[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Coatesville 11-22-1993 by Ord. No. 947-93. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 82.
Licensing of building contractors — See Ch. 84.
Buildings and land with substantial violations — See Ch. 87.
Fees — See Ch. 108.
Firearms, weapons and fireworks — See Ch. 112.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 115.
Lifesafety standards — See Ch. 151.
Mechanical standards — See Ch. 156.
Plumbing standards — See Ch. 176.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 180.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 197.
Use registration — See Ch. 214.
Zoning — See Ch. 224.
[Amended 9-9-1996 by Ord. No. 1033-96; 8-13-2001 by Ord. No. 1171-2001]
The City of Coatesville hereby adopts, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the installation, renewal, extension and reception of electric writing and electric apparatus in existing buildings, structures, or outdoor electrical displays or signs or in the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of buildings, structures or outdoor electrical displays or signs, the electrical code known as the "International Electrical Code," 2000 NFPA current edition (hereinafter also referred to as the "National Electrical Code"), as recommended and published by the National Fire Protection Association, of which not less than three copies have been and now are filed in the office of the Codes Department, and the same are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein. From the date on which this chapter shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling for all existing and future electrical wiring and apparatus in buildings, structures or outdoor electrical displays or signs within the corporate limits of the City of Coatesville.
The National Electrical Code adopted in § 102-1 hereof shall be enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer shall, upon the installation, removal, extension and reception of any electrical writing and electric apparatus pursuant to this chapter cause an inspection or inspections to be made by himself or herself or his or her duly authorized agents, to determine that the electrical work conforms with the National Electrical Code, this chapter and other ordinances of the City of Coatesville and the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
No person, copartnership, firm, association, corporation or other legal entity shall hereafter install, receive, renew or extend electrical wire or conductors to be used for the transmission of electric current for electric light, heater power purposes in existing buildings, structures or outdoor electrical displays or signs or in the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of buildings, structures or outdoor electrical displays or signs, without first applying for and obtaining a permit to do so pursuant to this chapter.
A. 
All such applications for a permit shall be made to the Code Enforcement Officer in writing on forms supplied by said Code Enforcement Officer.
B. 
Any person making false answers to any questions or items set forth in such application form shall forfeit and surrender any permit issued pursuant thereto.
C. 
Such application form shall contain questions designed to elicit information to determine whether or not said proposed electric wiring and electric apparatus complies with the National Electrical Code, any other ordinances of the City of Coatesville and statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
D. 
Each such application form shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed by ordinance from time to time by the City Council.
[Amended 9-9-1996 by Ord. No. 1033-96]
E. 
Each applicant for a permit shall furnish to the Code Enforcement Officer, proof in writing that an application for inspection of the proposed electric wiring and electric apparatus has been made to a local area inspection agency that specializes in such inspections, to determine that the electrical work conforms with the provisions of the National Electrical Code and this chapter. The payment of all inspection fees and charges of the local area inspection agency shall be borne by the applicant.
F. 
Each applicant for a permit shall cause the premises covered by the application to be open for inspection or inspections by the Code Enforcement Officer and his agents and the representative or representatives of the local area inspection agency at all reasonable times.
G. 
Upon the determination of the Code Enforcement Officer that the proposed electric wiring and electric apparatus comply with the National Electrical Code, this chapter and other ordinances of the City of Coatesville and the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a permit shall be issued.
H. 
Homeowner's electrical permit.
[Added 12-10-2007 by Ord. No. 1292-2007[1]]
(1) 
Eligibility.
(a) 
Homeowner's electrical permit. Homeowners' permits, issued if a home is not for sale or rent, are required for new construction, renovation, and any work that requires a building permit. Generally, homeowners' permits are not required for replacement in kind. Only owner-occupants who perform the work themselves qualify for homeowners' permits.
[1] 
A homeowner's permit is not authorized until a dwelling is on the site or under construction. A homeowner shall not be permitted to install his or her own internal wiring, electrical work or equipment associated with a hot tub or a swimming pool.
[2] 
A homeowner's permit issued for a mobile home on a leased lot authorizes feeder installation for the mobile home itself and it does not include the installation or repair of service equipment.
[3] 
If a homeowner's permit is approved for a dwelling on a lot, other structures on the same lot, such as a noncommercial garage, are also covered unless otherwise prohibited.
[4] 
Applicants for homeowners' permits shall contact one of the third-party inspection agencies to have the electrical work inspected and to answer applicant's questions about the electrical code. Before installing dry wall, applicants shall contact an inspection agency for a "rough in" inspection.
(2) 
Application requirements. Applicants shall submit the application with the following items for processing:
(a) 
Proof of home ownership:
[1] 
A copy of the official, signed deed with Recorder of Deeds stamp which has been recorded at the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office. If you need a copy, contact the Chester County Courthouse, Market and High Streets, West Chester, PA 19382, phone: (610) 344-6000; or
[2] 
A copy of the long-term lease, e.g., 99 years, if the site of the dwelling is part of a community where title to the land is not conveyed by deed to the homeowner; or
[3] 
A copy of the title to a mobile home; or
[4] 
A written contract of sale, signed by the parties, for a mobile home that includes the names of the buyer, seller, contract price, date of sale, and identification number of the mobile home.
(b) 
A copy of the homeowner's driver's license or other photo identification.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection H as Subsection I.
I. 
All permits shall expire six months from the date of issuance by the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 9-9-1996 by Ord. No. 1033-96]
A. 
