Chowchilla Municipal Code Ch. 15.08 Electrical Code

Footnotes:

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Prior history: Ord. 243-73 and prior code §§ 8-1—8-43.

Pursuant to provisions of section 50022.0 of the government code of the state of California, the city council of the city of Chowchilla does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the currently adopted California Electrical Code, included in the California Building Standards Code of the California Code of Regulations Title 24, copies of which are on file in the community and economic development department, for public record and inspection. These are hereby adopted by the city council by reference as the electrical code of the city of Chowchilla and made part of this chapter as is set forth in full, subject, however, to the amendments, additions, deletions, and the exceptions set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.010, 1979)

(Ord. No. 451-09, § 10, 1-12-2009; Ord. No. 467-13, § 7, 1-14-2014; Ord. No. 500-19, § 1, 10-8-2019; Ord. No. 517-23, § 21, 11-28-2023)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure in the city, or use or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the California Electrical Code or this chapter. The building official or his/her authorized representative shall issue a citation for an infraction, unless a determination has been made by the city attorney that a misdemeanor charge is not appropriate.

B. Except as otherwise provided, a violation of any provision of this chapter is deemed a violation under the provisions of the city of Chowchilla Administration Citation Ordinance (Title 1, Chapter 1).

C. Nothing in this chapter precludes the city of Chowchilla from using any other available methods to enforce provisions of this chapter including, but not limited to, initiation by the city attorney of any civil or criminal actions.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.020, 1979)

(Ord. No. 451-09, § 11, 1-12-2009; Ord. No. 517-23, § 22, 11-28-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 451-09, § 12, adopted Jan. 12, 2009, deleted §§ 15.08.030—15.08.170, which pertained to various Articles of the electrical code and derived from Ord. No. 306-79, § 7.030 (part), 1979.

A. The language used in this chapter is intended to convey the common and accepted meanings familiar to the electrical industry.

B. The building director is directed to determine the intent and meaning of any provision of this chapter. Such determination shall be made in writing and a record kept, which record shall be open to the public.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.040, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 23, 11-28-2023)

Whenever the following terms are used in this chapter, they shall have the following meanings:

A. "Apprentice" or "electrician's helper" is one engaged in learning the electrical trade and/or electric sign trade.

B. "Electrical equipment" is any and all electrical wires, appliances, conduits, fixtures, apparatus or devices in, on, or about buildings and on private or public property in the city, used for the conveying, carrying, or consumption of electrical energy of six volts or more, and also all low voltage controls.

C. "Electrical work" is any work done in connection with the installation, construction, erection, connection, removal, alteration, maintenance, or repair of any and all electrical equipment.

D. "Inspector" is the building inspector of the city.

E. "Journeyman electrician" is any person holding a valid journeyman electrician's certificate who is employed to do electrical work for a wage or salary either by day, week or month, but who does not furnish any materials or supplies in execution or performance of any such electrical work.

F. "Master electrician" is a person holding a valid electrical contractor's license (C-10) issued by the state.

G. "Plant electrician" is a journeyman electrician who is regularly employed by a person for continuous service by the year or for a full season of operation of seasonal industries.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.110, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 24, 11-28-2023)

A. Except as stated in Section 15.08.210, no electric wiring device, appliance or equipment shall be installed within or on any building, structure or premises nor shall any alteration or addition be made in any such existing wiring, device, appliance or equipment without first securing a permit therefor from the building department.

B. A separate permit must be obtained for a temporary meter required for construction purposes.

C. A separate permit shall be required for each building or structure which stands alone, except those uses which are accessory to dwellings and which are located on the same premises.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.210, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 25, 11-28-2023)

A. The following are exceptions from permit requirements:

1. Electric wiring expressly declared to be exempt from the provisions of the electrical code by any other sections hereof or by any other provisions of the Chowchilla Municipal Code;

2. Installation of any portable motor or other portable appliance energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug end, when that cord or cable is permitted by this electrical code.

3. Repair or replacement of fixed motors or fixed approved appliances of the same type and rating in the same location;

4. Christmas temporary decorative lighting for a period of not to exceed twenty days;

5. Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contactor, or control device;

6. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets therefor;

7. Repair or replacement of any overcurrent device of the required capacity and in the same location;

8. Repair or replacement of electrodes, or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems;

9. Taping of joints;

10. Removal of electric wiring;

11. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.

B. The exceptions set forth in subsection A of this section from permit requirements shall not permit any electric wiring to be done in a manner contrary to other provisions of this electrical code.

C. No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration or repair of electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment installed by or for a public service corporation for the use of such corporation in the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of the electrical energy, or for the use of such a corporation in the operation of signals of the transmission of intelligence.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.220, 1979)

Permits required by this chapter shall be obtained before work is started, except in cases where emergency or urgent necessity can be shown to exist and provided a permit is obtained within twenty-four hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.230, 1979)

A. Permits shall be issued to:

1. Owners of single-family dwellings who qualify under the requirements of subsection B of this section; and

2. Plant electrician or master electrician;

3. Governmental agencies;

4. State licensed contractors whose licenses permit electrical work as an integral or accessory authorization of such license.

