[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Merton 7-13-2023 by Ord. No. 205. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Electrical Code of the Village
of Merton" and will hereinafter be referred to as "this code."
The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard life and property
by regulating and providing for the inspection of the installation
and condition of electrical wiring, equipment and devices, and providing
for the licensing of persons, firms, and corporations undertaking
electrical work, and assessing a penalty for violation of the provisions
of this chapter.
The Electrical Inspector shall enforce all state laws and Village
ordinances relating to electrical inspection and perform such duties
as set forth thereunder and, specifically, but not limited to, as
set forth under this chapter.
The Electrical Inspector or his or her authorized agent may
enter any building or premises in the discharge of his or her official
duties for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the electrical
wires, equipment or devices contained therein. The Inspector or his
or her authorized agent shall be given access to any premises upon
request made to the owner or person in immediate charge of the premises.
There shall be kept in the Department of Building Inspection
a complete record of all applications and permits, regularly numbered
in the order of their issue, of all inspections made and other official
work performed under the provisions of this chapter, so arranged as
promptly to afford information concerning electrical installation.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms and words
shall be interpreted as having the following meanings:
A.
State code terms. All terms defined in the Wisconsin State Electrical
Code, Ch. SPS 316, Wis. Adm. Code, and any amendments thereto, shall,
when used in this chapter, be construed to have the same meaning as
in the Wisconsin State Electrical Code.
B.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL WORK
WIRING
Other terms. For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
All wires, equipment or devices installed for the purpose
of conducting or safeguarding electrical current.
Any act in connection with the installing, altering or maintaining
of an electrical system, which act ordinarily requires the use of
tools.
Includes the wires and other devices incident to the means
for safely conducting electrical current.
The Electrical Inspector may order the disconnection of all
electrical current from any electrical system which is found to be
in an unsafe condition and may order the disconnection of electric
current in cases of emergency and where such electrical currents are
dangerous to life or property or may interfere with the work of the
Fire Department. No person shall reconnect any equipment that is disconnected
until approval is given by the Electrical Inspector.
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen
the responsibility or liability of any person applying electricity
to or selling, renting, leasing, owning, using, operating, controlling,
installing, altering, repairing, removing, replacing, disturbing,
connecting, disconnecting or maintaining any electrical wiring, device
or equipment for damages to persons or property caused by any defect
therein or therefrom; nor shall the Village be held as assuming any
such responsibility or liability by reason of the issuance or revocation
of any license, permit or certificate or the inspection or reinspection
authorized by this chapter, or by reason of the approval or disapproval
of any electrical equipment, sales, rentals, drawings, plans, specifications,
materials, samples, test reports, literature, information or schedules
authorized in this chapter. Nor shall the Village be held liable for
any damages resulting from the enforcement of this chapter.
All requests for information pertaining to and involving an
interpretation of this chapter shall be submitted in detail to the
Electrical Inspector. The Electrical Inspector shall not design or
lay out any electrical installation or act in the capacity of a consulting
(electrical) engineer or provide any supervision.
The Electrical Inspector shall inspect all public buildings
and premises, such as places of amusement and places of assemblage,
farms, campgrounds, manufactured home communities, public marinas,
piers, docks, wharves, recreational vehicle parks, and all other buildings
for which electrical permits have been issued and make a thorough
examination of all the electrical wires, equipment and devices installed,
and when found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, he or she
shall notify the person owning, using, operating or installing the
same to place them in a safe condition. The necessary repairs or changes
shall be completed within 30 days, unless there is an immediate hazard,
for which the correction shall be performed as soon as possible. After
the receipt of such notice, each day which shall elapse after the
expiration of said period shall constitute a separate offense, and
the Electrical Inspector may order the discontinuance of electrical
service to such defective electrical system until it shall have been
repaired, removed or changed as directed by him or her. Failure to
obey any such order shall subject the person failing to make such
disconnection to the penalties hereinafter provided. The Electrical
Inspector can assess reinspection fees per the permit fee schedule
if all violations are not corrected after a required reinspection.
