Kern County Municipal Code Art. VI Electrical Maintenance Permit

The Electrical Maintenance Permit (EMP) is an authorization for a business or industrial firm with ongoing, repetitive and routine electrical work to comply with certain minimum standards regarding the plan checking and inspection of such activity through a quarterly reporting program where:

A. A qualified electrical activity is performed by a C-10 (electrical) contractor or qualified electrician.

B. The work performed is tracked by the permittee and is reported to the department on forms provided by the building official on a quarterly basis by the business or industrial firm's designated contact person.

C. The department's inspection staff meets with the firm's contact person to perform representative spot inspections on the work performed.

(Ord. No. G-9359, § 9, 11-4-25)

A. Electrical work requiring any other type of building permit under the Code of Building Regulations shall obtain a separate electrical permit; however, if the permit is only for construction of oilfield pipe racks and/or oilfield foundations and the electrical work is otherwise applicable to the EMP it may be reported on the EMP form and a separate permit is not required.

B. Electrical work not considered appropriate to be reported on the EMP, or exempted work.

(Ord. No. G-9359, § 9, 11-4-25)

Such minor new electrical construction and/or maintenance work as:

A. All new installations and related electrical wiring used by a business or industrial firm of an ongoing, repetitive and routine nature at a new or reworked location that results in an overall net increase in horsepower at the service drop(s), or any location requiring a new or larger service drop as long as they do not exceed the limitations indicated in subsection (B) below. The qualified electrician or C-10 contractor who makes the new or reworked installation must prepare and sign a complete one (1) line load diagram of the new electrical installation after the installation is complete, and prior to submittal with the EMP report. If a standard (typical) one (1) line load diagram which matches the installation has been approved by this department a reference to the standard plan number on the EMP may be used in place of submitting the one (1) line load diagram.

B. New construction small site electrical installations (no occupancy)—used by a business or industrial firm of an ongoing, repetitive and routine nature: All electrical equipment with a 480 volt maximum and/or 250 horsepower maximum, all transformers less than 500 KVA, and connected loads with a 250 horsepower maximum. The qualified electrician or C-10 contractor who makes the installation must prepare and sign a complete one (1) line load diagram of the new electrical installation after it is complete, and prior to submittal with the EMP report. If a standard (typical) one (1) line load diagram which matches the installation has been approved by this department a reference to the standard plan number on the EMP may be used in place of submitting the one (1) line load diagram.

C. All electrical installations are subject to the current provisions of the Code of Building Regulations, the California Electrical Code and approval or exemption from the permit process by the Kern County Building Department.

D. Separate electrical permits are required for all other installations, unless specifically exempted herein.

(Ord. No. G-9359, § 9, 11-4-25)

The following oilfield electrical construction is exempt from the requirement for reporting on the EMP report:

A. Repair or replacement of existing electrical equipment with like or smaller equipment (like for like change-outs);

B. Relocation of pumping units or artificial lift devices to existing locations (two hundred fifty (250) horsepower maximum);

C. All overhead electrical distribution line(s) and apparatus regulated under General Order 95 (G.O. 95) twelve (12) KV or less;

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

E. Temporary or emergency lighting;

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

G. Repair or replacement of any over current device of the required capacity in the same location;

H. Removal of electrical wiring.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. G-9359, § 9, 11-4-25)

The quarterly EMP reports must be mailed to this department within thirty (30) days of the close of the quarters and failure to provide the report may result in the reporting party losing eligibility for future Electrical Maintenance Permits. The following chart depicts the periods covered by the quarterly reports and the deadlines for mailing the reports. Reports should be submitted to the attention of the Kern County Electrical Inspection Specialist, 2700 "M" Street, Suite 570, Bakersfield, California 93301, by first class mail or they may be turned in at any of the Building Inspection Offices.

(Ord. No. G-9359, § 9, 11-4-25)

Upon notice from the department that the business or industrial firm or qualified electrician is not complying with this chapter or the provisions set out in Sections 17.24.250 through 17.24.290 the Electrical Maintenance Permit may be canceled. Any paid fees will be forfeited.

(Ord. No. G-9359, § 9, 11-4-25)