Los Angeles County Municipal Code Art. 81 Duties of Chief Electrical Inspector

The Chief Electrical Inspector shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Code in a manner consistent with the intent thereof.

The Chief Electrical Inspector may require the submission of plans and specifications, drawings, descriptions, and diagrams as, in the judgment of the Chief Electrical Inspector, is necessary to show clearly the character, kind and extent of electrical work covered by an application for a permit. When the Chief Electrical Inspector is satisfied that the plans submitted comply with the provisions of the Code and that the required fees have been paid, then the applicant shall be issued the appropriate permit.

Approval of a plan and/or the issuance of a permit shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this Code or of other laws. Plans or permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code or of other laws are not valid. See Article 82 for requirements regarding plans, permits and fees.

(Ord. 2002-0077 § 7, 2002; Ord. 92-0004 § 5, 1992.)

The Chief Electrical Inspector shall collect such fees as are required by this Code and issue receipts therefor, copies of which shall be maintained as a record in the office of the Chief Electrical Inspector. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall transfer all fees collected to the proper authority provided by law to receive such funds.

(Ord. 2002-0077 § 8, 2002.)

All construction or work for which a permit is required by this Code shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Chief Electrical Inspector. See Article 82 for inspection requirements.

Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this Code or other laws. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code or other laws shall not be valid, except insofar as the work therein is lawful.

It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Neither the Chief Electrical Inspector nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for any expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.

(Ord. 92-0004 § 6, 1992.)

The Chief Electrical Inspector may investigate any construction or work regulated by this Code, and issue such notices and orders as provided in Sections 81-11, 81-12 and 81-13.

(Ord. 92-0004 § 8, 1992.)

The Chief Electrical Inspector shall keep records of all the essential transactions of the office of the Chief Electrical Inspector. One set of approved plans shall be retained by the Building Official for a period of not less than 90 days from date of completion of the work covered therein.

(Ord. 2002-0077 § 10, 2002; Ord. 92-0004 § 9, 1992.)

(a)

Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of or perform any duty imposed by this Code or other applicable law, or whenever the Chief Electrical Inspector or an authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition which makes such building or premises hazardous, unsafe or dangerous for any reasons specified in this Code or other similar law, the Chief Electrical Inspector or an authorized representative hereby is authorized to enter such property at any reasonable time and to inspect the same and perform any duty imposed upon the Chief Electrical Inspector by this Code or other applicable law; provided that:

(1)

if such property is occupied, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and request entry explaining the reasons therefor; and

(2)

if such property is unoccupied, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the property and request entry, explaining the reasons therefor.

If such entry cannot be obtained because the owner or other person having charge or control of the property cannot be found after due diligence, or if entry is refused, the Chief Electrical Inspector or an authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect the property.

(b)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Chief Electrical Inspector or an authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that the building or premises is so hazardous, unsafe or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard the public health or safety, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect such property, and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such inspection, whether such property is occupied or unoccupied and whether or not permission to inspect has been obtained. If the property is occupied, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall first present credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining the reasons therefor and the purpose of the inspection.

(c)

"Authorized representative" shall include the officers named in Section 80-5 of this Code and their authorized inspection personnel.

(d)

No person shall fail or refuse, after proper demand has been made upon such person as provided in this subsection, to promptly permit the Chief Electrical Inspector or an authorized representative to make any inspection provided for by Subdivision (b) of this subsection. Any person violating this subdivision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2002-0077 § 11, 2002.)

The Chief Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to make, at such times and as often as in his discretion it may seem necessary, thorough reinspection of the installation in or on any building, structure or premises of all electrical

wiring, electrical devices and electrical material now installed or that may hereafter be installed.

When the installation of any such wiring, device or material is found to be in violation of this Code, the person, firm, corporation or governmental agency owning, using or operating the same shall be notified in writing and shall make the necessary repairs or changes required to place such wiring, device or material in compliance with this Code and to have such work completed within a period of 10 days after such notice, or within such other reasonable period specified by the Chief Electrical Inspector in said notice, and shall pay such fees as are required by this Code.

The Chief Electrical Inspector is hereby empowered to disconnect or to order in writing the discontinuance of electrical service to wiring, devices or materials found to be dangerous and a hazard to life, health and property until the installation of such wiring device or material has been made safe as directed by the Chief Electrical Inspector.

Any person, firm, corporation, public utility, political subdivision or governmental agency ordered to discontinue such electrical service shall do so within 24 hours after the receipt of such written notice, and shall not reconnect such service or allow or cause the same to be reconnected until notified to do so by the Chief Electrical Inspector. Refusal or failure or neglect to comply with any such notice or order shall be considered by the Chief Electrical Inspector a violation of this Code. The Chief Electrical Inspector may then institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct or abate the refusal to comply with any such notice or order.

Whenever any work regulated by this Code is being done contrary to the provisions thereof, or other pertinent laws or ordinances, the Chief Electrical Inspector may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in doing or causing such work to be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Chief Electrical Inspector to proceed with the work.

(Ord. 2002-0077 § 12, 2002.)