License or registration required. No person, company or corporation, except as provided in § 127-12, shall alter, install or repair electrical wires and apparatus for any purpose in the Village without first having procured a license or registration in accordance with § 101.862, Wis. Stats.
The Electrical Inspector shall issue permits for the erection
of electrical installations for light, heat or power upon the filing
of proper application, which shall be made on forms furnished by the
Electrical Inspector, and shall prescribe the nature of the work as
well as such other information as may be required for inspection.
In no case shall any such electrical work be done unless a permit
has first been obtained, except as follows:
A.
Any person manufacturing or repairing electrical apparatus and equipment
and employing a competent electrician shall not be required to procure
a permit for his or her or its testing equipment.
B.
No permit shall be required for minor repair work, such as repairing
drop cords, flush and snap switches, replacing fuses or changing lamp
sockets, ballasts, and receptacles.
C.
No permit shall be required for portable devices, such as grinders,
drills, portable signs, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, radios,
electric refrigerators and similar devices not permanently wired but
intended to be connected to the circuit by a flexible cord and plug.
However, proper approved wiring is to be installed, together with
approved receptacle and plug, with a permit being procured.
D.
No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration or repair
of electrical generation, transmission or distribution equipment owned
and operated by an electrical utility company or the Village.
E.
No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration or repair
of signal or communication equipment where such equipment is owned
and operated by a public utility company or the Village.
F.
The electrical permit shall expire after 24 months from the date
of issuance.
G.
No electrical permit shall be required for low-voltage, CATV, telephone,
data and speaker wiring. Wiring shall be done per the National Electrical
Code and Wisconsin Electrical Code, Ch. SPS 316, Wis. Adm. Code.
H.
Homeowner. A homeowner may perform electrical work on a single-family
dwelling if he or she owns and occupies it as his or her permanent
residence, except that the homeowner may not install, repair or replace
wiring for electrical services, hot tubs, spas, swimming pools, any
type of photovoltaic (PV) solar system, any type electric vehicle
(EV) charger system or any type generator system. Any electrical work
must be permitted, inspected and approved according to this chapter.
In addition, if requested by the Inspector, a homeowner must demonstrate
his or her ability to conform the work to all applicable rules and
regulations by furnishing drawings or plans of proposed work. If the
homeowner does not demonstrate adequate ability to install electrical
wiring, the Electrical Inspector can require a licensed electrician
to install the wiring.
I.
No permit shall be required for minor repair work, such as replacing
five or less of the following: 125 volt, 20 amp or less snap switches,
receptacles, lighting ballasts, or any number of fuses or light bulbs.
A.
Minimum.
(1)
Minimum fee. The minimum fee for any permit shall be $65. Where additional
permits by the same licensee on the same job are necessary and the
nature of the work is the same as that of the original permit, the
minimum fee shall not apply. The term "outlet," as used in this subsection,
shall mean any opening for the connection of current-consuming or
-controlling devices generally. Outlets installed in common or "in
gang" shall be counted individually.
B.
