This chapter shall be known as the "Electrical Law of the Town of Queensbury."
Since there is danger to life and property inherent in the use of electrical
energy, this chapter 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, in or on all property within the Town of Queensbury.
All electrical installations, alterations or repairs of wiring for electric
light, heat or power and signal systems hereafter made in or on real property
in the Town of Queensbury shall be made in conformity with the requirements
of the National Electrical Code, as cited in the New York State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code and as from time to time amended by the National
Fire Protection Association, except where the provisions of this chapter or
any other law, ordinance or building code of the Town of Queensbury shall
differently prescribe, in which event compliance with the provisions of such
law, ordinance or building code shall be recognized as proper compliance with
this chapter.
[Amended 5-24-1991 by L.L. No. 6-1991]
A. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person,
firm or corporation to install, cause to be installed or to alter or repair
electrical wiring for light, heat or power in or on properties in the Town
of Queensbury until a written application for the inspection has been filed
with the electrical inspector. The electrical inspector shall forward to the
Director of Building and Code Enforcement a record of all such applications
received by him.
B. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person,
firm or corporation to connect or cause to be connected electrical wiring
in or on properties in the Town of Queensbury for light, heat or power to
any source of electrical energy supply prior to the issuance of a temporary
certificate of compliance by the electrical inspector. The electrical inspector
shall forward to the Director of Building and Code Enforcement a record of
all temporary certificates issued by him.
[Amended 5-24-1991 by L.L. No. 6-1991]
If at any time any person, including an official or employee of the
Town of Queensbury, deems that an electrical inspector is incompetent, unqualified
or has violated this chapter, such person shall file a written complaint with
the Town Clerk and the Director of Building and Code Enforcement. The Town
Board shall conduct or designate a hearing officer to conduct a hearing after
service of a notice of hearing. Service of such notice shall be made 10 days
prior to the hearing date and may be made in person or by certified mail.
If mailed to the inspector's place of business as filed with the Town of Queensbury,
such complainant and responding inspector may be in attendance to present
testimony and witnesses on their behalf. If a hearing officer has been designated,
he shall thereafter forward his recommendations and the basis therefor to
the Town Board. The Town Board shall, by majority vote, determine whether
to revoke, suspend, reinstate or take no action on the complaint. Such determination
shall be made in writing and be filed with the Town Clerk. If any member of
the Town Board shall be the complainant, such member shall not be entitled
to vote. When the Director of Building and Code Enforcement determines that
there is sufficient danger to the public or to the health, safety and welfare
of any resident of the Town of Queensbury, he may suspend any license granted
under this chapter for a period of 30 days pending a hearing as herein provided.
The fees for licenses issued hereunder shall be $300. Such fee may be
increased from time to time by the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury under
separate resolution. All licenses shall be for a term of one calendar year.
[Amended 5-24-1991 by L.L. No. 6-1991]
A. It shall be the duty of the electrical inspector to report
in writing to the Director of Building and Code Enforcement all violations
of or deviations from or omissions of the electrical provisions of the National
Electrical Code and of all 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 Queensbury upon written request of an
authorized official of the Town of Queensbury or as herein provided. 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
Queensbury. It shall be the duty of the inspector to furnish written reports
to the proper officials of the Town of Queensbury and to the 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 Director of Building and Code Enforcement.
B. When an inspection or reinspection shows a defective
electrical installation or a defective electrical device, appliance or equipment,
the electrical inspector making the same shall submit a written disapproval
report thereof to the Director of Building and Code Enforcement and shall
cause a copy of such report to be sent to the owners and/or lessees of the
property inspected.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the electrical installations
in mines, ships, railway cars or automotive equipment or the installations
on equipment employed by a railroad, electrical or communication utility in
the exercise of its function 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 his or its principal business. It shall
not apply to any building which is owned or leased in its entirety by the
governments of the United States or the State of New York.
[Amended 5-24-1991 by L.L. No. 6-1991]
This chapter shall not be construed to hold the Town of Queensbury responsible
for any damage to person or property by reason of the inspection or reinspection
authorized herein or failure to inspect or reinspect required under this chapter,
nor shall the Town of Queensbury be liable for any damage to person or property
by reason of the Director of Building and Code Enforcement exercising his
discretion as provided for in this chapter.