"Alteration"
means any change made in an existing electrical installation, including any additions thereto, changes of circuits, panels, subpanels, service conduit or feeder wires, or loads added to the existing electrical system.
"Appliance repair" or "service dealer"
means a person engaged in the business of repairing or servicing electrical appliances and whose work in the electrical field shall be limited to said repair and servicing of electrical appliances unless he carries a valid electrical contractor's license.
"Authority having jurisdiction"
means the organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.
"Chief electrical inspector"
means an electrical inspector who either is the authority having jurisdiction or is designated by the authority having jurisdiction and is responsible for administering the requirements of this chapter.
"Consumer"
means any person, persons, customer, firm, association, municipal corporation or corporation that uses electricity, including residential, commercial, industrial and public users.
"Electrical contractor"
means any person who establishes themselves in any phase of, or who advertises in any manner, that he or she is engaged in the business of installation, repair, alteration, or maintenance of electrical wiring, equipment, fixtures, appliances or accessories for another person; provided, however, that any person engaged in the business of repairing or servicing electrical appliances on the owner's premises or in their place or places of business shall not be included within this definition, with respect to such repair or service.
"Electrical inspector"
means an individual meeting the requirements of LMC § 16.24.210 and authorized to perform electrical inspections.
"Electrical utility company" or "utility"
means any person, firm or corporation holding and exercising a franchise, permit or license to distribute electricity within the city limits.
"Electrified security device"
means an alarm system that consists of a fence structure and an energizer that produces an electric charge on contact with the fence structure.
"Premises"
means the property of the consumer up to the property line and including any buildings or structures thereon.
"Structure"
means a combination of materials to form a construction that is safe and stable, including, among others, stadiums, gospel or circus tents, receiving stands, platforms, staging, observation towers, radio towers, water tanks and towers, trestles, piers, wharves, sheds, coal bins, fences and display signs.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3479 § 1, 2023)
The following functions are covered:
(1) 
The inspection of electrical installations as covered by RCW 19.28.010(1).
(2) 
The investigation of fires caused by electrical installations.
(3) 
The review of construction plans, drawings, and specifications for electrical systems.
(4) 
The design, alteration, modification, construction, maintenance, and testing of electrical systems and equipment.
(5) 
The regulation and control of electrical installations at special events including but not limited to exhibits, trade shows, amusement parks, and other similar special occupancies.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3071 § 2, 2008)
The purpose of this article shall be to provide requirements for administration and enforcement of the National Electrical Code and to provide minimum standards and requirements for safe installation, repair, use, and maintenance of electrical wiring, equipment, fixtures, appliances or accessories on consumers' premises within the city.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "the electrical code of the city of Longview." This chapter shall be enforced and administered by the electrical inspector of the city.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
(1) 
New Installations. This chapter applies to new installations. Buildings with construction permits dated after adoption of this chapter shall comply with its requirements.
(2) 
Existing Installations. Existing electrical installations that do not comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be permitted to be continued in use unless the authority having jurisdiction determines that the lack of conformity with this chapter presents an imminent danger to occupants. Where changes are required for correction of hazards, a reasonable amount of time shall be given for compliance, depending on the degree of the hazard.
(3) 
Additions, Alterations, or Repairs. Additions, alterations, or repairs to any building, structure, or premises shall conform to that required of a new building without requiring the existing building to comply with all the requirements of this chapter. Additions, alterations, installations, or repairs shall not cause an existing building to become unsafe or to adversely affect the performance of the building as determined by the authority having jurisdiction. Electrical wiring added to an existing service, feeder, or branch circuit shall not result in an installation that violates the provisions of the code in force at the time the additions are made and are in conformance with LMC § 16.24.070(2)(b).
(4) 
Connection to Utility Lines. No new or altered electrical installation shall hereafter be connected to the lines of the serving utility unless said serving utility is authorized and notified to do so by the electrical inspector and complies with the provisions of LMC § 16.24.080.