Permit fees. Fees shall be as follows:
|
Category
|
Fee Amount
(each, unless noted)
|
|---|---|
|
Switches, dimmers, sensors, receptacles
|
$1.10
|
|
Light fixtures
|
$1.35
|
|
Range outlet, 240-volt
|
$12
|
|
Water heater, electric
|
$12
|
|
Furnace and heating devices
|
$12
|
|
A/C system or refrigeration unit
|
$12
|
|
Clothes dryer, electric
|
$12
|
|
Dishwasher
|
$12
|
|
Garbage disposal
|
$12
|
|
Electrical heat per kw
|
$1 per kw
|
|
Post light or light pole
|
$12
|
|
Exhaust and paddle fans
|
$4.25
|
|
Water well system, mound system
|
$18
|
|
Dimmers, timers, occupancy sensors
|
$2.25
|
|
Signs
|
$35
|
|
Swimming pools, in-ground
|
$110
|
|
Aboveground pools and spas
|
$80
|
|
Hydro-massage tub (whirlpool)
|
$38
|
|
Temporary service
|
$90
|
|
Service, 0 to 200 amp
|
$80
|
|
Service, 201 to 600 amp
|
$135
|
|
Fire, carbon monoxide, smoke alarms
|
$3.25
|
|
Feeder and subpanel
|
$55
|
|
Any type solar photovoltaic (PV) system
|
$160
|
|
Any type electric vehicle (EV) charger outlet
|
$100
|
|
Standby generator system
|
$160
|
|
Reinspection Fee
|
$80
|
|
Minimum permit fee
|
$65
|
|
Failure to call for final inspection (per occurrence)
|
$80
|
|
Failure to obtain permit
|
double fee
|
|
NOTES:
|
|---|
|
First inspection and reinspection is included in permit; second
reinspection and subsequent inspections are $80 per reinspection.
|
|
Failure to obtain permit before commencing work: first offense,
double fees; second offense, triple fees.
|
A.
On applying for a permit for temporary work, a specified period of
time during which such wiring is to remain in use must be stated but
not exceeding 90 days. Service shall be disconnected at the end of
this period and shall not again be connected without written approval
from the Electrical Inspector. For buildings where conduit wiring
is required, special permits for temporary work may be granted by
the Electrical Inspector for the installation of open work and exposed
wiring, lights, power for building operations, display decorative
wiring, etc., for use for a limited period, subject to discontinuance
and complete removal at expiration and to condemnation and revocation
within such period.
B.
Emergency work. In emergency work, the person doing or causing such
work to be done shall report the same to the Electrical Inspector
the next business day after beginning work, and such work shall be
done in accordance with the provisions of this chapter with the necessary
permit.
Upon completion of the wiring in or on any building or structure
and before any wiring is to be concealed from view, the person doing
the same shall notify the Electrical Inspector, and construction may
not proceed until the inspection has been completed and wiring approved.
Construction may proceed if the inspection has not taken place by
the end of the second business day following the day of notification
or as otherwise agreed between the applicant and the Village. If upon
inspection it is found that the installation is in compliance with
this chapter and does not constitute a hazard to life or property,
the Electrical Inspector shall approve the same and authorize concealment
of the wiring or authorize connection for electrical service. If the
installation is incomplete or not strictly in accordance with this
chapter, the Electrical Inspector shall issue orders to the person
installing the same to remove all hazards and to make the necessary
changes or additions. No person shall conceal any electric work before
inspection or fail to comply with any order of the Electrical Inspector.
Current shall not be turned on for any electrical installation
until a certificate of an approved inspection has been issued by the
Electrical Inspector. However, in occupied buildings where a permit
for a service change or upgrade has been issued, the Electrical Inspector
may authorize the installation of meters for electric service after
wiring has been inspected and approved.
No certificate of final inspection shall be issued unless the
electric light, power or heating installation and all other electrical
apparatus connected with it are in strict conformity with this chapter
and the rules and regulations of the State Electrical Code. The provisions
of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Ch. SPS 316, Wis. Adm. Code,
and all amendments thereto are herein adopted in their entirety.
No electrical materials, devices or appliances shall be used
or installed in the Village unless they conform to the requirements
of this chapter, state statutes, rules and regulations issued by the
Department of Safety and Professional Services under authority of
the state statutes, and are in conformity with approved methods of
construction for safety to life and property.
The several sections of this chapter are declared to be severable.
If any section or portion thereof shall be declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, such
decision shall apply only to the specific section or portion thereof
directly specified in the decision and shall not affect the validity
of any other provisions, sections or portions thereof of the chapter.
The remainder of the chapter shall remain in full force and effect.
Any other ordinances whose terms are in conflict with the provisions
of this chapter are hereby repealed as to those terms that conflict
with the provisions of this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect and be in force from and after
its passage and publication as provided by law.
