Lancaster Municipal Code Ch. 15.12 Electrical Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 1139, § 1, adopted Oct. 28, 2025, amended Ch. 15.12 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 15.12, §§ 15.12.010—15.12.060, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 1094, § 1, adopted Nov. 8, 2022.

A. That certain electrical code is known and designated as the 2025 California Electrical Code, incorporating by adoption the National Electrical Code, 2025 edition, by the National Fire Protection Association, with necessary California amendments, all published by the National Fire Protection Association, and as herein amended, is hereby adopted by reference, and such code shall be and become the Lancaster Electrical Code, regulating the installation, arrangement, alteration, repair, maintenance, use and operation of electrical wiring, connections, fixtures, equipment, and other electrical appliances.

B. One copy of said 2025 California Electrical Code has been deposited in the office of the Building Official and shall be at all times maintained by said Building Official for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

A. In lieu of an individual permit for each installation or alteration, an annual permit may be issued to any person, firm, or corporation regularly employing one or more registered maintenance electricians for the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment or premises owned or occupied by the applicant for the permit. The application for such an annual permit shall be made in writing to the building official and shall contain a description of the premises upon which work is to be done under the permit. Within not more than fifteen (15) days following the end of each calendar month, the person, firm, or corporation to which an annual permit is issued shall transmit to the building official a report of all electrical work which has been done under the annual permit during the preceding month. A fee specified in the fee schedule shall be paid for each annual registered maintenance electrician's permit at the time such permit is issued. In addition, fees shall be paid for all work installed under such a permit, in accordance with the fee schedule, at the time the work is inspected.

B. "Registered maintenance electrician" shall mean a person holding a valid certificate of registration as a maintenance electrician issued by a recognized agency.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

For the purpose of this chapter, any electrical equipment existing in any type of occupancy which has any or all of the conditions or defects described as follows shall be deemed dangerous, and such equipment shall be replaced, repaired, reinstalled, reconstructed or removed:

A. The service panel(s) or sub-panel(s) show visual evidence of an overload.

B. The working space in front of any service panel or sub-panel, as outlined in Table 110.26(A)(1), is not properly maintained.

C. Live front panels are being maintained or used.

D. The fuses or circuit breakers are rated higher than those permitted by the Electrical Code.

E. The electrical conductor is in an unapproved raceway.

F. The electrical conductors from different classes of service are in a common raceway.

G. Drop cords greater than six feet in length are used to connect electrical appliances.

H. The electrical equipment is not properly grounded for the protection of the electrical equipment as determined by the use being made thereof.

I. The electrical equipment is broken, cracked, or not properly maintained to meet the standards existing at the time the equipment was approved.

J. The electrical equipment is unsafe for the intended use.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

Article 690 of the 2025 California Electrical Code is hereby amended by adding the following:

690.15.1 Disconnecting Means

A lockable type disconnecting means rated for the output amperage shall be installed immediately adjacent to the service equipment on the output side of the inverter.

Exception: If the inverter with an integrated disconnect is located adjacent to the service equipment (line of sight), the disconnecting means as stated above shall not be required.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

(a) General. Lancaster residents and business owners are permitted to construct and operate standalone electric energy systems, including, but not limited to, solar photovoltaic systems, fuel cell systems, battery systems, and wind electric systems, which can be disconnected from any and all utility grids and can operate with or without electrical energy storage ("Off-Grid Systems").

(b) Compliance with State and Local Laws. Any and all such Off-Grid Systems must comply with all applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the California Electrical Code and the California Energy Code, as may be amended from time to time, as well as all off-grid development standards approved by the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)

A. No permit shall be issued to any person to do or cause to be done any electrical work regulated by this code unless such person is a duly licensed contractor as required by Chapter 9, Division 3 commencing with Section 7000 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, except as otherwise provided herein.

B. Any permit required by this code may be issued to a person to do any electrical work regulated by this code in a single-family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including common accessory and minor poultry or agricultural buildings in the event that such person is the bona fide owner of such dwelling and accessory buildings and that the same is occupied and used exclusively by or are designated to be occupied and used exclusively by said owner. An owner may be issued a permit for, or perform any electrical work covered by this code on a duplex (maximum two units) where one unit is used and occupied exclusively by the bona fide owner. An owner or property manager shall not be issued a permit for, or perform any electrical work regulated by this code on any rental or lease property except for a duplex (maximum two units) where one unit is exclusively used and occupied by the bona fide owner.

(Ord. No. 1139, § 1, 10-28-2025)