[1]
Permits and approvals shall conform to LMC § 16.24.300 through § 16.24.380.
(1) 
Activity authorized by a permit issued under this chapter shall be conducted by the permittee or the permittee's agents or employees in compliance with all requirements of this chapter applicable thereto and in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. No permit issued under this chapter shall be interpreted to justify a violation of any provision of this chapter or any other applicable law or regulation. Any addition or alteration of approved plans or specifications shall be approved in advance by the authority having jurisdiction.
(2) 
A copy of the permit shall be posted or otherwise readily accessible at each work site or carried by the permit holder as specified by the authority having jurisdiction.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Permits shall indicate the following:
(1) 
Operation or activities for which the permit is issued.
(2) 
Address or location where the operation or activity is to be conducted.
(3) 
Name and address of the permittee.
(4) 
Permit number and date of issuance.
(5) 
Period of validity of the permit.
(6) 
Inspection requirements.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
The city of Longview department of community development shall be authorized to establish and issue permits, certificates, and notices. The authority having jurisdiction shall be authorized to issue approvals, or orders pertaining to electrical safety hazards pursuant to LMC § 16.24.360, except that no permit shall be required to execute any of the classes of electrical work specified in WAC 296-46B-901(8) and (9).
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3071 § 2, 2008)
Electrical permits shall be issued only to electrical contractors licensed by the state or to property owners, where such property owners propose to use such permit to make electrical installations, alterations or additions in their own buildings and the premises upon which their own buildings are located, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
The owner shall do the work in the manner required by the electrical code of the city of Longview, and shall be entitled to the exemptions provided by RCW 19.28.261.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
The fee for each electrical permit shall be as set forth in Table 16.24.340 as herein provided.
Table 16.24.340 Electrical Permit Fees
1. Residential Fees
a.
New single-family residence or complete rewire of existing:
1)
200 amps or less
$163
2)
Over 200 amps
$207
b.
Mobile home service and feeder, detached garages and outbuildings, swimming pools, and other similar installations not specifically identified.
$82
c.
Service/panel change-out or adding a subpanel (including circuits).
$82
d.
200 amp panel altered to 400 amp (2-200 amp / 320 amps continuous).
$109
e.
Meter/mast repair.
$54
f.
Mobile home feeder, hot tubs, heat pumps, and similar installations.
$54
g.
Circuits added/altered without service change:
1)
1 to 5 circuits
$54
2)
6 to 11 circuits (12 or more circuits, see line (1)(a) above)
$82
h.
Low voltage:
1)
Thermostat for air handler
$39
2)
All others (exceptions: wireless security systems, data, phone and TV)
$54
i.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
$143
2. Commercial, Multifamily, and Low Voltage Fees (Excepting stand-alone low voltage equipment cost)
Total valuation of electrical installation* Use this table for all low voltage also.
$500 or less
$64
$501 to $5,000
$64 + 2% of cost over $500
$5,001 to $50,000
$163 + 1% of cost over $5,000
$50,001 to $250,000
$654 + 0.4% of cost over $50,000
$250,001 to $1,000,000
$1,525 + 0.3% of cost over $250,000
$1,000,001 and above
$3,976 + 0.15% of cost over $1,000,000
* Typical cost of labor and materials used to complete the project whether donated or not.
3. Miscellaneous Residential, Multifamily, and Commercial Fees
a.
Temporary services, for every 200 amp or portion thereof.
$54
b.
Carnival/Amusement rides.
$216
c.
Annual permit:
1)
For 1 to 4 electricians
$1,905
2)
Low voltage
$272
d.
Trip fee in addition to existing permit or re-inspection fee as needed.
$64
e.
Signs:
1)
The first sign
$54
2)
Each additional sign inspected at the same time
$16
f.
Variance application fee.
$82
g.
Inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated (minimum charge – one-half hour)
$62
4. Plan Review Requirements
a.
All commercial and multifamily projects over 400 amps will require a preliminary plan review.
b.
Projects not qualified by a preliminary plan review shall be required to submit two sets of drawings detailing the scope of work in floor plan view and a complete one-line.
c.
Plan review is required for all educational, institutional or health or personal care facilities as outlined in Chapter 296-46B WAC.
5. Plan Review Fees
a.
Preliminary plan review by appointment (fee may be applied to permit or regular plan review if needed).
$64
b.
Regular plan review, 15% of permit fee.
Minimum charge
$82
c.
WAC-required plan review, 20% of permit fee plus
Minimum charge
$82
6. Civil Penalties
a.
Work performed without required permit (exception: emergency repairs) and other violations shall be subject to the penalties identified in LMC § 16.24.360.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3053 § 1, 2008; Ord. 3154 § 1, 2010; Ord. 3191 § 1, 2011; Ord. 3235 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3310 § 1, 2015)
(1) 
Upon the completion of any installation of electrical equipment that has been made under a permit, it shall be the duty of the person, firm, or corporation making the installation to notify the electrical inspector having jurisdiction, who shall inspect the work within a reasonable time.
(2) 
Where the inspector finds the installation to be in conformity with the statutes of all applicable local ordinances and all rules and regulations, the inspector shall issue to the person, firm, or corporation making the installation a certificate of approval.