(5) 
Electric Fences. Except where expressly permitted in the zoning ordinances of the city, it is unlawful for any person to install, use or maintain within the city any fence, barrier, partition or obstruction which is electrically charged or connected with any electrical source in such a manner as to transmit an electrical charge to persons, animals, or things which might come in contact therewith except electrified security devices.
(6) 
Electrified security devices that meet all the following requirements may be permitted where able to meet the following requirements:
(a) 
Located in a commercial or industrial area.
(b) 
Equipment has been approved and labeled by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
(c) 
Installed and used per the intended design and use of the manufacturer.
(d) 
Located atop or behind an existing barrier, fence or wall, at least five feet in height.
(e) 
Minimum installed height is height of existing barrier.
(f) 
Maximum installed height is either 10 feet or two feet higher than the existing perimeter barrier.
(g) 
Distance between electrified security devices and perimeter barrier shall be four to eight inches except for on the gates (two to three inches).
(7) 
Electrified security devices shall require a low voltage electrical permit.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3479 § 2, 2023)
(1) 
New Construction. No newly constructed building shall be occupied in whole or in part in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(2) 
Existing Buildings. Existing buildings that are occupied at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall be permitted to remain in use, provided the following conditions apply:
(a) 
The occupancy classification remains unchanged;
(b) 
There exists no condition deemed hazardous to life or property that would constitute an imminent danger.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Connections to the electric supply shall conform to subsections (1) through (5) of this section.
(1) 
Authorization. Except where work is done under an annual permit and except as otherwise provided in LMC § 16.24.060(4), it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to make connection to a supply of electricity or to supply electricity to any electric equipment installation for which a permit is required or that has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected.
(2) 
Special Consideration. By special permission of the authority having jurisdiction, temporary power shall be permitted to be supplied to the premises for specific needs of the construction project.
(3) 
Notification. If, within two business days after the electrical inspector is notified of the completion of an installation of electric equipment, other than a temporary approval installation, the electrical inspector has neither authorized connection nor disapproved the installation, the supplier of electricity is authorized to make connections and supply electricity to such installation.
(4) 
Disconnection. Where a connection is made to an installation that has not been inspected, as outlined in the preceding subsections of this section, the supplier of electricity shall immediately report such connection to the chief electrical inspector. If, upon subsequent inspection, it is found that the installation is not in conformity with the provisions of the electrical code of the city of Longview, the chief electrical inspector shall notify the person, firm, or corporation making the installation to rectify the defects and, if such work is not completed within the time specified in the notice, the chief electrical inspector shall have the authority to cause the disconnection of that portion of the installation that is not in conformity.
(5) 
Disconnection by Fire Department. When any electrical wiring, apparatus, appliance or fixture has been disconnected, or requested to be disconnected by the fire department, said wiring or equipment shall not be reconnected until inspected and approved by the electrical inspector.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
In accordance with the laws of the state, namely, Chapter 19.28 RCW and Chapter 296-46B WAC, part A, part B, and part C, excepting WAC 296-46B-906, inspection fees, all electrical installations hereafter installed or altered in the city shall conform to the requirements of the statutes, rules and regulations of the state pertaining to the same. In case of conflict between this chapter and any such state statutes, rules and regulations, the most strict regulations shall be applicable.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3071 § 2, 2008)
The electrical code of the city of Longview shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability of any party owning, designing, operating, controlling, or installing any electric equipment for damages to persons or property caused by a defect therein, nor shall the city of Longview or any of its employees be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection, reinspection, or other examination authorized.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the electrical code of the city of Longview is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the electrical code of the city of Longview.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Upon alteration of an existing electrical system, all nonconcealed portions of said electrical system, which are abandoned or discarded upon alteration, shall be removed by the person doing the electrical work, except that the conduits and related equipment within a commercial building, which in the future may again be used, need not be removed.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)