All inspections shall be made to ensure that the proposed electrical work complies with the National Electrical Code. No electric wiring shall be concealed unless inspected and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer and his or her agents and the representatives or representative of the local area inspection agency, but such inspection or reinspection shall be made within a reasonable time after notice of completion of the electrical work sought to be inspected for approval. A duplicate record of each written approval made by the local area inspection agency shall be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer.
B. 
All decisions made to determine whether or not the proposed electrical work complies with the provisions of the National Electrical Code shall be made by the Code Enforcement Officer.
C. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power to stop electrical work and order the removal thereof when he or she determines that such work is being installed not in conformity with the National Electrical Code, this chapter and other ordinances of the City of Coatesville and the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
D. 
The Code Enforcement Officer may waive his or her inspection to determine compliance with the National Electrical Code and this chapter of all or that portion of the proposed electrical work for which he or she shall have received a duplicate record of approval by the local area inspection agency. The Code Enforcement Officer shall give notice so that the approved work may be concealed.
In order to safeguard persons and property against the hazards and perils incident to defective electric wiring and apparatus that are or may now be in existence within the corporate limits of the City of Coatesville the Code Enforcement Officer is hereby given the duty to inspect with his or her agents and their representative or representatives of the local area inspection agency, when requested by proper authority, or when public interest so requires, any premises within the City at reasonable times to ensure that the existing electric wiring system and apparatus is not defective and unsafe.
A. 
All decisions that the existing electric wiring system and apparatus is defective shall be made by the Code Enforcement Officer in writing on notice to the owner of the premises served forthwith personally or by regular mail addressed to the address shown on the latest tax records, with reasons for his or her decision.
B. 
Upon the decision of the Code Enforcement Officer that the existing electric wiring is defective and unsafe as aforesaid, the system or portions of the system which are defective and unsafe shall be discontinued until it is corrected and made to comply with the provisions of the National Electrical Code in accordance with this chapter.
C. 
Operation of any system or portions of a system discontinued pursuant to § 102-5B shall be restored only upon certification of a licensed electrician that the system is no longer defective and unsafe, and further that it complies with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, which certification shall be obtained at the cost of the property owner.
[Added 9-9-1996 by Ord. No. 1033-96]
Every application and owner of the premises and other parties in interest shall have the right to demand in writing a hearing before the City Council to contest any decision or order made by the Code Enforcement Officer. Such demand for a hearing shall be signed by the contesting party within 10 days of denial of permit stating what portions of the decision or orders are contested and his or her or their interest in the premises.
A. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall fix a time and place for the hearing to be held not more than 30 days after receiving such demand for a hearing and cause a notice of the hearing to be served personally or by regular mail on the contestant, owner of the premises, other parties in interest and the City Council.
B. 
The contestant, owner of the premises and other parties in interest shall have the right to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the hearing. Rules of evidence prevailing in the courts shall not be controlling.
C. 
The City Council, within a reasonable time after such hearing, shall make its decision in writing with a finding of the facts and the reasons for its decision, and serve a copy of its decision personally or by regular mail on the contestant, owner of the premises and other parties in interest.
Only materials, fittings and devices enumerated in the "List of Inspected Appliances" of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., as revised from time to time, shall be used in the electrical work regulated by the National Electrical Code and this chapter.
The National Electrical Code herein adopted is supplemented by adding thereto the following, which is made a part hereof:
A. 
Whenever a permit is required under the terms of this chapter for electrical wiring and apparatus to be done in connection with a gas or oil burner installation in any existing building or structure or in the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of buildings or structures, there shall be installed an emergency shutoff switch with a red plate thereon marked "oil burner" or "gas burner," as the case may be, at the entrance to the basement or heating room.
The City Council shall have the power to modify any of the provisions of this chapter, upon application in writing by the owner of a premises or his agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of this chapter, provided that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done.
All records of the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to this chapter shall be open to public inspection for good and sufficient reasons during office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the Code Enforcement Officer without his or her written consent.
No permit shall be required under this chapter for the following electrical work:
A. 
Minor repair work such as the replacement of lamps and fuses.
B. 
Equipment installed or work performed by or for a public utility operating under authority granted by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
C. 
Equipment installed or work performed by a railway utility in the exercise of its function as a utility and located in or on its right-of-way.
Fees for permits or renewals thereof required by this chapter shall be established, from time to time, by the City Council as set forth in Chapter 108, Fees.
[Amended 5-28-1996 by Ord. No. 1012-96]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter or of the National Electrical Code hereby adopted or fail to comply therewith or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order made hereunder or who shall do or cause to be done electrical work in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved hereunder or any certificate or permit issued hereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken, or who shall fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the Code Enforcement Officer within the time fixed therein, shall be, upon conviction thereof, sentenced to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs or to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues, following notice thereof, shall constitute a separate offense.
In all matters that are regulated by the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by regulations of departments or agencies of the commonwealth promulgated by authority by law, such laws or regulations, or other ordinances of the City of Coatesville, as the case may be, shall control where the requirements thereof are the same as or in excess of the provisions of this chapter. The code shall control in all cases where the state requirements or the requirements of other ordinances of this City are not as strict as those contained in this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter, so far as they are the same as those of ordinances and/or codes in force immediately prior to the enactment of this chapter, are intended as a continuation of such ordinances and codes and not as new enactment. The provisions of this chapter shall not affect any act done or liability incurred, nor shall they affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or penalty or to punish any offense under the authority of any of the repealed ordinances.