Electrical fences surrounding all or a portion of a property whose primary use is residential shall be sized for the area encompassed by the fence, and only for containment of small domestic animals, both in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Such fences shall have only one (1) horizontal strand of charged wire.
(2) 
Agricultural use.
Electrical fences surrounding all or a portion of a property whose primary use is agricultural, shall be sized for the area encompassed by the fence, and for the size of the animals contained, both in accordance with the manufacture's recommendations.
(3) 
Commercial, industrial, and institutional uses.
An electrical fence designed for security purposes around all or a portion of a property whose primary use is commercial, governmental, industrial, or institutional shall be designed by a licensed engineer and installed in accordance with that design. Portions of such fences adjacent to a public way, or abutting other developed property, shall be adequately marked with signs to warn the public of the potential danger. The signs shall be imprinted with wording in both English and Spanish.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
Whenever in this division, code or in any ordinance of the city amending such code, an act is prohibited or made or declared to be unlawful or an offense, or wherever in such code the doing of an act is declared unlawful and no specific penalty is provided thereof, the violation of any provision of such code or such ordinance shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00; provided, however, that no penalty shall be greater or lesser than the penalty provided for the same or similar offense under the laws of the state. Each day any violation of this code or of any ordinance shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)
The city reserves the right at any time, to change, alter, repeal, rescind, or add to these rules and regulations or any part thereof or to adopt any new rule or regulation or any temporary exception with the respect to electrical or anything pertaining thereto.
(Ordinance adopted 8/18/97; 1998 Code, art. 3.400; Ordinance 2014-1215G adopted 12/15/14; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code; Ordinance 2023-0605K adopted 6/5/2023)