(3) 
When any portion of the electrical installation within the jurisdiction of an electrical inspector is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of parts of the building, the person, firm, or corporation installing the equipment shall notify the electrical inspector, and such equipment shall not be concealed until it has been approved by the electrical inspector or until two business days have elapsed from the time of such notification; provided, that on large installations, where the concealment of equipment proceeds continuously, the person, firm, or corporation installing the equipment shall give the electrical inspector due notice in advance, and inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the work.
(4) 
At regular intervals, the person, firm, or corporation making the installation shall request an inspection by the electrical inspector having jurisdiction. The electrical inspector having jurisdiction shall visit all buildings and premises where work may be done under annual permits and shall inspect all electric equipment installed under such permits since the date of the previous inspection. The electrical inspector shall issue a certificate of approval for such work as is found to be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and all applicable ordinances, orders, rules, and regulations, after payments of all required fees.
(5) 
If, upon inspection, any installation is found not to be fully in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, and all applicable ordinances, rules, and regulations, the inspector making the inspection shall at once forward to the person, firm, or corporation making the installation a written notice stating the defects that have been found to exist.
(6) 
The electrical inspector shall have the power to stop all or any part of the work being done under any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter for the violation of any requirement of this chapter. The electrical inspector shall notify such permit holder, in writing, of his or her action.
(7) 
If, after such permit is granted to a property owner, it becomes apparent from the character of the work performed that such owner is doing said work, or any part thereof, in violation of this chapter, the electrical inspector may request that such portions of the work that are in violation of this chapter be changed, altered or replaced by a licensed electrical contractor or that the work in violation of this chapter be forthwith removed from said building, structure or premises, and in the event said property owner fails to comply with said requirement, the inspector is authorized and directed to disconnect or order the disconnection of the electrical service until such a time as the work in violation is corrected.
(8) 
An electrical final inspection is required in all buildings or applications within the city where circuits have been added or altered, and before such circuits shall be utilized, or a home, tenant space or commercial or other occupancy shall be occupied. The electrical contractor shall be responsible to make requests for inspection once wiring is completed and make any corrections deemed necessary by the inspector.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Notice of violations and penalties shall conform to subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(1) 
Violations.
(a) 
Whenever the authority having jurisdiction determines that there are violations of this chapter, a written notice shall be issued to confirm such findings.
(b) 
Any order or notice issued pursuant to this chapter shall be served upon the owner, operator, occupant, or other person responsible for the condition or violation, either posting on-site or by mail or by delivering the same to, and leaving it with, some person of responsibility upon the premises. For unattended or abandoned locations, a copy of such order or notice shall be posted on the premises in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to such premises or the order or notice shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, with return receipt requested, to the last known address of the owner, occupant, or both.
(2) 
Penalties.
(a) 
Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter or who fails to carry out an order made pursuant to this chapter or violates any condition attached to a permit, approval, or certificate shall be subject to the penalties established by this jurisdiction.
(b) 
Failure to comply with the time limits of an abatement notice or other corrective notice issued by the authority having jurisdiction shall result in each day that such violation continues being regarded as a new and separate offense.
(c) 
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall willfully violate any of the applicable provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Revocation of permits shall conform to the following:
(1) 
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to revoke a permit or approval issued if any violation of this chapter is found upon inspection or in case there have been any false statements or misrepresentations submitted in the application or plans on which the permit or approval was based.
(2) 
Any attempt to defraud or otherwise deliberately or knowingly design, install, service, maintain, operate, sell, represent for sale, falsify records, reports, or applications, or other related activity in violation of the requirements prescribed by this chapter shall be a violation of this chapter. Such violations shall be cause for immediate suspension or revocation of any related licenses, certificates, or permits issued by this jurisdiction. In addition, any such violation shall be subject to any other criminal or civil penalties as available by the laws of this jurisdiction.
(3) 
Revocation shall be constituted when the permittee is duly notified by the authority having jurisdiction.
(4) 
Any person who engages in any business, operation, or occupation, or uses any premises, after the permit issued therefor has been suspended or revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and before such suspended permit has been reinstated or a new permit issued, shall be in violation of this chapter.
(5) 
A permit shall be predicated upon compliance with the requirements of this chapter and shall constitute written authority issued by the authority having jurisdiction to install electrical equipment. Any permit issued under this chapter shall not take the place of any other license or permit required by other regulations or laws of this jurisdiction.
(6) 
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require an inspection prior to the issuance of a permit.
(7) 
A permit issued under this chapter shall continue until revoked or for the period of time designated on the permit. The permit shall be issued to one person or business only and for the location or purpose described in the permit. Any change that affects any of the conditions of the permit shall require a new or amended permit.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Applications and extensions of permits shall conform to the following:
(1) 
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to grant an extension of the permit time period upon presentation by the permittee of a satisfactory reason for failure to start or complete the work or activity authorized by the permit.
(2) 
Applications for permits shall be made to the authority having jurisdiction on forms provided by the jurisdiction and shall include the applicant's answers in full to inquiries set forth on such forms. Applications for permits shall be accompanied by such data as required by the authority having jurisdiction, such as plans and specifications, location, and so forth. Fees shall be determined as required by LMC § 16.24.340.
(3) 
The authority having jurisdiction shall review all applications submitted and issue permits as required. If an application for a permit is rejected by the authority having jurisdiction, the applicant shall be advised of the reasons for such rejection.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)
Any person aggrieved by the action of the electrical inspector may, within 10 days thereafter, appeal to the appeal board of adjustment, and the board may sustain, modify or overrule the action of the electrical inspector as codified in Chapter 19.12 LMC.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)