Atascadero Municipal Code Ch. 4 Electrical Code

Adopt all informative annexes.

(a) Informative Annex J for informational purposes only.

(b) Amend Article 100, the definition of Qualified Person, to include the information note as a requirement to meet the intent of a Qualified Person.

(Ord. 693, 2/24/2026)

(a) All new electric, telephone, television, and other communication service connections for all new, altered, or enlarged buildings shall be provided by underground wiring. Extension of electric or communication distribution lines to serve such projects shall be underground wiring.

Exceptions:

(1) Replacement or relocation of electric service equipment served by existing overhead wiring.

(2) Where determined by the Chief Building Official to be impractical or infeasible within the standards and practices of the utility or other companies providing such services.

(3) Where the utility or other company's distribution system is underground, the service lines shall terminate at a connection point designated by the utility company. Where the utility or other company's distribution is overhead, the service lines shall terminate as a pole riser on a pole designated by the utility company.

(b) Definitions.

Impractical.

Unreasonably difficult due to a utility cost that is disproportionate to permitted construction valuation cost.

Infeasible.

Infeasible due to structural constraints and physical site limitations.

(Ord. 693, 2/24/2026)

If a property owner intends to install the electrical system for a new single-family residence (SFR) but is not a licensed C-10 electrical contractor, nor has completed the required number of on-the-job hours to qualify for the Electrician Trainee (ET) program to take either the general or residential electrician certification exam through the Division of Industrial Relations Department, then electrical plans designed by a licensed electrical engineer will be required. The plans will need to be specific enough to ensure that the person performing the work can ensure code compliance with the 2025 CEC.

(Ord. 693, 2/24/2026)

An SFR (Single-Family Residence) can be considered electrically off-grid when all of the following conditions are met:

(a) Infrastructure is installed without conductors for interconnection to the utility grid.

(b) The electrical system is designed by a licensed electrical engineer, including all applicable load and system calculations.

(c) A backup generator is installed, sized appropriately according to the requirements set by the electrical engineer.

(d) A properly sized photovoltaic (PV) system and energy storage system (ESS) are installed to meet the residence's energy needs.

(Ord. 693, 2/24/2026)