B. The owner of a single-family dwelling including the usual accessory buildings may obtain permits for work in such dwelling or accessory buildings, provided:

1. The dwelling is, or is to be, occupied by the owner;

2. The dwelling is a detached building containing no other dwelling unit or other occupancy;

3. There are no other buildings other than the dwelling and accessory buildings located on the premises;

4. All work shall be done by the owner;

5. The owner files with the department an affidavit stating all of the facts set forth in this subsection.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.240, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 26, 11-28-2023)

A. Application for a permit required by this chapter shall be made in writing to the building inspector.

B. The application shall describe the work to be done and shall be accompanied by such plans, specifications and schedules as may be necessary to determine whether the installation as described will conform with the requirements of this chapter.

C. Electrical plans shall be submitted with the application for the following types of installation:

1. All commercial and industrial installations;

2. Apartment buildings that contain five or more units.

D. Plans submitted with such applications shall show a single line diagram of service feeders, conduit and wire size and shall be accompanied by electrical calculations.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.250, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 27, 11-28-2023)

A. Upon receipt of an application for a permit required by this chapter, and upon determining that the installation described in the application will, in general, conform with the requirements of this chapter, the building inspector shall, if the applicant has complied with all the provisions of this chapter, grant such permit for the installation or alteration of electrical wiring, devices, appliances and equipment.

B. The issuance of a permit by the inspector shall not be taken as permission to violate any of the requirements of this chapter.

C. The building inspector shall keep complete records of all permits issued in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.260, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 28, 11-28-2023)

Electrical permits and inspection fees shall be from time to time set by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 314-80 § 21, 1980: Ord. 306-79 § 7.2120, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 29, 11-28-2023)

A. Electrical permit fees shall only be refunded in those instances where duplicate permits were issued for the same job, or, when requested, on those jobs whereon work has been performed pertaining to that permit.

B. No refund shall be made on permits which have expired.

C. A charge as determined and set from time to time by resolution of the city council shall be deducted from any fees to refunded under this section to defray the administrative costs incurred by the city.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.2130, 1979)

(Ord. No. 451-09, § 13, 1-12-2009; Ord. No. 517-23, § 30, 11-28-2023)

When a permit required by this chapter is issued, it shall be for such installations as are described in the application and no deviations shall be made from the installation so described without the written permission or approval of the building inspector.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.280, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 31, 11-28-2023)

If the building inspector finds that the safety of life and property will not be jeopardized, they may issue permits for temporary electrical installations for use during the construction of buildings, for carnivals, conventions, festivals, fairs, the holding of religious services, temporary lighting of streets, etc. Permission to use such temporary installation shall not be granted for a greater length of time than ninety days, except that a permit for a temporary power pole to be used for the construction of a building or buildings may be issued for the period of construction. Should such temporary lighting be over the street area or other public property, the proper authority for such use of the street must first be obtained. All such temporary installations shall be made in a manner as nearly as practicable in conformance with the requirements of this chapter for permanent work, provided the building inspector may permit deviations which will not cause hazard to life and property; and further provided, that whenever such hazards are deemed by the building inspector to exist, they may, at once, rescind or cancel the permit covering such installations and disconnect or order the disconnection of all energy to such equipment.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.270, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 32, 11-28-2023)

If the work authorized by a permit required by this chapter is not commenced within a period of sixty days after issuance, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred eighty days, the permit shall become void.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.290, 1979)

(Ord. No. 467-13, § 8, 1-14-2014; Ord. No. 517-23, § 33, 11-28-2023)

A permit required by this chapter which has expired may be renewed upon payment of a fee, according to the fee schedule as adopted, to cover the unfinished work.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.2110, 1979)

A. Should any person, to whom a permit required by this chapter has been issued, quit an installation for any reason, they shall notify the inspection department of the building department within forty-eight hours and request an inspection of the work installed.

B. No person shall resume work on an uncompleted installation until such installation has been approved by the inspection department and the necessary permit obtained.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.2140, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 34, 11-28-2023)

Upon completion of the work which has been authorized by the issuance of a permit required by this chapter, it shall be the duty of a person installing the same to notify the building inspector who shall inspect the installation within forty-eight hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, of the time such notice is given or as soon thereafter as practicable.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.2150, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 35, 11-28-2023)

If, upon inspection as required, the installation is not found to be fully in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, the building inspector shall notify the person making the installation, stating the defects which have been found to exist. All defects shall be corrected within ten days after inspection and notification, or within such other reasonable time as permitted by the building inspector.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.2160, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 36, 11-28-2023)

A. No person other than a master electrician shall act in the capacity of a journeyman electrician without a journeyman's certificate issued in the state of California by the state, any county, or city or other certificating authority acceptable to the city.

