[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Rotterdam 3-23-1960. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Electrical
Inspection Ordinance of the Town of Rotterdam."
Since there is danger to life and property inherent
in the use of electrical energy, this Electrical Inspection Ordinance
is enacted to regulate the installation, alteration or repair of wiring
for electric light, heat or power and signal systems operating on
50 volts or more, or to install or cause to be installed, or to alter,
repair or maintain any portable electrical equipment used for amusement
device connected to 50 or more volts of electrical power which equipment
is intended for use by the public or as an amusement device or vending
machine, in or on all real property within the Town of Rotterdam.
[Added 3-12-1986 by L.L. No. 4-1986]
Where the provisions of this chapter conflict
with any provision of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code, the provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code shall apply.
[Amended 7-9-2003 by L.L.
No. 9-2003]
All electrical installations heretofore mentioned
shall be made in conformity with the requirements of the National
Electrical Code so long as it or they shall continue to be standards
approved by the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council,
or any other standards approved by the New York State Fire Prevention
and Building Code Council, except where the provisions of this chapter
or any other local law, ordinance or Building Code of the Town of
Rotterdam shall differently prescribe, in which event compliance with
the provisions of such local law, ordinance or Building Code shall
be recognized as proper compliance with this chapter. The requirements
of the National Electrical Code shall be those known as the "National
Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 70," as approved by the American
Standards Association.
[Amended 6-12-1991 by L.L. No. 4-1991; 3-26-1997 by L.L. No. 6-1997; 11-12-1997 by L.L. No.
14-1997; 8-12-1998 by L.L. No. 11-1998; 10-13-1999 by L.L. No. 16-1999; 12-23-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015; 7-13-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016; 6-26-2019 by L.L. No.
10-2019; 10-23-2019 by L.L. No. 20-2019]
The Chief Inspector, and each of the duly appointed inspectors
of New York Atlantic-Inland, Inc., the Middle Department Inspection
Agency, Inc., The Inspector, LLC, Northeast Electrical Inspectors,
LLC, and Commonwealth Electrical Inspection Service, Inc., are hereby
authorized and deputized as agents of the Town of Rotterdam to make
inspections and reinspections of all electrical installations heretofore
and hereafter described, and to approve or disapprove the same. In
no event, however, will the cost or expense of such inspections and
reinspections be a charge against the Town of Rotterdam.
[Amended 7-9-2003 by L.L.
No. 9-2003]
It shall be the duty of the Inspector to report
in writing to the Chief Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer,
whose duty it shall be to enforce all the provisions of this code,
all violations of or deviations from or omissions of the electrical
provisions of the National Electrical Code, and of all local laws,
ordinances and the Building Code as referred to in this chapter insofar
as any of the same apply to electrical wiring. The Inspector shall
make inspections and reinspections of electrical installations in
and on properties in the Town of Rotterdam upon the written request
of an authorized official of the Town of Rotterdam or as herein provided.
The Inspector is authorized to make inspections and reinspections
of electrical wiring installations, devices, appliances and equipment,
in and on properties within the Town of Rotterdam, where he deems
it necessary for the protection of life and property. In the event
of an emergency it is the duty of the Inspector to make electrical
inspections upon the oral request of an official or officer of the
Town of Rotterdam. It shall be the duty of the Inspector to furnish
written reports to the proper officials of the Town of Rotterdam and
owners and/or lessees of property where defective electrical installations
and equipment are found upon inspection. He shall authorize the issuing
of a certificate of compliance when electrical installations and equipment
are in conformity with this chapter. He shall direct that a copy of
the certificate of compliance be sent to the Town of Rotterdam to
the attention of the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 6-12-1991 by L.L. No. 4-1991; 3-26-1997 by L.L. No. 6-1997; 11-12-1997 by L.L. No.
14-1997; 10-13-1999 by L.L. No. 16-1999; 12-23-2015 by L.L.
No. 5-2015; 7-13-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016]
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm
or corporation to install or cause to be installed or to alter or
repair electrical wiring for heat, light or power in or on properties
in the Town of Rotterdam until an application for inspection has been
filed with New York Atlantic-Inland, Inc., the Middle Department Inspection
Agency, Inc., The Inspector, LLC, or Northeast Electrical Inspectors,
LLC. It shall be a violation of this chapter for a person, firm or
corporation to connect or cause to be connected electrical wiring
in or on properties for light, heat or power, to any source of electrical
energy supply, prior to the issuance of a temporary certificate or
a certificate of compliance by the New York Atlantic-Inland, Inc.,
the Middle Department Inspection Agency, Inc., The Inspector, LLC,
or Northeast Electrical inspectors, LLC.
[Amended 3-12-1986 by L.L. No. 4-1986; 6-12-2013 by L.L. No. 7-2013]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate
any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation made
pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a
fine of no less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for
a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for conviction of a first
offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed
within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than
$1,000 nor more than $1,500 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed
15 days, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense,
all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable
by a fine not less than $1,500 nor more than $2,000 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. Each day of continued
violation shall constitute a separate, additional offense.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply
to the electrical installations in mines, ships, railway cars, automotive
equipment or the installations or equipment employed by a railway,
electrical or communication utility in the exercise of its function
as a utility, and located outdoors or in buildings used exclusively
for that purpose. This chapter shall not apply to any work involved
in the manufacture, assembly, test or repair of electrical machinery,
apparatus, materials and equipment by a person, firm or corporation
engaged in electrical manufacturing as their principal business. It
shall not apply to any building which is owned or leased in its entirety
by the government of the United States or the State of New York.
[Amended 6-12-1991 by L.L. No. 4-1991; 3-26-1997 by L.L. No. 6-1997; 11-12-1997 by L.L. No.
14-1997; 10-13-1999 by L.L. No. 16-1999]
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve
from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating,
controlling or installing any electrical wiring, devices, appliances
or equipment for loss of life or damage to person or property caused
by a defect therein, nor shall the Town of Rotterdam or the New York
Board of Fire Underwriters or the Middle Department of Inspection
Agency, Inc., or The Inspector, LLC be deemed to have assumed any
such liability by reason of any inspection made pursuant to this chapter.