B. Apprentice or electrician's helpers shall register with the inspector.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.150, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 37, 11-28-2023)

A. A certificated journeyman electrician may do any work covered by this chapter.

B. A plant electrician shall be restricted in the doing of any electrical work to that directly connected with the industrial plants of their employer. Any person employing a plant electrician shall, at the end of each quarter, submit to the inspector a list describing the electrical work done during the month and shall immediately take out and pay for permits covering the electrical work, all in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

C. No apprentice or electrician's helper shall do or perform any electrical work except under the direct and personal supervision and in the presence of a licensed master or certified journeyman electrician who shall be held responsible for the work of such apprentice or electrician's helper.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.160, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 38, 11-28-2023)

Every journeyman electrician, registered apprentice and electrical helper must carry their certificate with him while doing electrical work.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.170, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 39, 11-28-2023)

A. Nothing contained in the code shall be construed to curtail the use of or to require any person to reinstall, reconstruct, alter, change or remove electrical wiring now in existence, which was legal at the time of enactment of this chapter, provided such continued use is not dangerous as defined in this chapter.

B. Electric wiring installed under a permit issued before the effective date of the code may be installed in accordance with the laws in effect when the permit was issued; and all work begun before expiration of the permit may be done in accordance with such laws.

C. When a building is moved within or into this city, the wiring and fixtures shall be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.120, 1979)

When any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of parts of the building, the person installing the wiring shall notify the building inspector and such parts of the wiring installation shall not be concealed until they have been inspected and approved by the inspector; provided, that on large installations, where the concealment of parts of the wiring proceeds continuously, the person installing the wiring shall give the inspector due notice and inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the work. The inspector shall have the power to remove, or require the removal of, any obstruction that prevents proper inspection of any electrical equipment of installation.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.2170, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 40, 11-28-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 451-09, § 14, adopted Jan. 12, 2009, deleted §§ 15.08.400—15.08.450, which pertained to various electrical sections of the electrical code and derived from Ord. No. 306-79, §§ 7.310—7.360, 1979.

A. The building inspector shall have the right, during reasonable hours or at any time when extreme danger exists, to enter any building in the discharge of their official duties or for the purpose of making an inspection, reinspection or test of the installation of electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment therein.

B. The building inspector shall have the authority to cut or disconnect any wire in case of emergencies where necessary to the safety of life or property or where such wire may interfere with the work of the fire department.

C. The building inspector is authorized to disconnect or order discontinuance of electrical service to any electrical wiring, device, appliance or equipment found to be dangerous to life or property because they are defective or defectively installed.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.060, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 41, 11-28-2023)

The building inspector may delegate any of their powers or duties to any of their assistants.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.070, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 42, 11-28-2023)

A. The building inspector shall make inspection of all new installations and reinspection of all electrical installations as provided in this chapter.

B. The building inspector shall keep complete records of all inspections and reinspections made and other official work performed in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.090, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 43, 11-28-2023)

A. The inspector shall have the power, and it shall be their duty, to enforce the provisions of this code and all ordinances, rules and regulations of the city and all laws of the state relating to electrical equipment and electrical work, and do and perform such other acts as may be required by him by the city administrator.

B. It shall also be the duty of the inspector to inspect and examine, at such times as may be necessary, any and all electrical equipment heretofore or hereafter installed in the city to the end that the same shall be maintained in a proper condition for the safeguarding of life and property.

C. When all of the electrical work done under each permit has been inspected and approved by the inspector, they shall issue a final certificate of inspection of the work upon request of the owner or permittee.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.130, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 44, 11-28-2023)

A. The inspector is authorized to inspect electric wiring installed prior to, or after the effective date of this code.

B. In order to alleviate hazards to life or property due to lack of maintenance, deterioration, unapproved alterations or additions, the inspector shall reinspect all electric wiring installations periodically. The intervals between these inspections shall not exceed five years.

C. The inspector will not be required to make periodic reinspections of single-family dwellings or multifamily dwellings having fewer than five dwelling units.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.140, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 45, 11-28-2023)

A board of appeals for this chapter is established in accordance with the provisions for a board of appeals under the CBC, except that wherever building construction is used in the CBC it shall be read as electrical construction.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.140, 1979)

(Ord. No. 451-09, § 15, 1-12-2009; Ord. No. 517-23, § 46, 11-28-2023)

It shall be the duty of the building inspector to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.080, 1979)

(Ord. No. 517-23, § 47, 11-28-2023)

This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any party owning, operating, controlling, or installing any electrical wiring, electrical device or electrical materials for damage to any person or property caused by any defect therein nor shall the city or any officer or employee thereof enforcing this article be held assuming any such liability by means of the inspections authorized herein or by the issuance of certificates of inspection in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 306-79 § 7.050, 1979)