Chapter 15.16 — ELECTRICAL CODE

This chapter shall be known as the Electrical Code of the City of Norwalk and shall be cited as the Electrical Code.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Except as hereinafter provided, the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association is hereby adopted by reference and is incorporated herein as though fully set forth herein and shall constitute the Electrical Code of the City. A copy of the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, has been deposited in the office of the Building Official and shall be, at all times, maintained by the Building Official for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 13-1649 § 7; Ord. 16-1683 § 5; Ord. 19-1709 § 5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 5; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)

The purpose of this Code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard the public's safety and welfare by regulating the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, use, location, operation and maintenance of electrical systems, equipment and appliances as specifically set forth herein. Consistent with this purpose, the provisions of this Code are intended and always have been intended to confer a benefit on the community as a whole and are not intended to establish a duty of care toward any particular person.

This Code shall not be construed to hold the City or any officer, employee or agent thereof responsible for any damage to persons or property by reason of any inspection authorized herein or by reason of the issuance or non-issuance of any permit authorized herein, and/or for any action or omission in connection with the application and/or enforcement of this Code. By adopting the provisions of this Code, the City does not intend to impose on itself, its employees or agents any mandatory duties of care toward persons and property within its jurisdiction so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages.

This section is declaratory of existing law and is not to be construed as suggesting that such was not the purpose and intent of previous Code adoptions. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is, for any reason, held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The City Council of the City of Norwalk hereby declares that it would have passed the ordinance codified in this chapter, and each section, subsection, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared invalid.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.16.050

§ 15.16.090

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.16.020, the Electrical Code is hereby amended as follows:

A. Articles 89.108.4 through 89.108.10 are hereby deleted. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 13-1649 § 7; Ord. 16-1683 § 5; Ord. 19-1709 § 5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 5; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.16.060, whenever the following terms are used in the Electrical Code or this section, each term shall be deemed and construed to have the following meaning:

"Approved" means acceptable to the Building Official.

"City" means the City of Norwalk.

"Building Department" means the Building and Safety Division.

"Maintenance Electrician" means a person holding a valid Certificate of Registration as Maintenance Electrician issued by the City of Los Angeles or County of Los Angeles.

"Special Inspector" means a person holding a valid Certificate of Registration as Special Inspector issued by the City of Los Angeles or County of Los Angeles or other recognized accreditation agency.

"Special permission" is the written consent of the Building Official. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The Building Official shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Code in a manner consistent with the intent thereof.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A person, whether acting as principal, servant, agent or employee, shall not do or cause or permit to be done any electrical work regulated by this Code without first securing a permit authorizing such work.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No person shall install, alter, reconstruct or repair any electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment, within or on any building, structure or premises without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Building Official, except as follows:

• A. Minor repair works such as the replacement of lamps, switches, receptacle devices, sockets, or the connection of portable motor and appliances to suitable receptacles that have been permanently installed under a previous permit.

• B. The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.16.090

§ 15.16.120

• C. The repair of fixed motors, transformers, apparatus, or appliances in existing approved equipment.

• D. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.

• E. Low-energy power, control, and signal circuits that are not an integral part of an appliance and in which the power is limited from a source having a rated output of not more than 30 volts and 1,000 volt-amperes.

• F. Temporary Christmas decorative lighting not to exceed 90 days.

• G. The installation of temporary wiring for testing or experimental purposes within suitable facilities.

• H. Replacement of over-current devices of the same type and the same rating.

• I. Portable generators, motors, appliances, tools, power outlets, and other portable equipment connected by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug.

• J. Private telephone, intercom, sound and communication systems, provided, however, that a permit shall be obtained for the power supplies required by the above systems.

• Notwithstanding the foregoing, all electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with the provisions of this Code.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Each application for electrical permit shall be accompanied by plans, specifications, diagrams or calculations, as required by the Building Official. When a plan checking fee or other fees are required by this Code or any related ordinance or statute, such fees shall be collected at the time plans are filed. Plans may be filed by a registered electrical engineer, licensed contractor, maintenance electrician, government representative, or authorized owner's representative. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The application, plans and specifications filed as required, shall be checked by the Building Official, and if found to be in conformity with the requirements of this Code and all other laws or ordinances applicable thereto, the Building Official shall, upon receipt of the required fee, issue a permit therefor.

The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.16.120

§ 15.16.130

construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this Code or of any other laws or ordinances. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances shall be valid.

The issuance of a permit based on plans and specifications shall not prevent the Building Official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans and specifications, or from preventing construction being carried on thereunder when in violation of this Code or of any other laws and ordinances.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Application for an electrical permit shall describe the work to be performed on the form provided, and shall give the location either by street and house number, by lot, block and tract, or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed work. A separate application shall be required for each building or structure.

The applicant for electrical permits for work exceeding $200 in value shall be a licensed contractor, registered maintenance electrician, homeowner or authorized government representative.

Exception: If the Building Official determines that there is an urgent necessity, he or she may, in his or her discretion, consider an application electrical permit prepared by persons other than those specified above. The Building Official may refuse to issue a permit for temporary or permanent service when there is no apparent legally permitted use for the service. In determining whether a proposed use is legally permitted, the Building Official may consider not just the provisions of the Electrical Code but all applicable statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations.

• A. Licensed Contractor. A licensed contractor is a person who is engaged in the business of installing or repairing electrical wiring or equipment or who does, or who holds himself or herself out as willing to do personally or through his or her employees any work or services in connection with the installation, alteration or repair of any electrical wiring or equipment or part thereof, and who possesses an appropriate contractor's license pursuant to Chapter 9, Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California when such license includes within its classification limitations the activities set forth on the application for permit and entitles the licensee to perform personally or through his or her employees all such activities without personal local qualifications or registration.

A permit may be issued to a firm, partnership or corporation, any officer or member of which is a licensed contractor, in the event that all construction or work is done under the direct personal supervision of such officer or member.

• B. Registered Maintenance Electrician. A Registered Maintenance Electrician is a person possessing a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the County of Los Angeles.

• C. Homeowner. A homeowner is the owner of a single-family residence, including common accessory and minor poultry, animal or agricultural buildings. A permit may be issued to such homeowner for his or her principal place of residence and appurtenances thereto, provided that work authorized under any such permit shall be done by the person to whom the permit is issued, or by a member of his or her immediate family.

Should any provision of subsections A, B or C be violated, the permit shall be subject to

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City of Norwalk, CA § 15.16.130

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.16.160

immediate cancellation. This permit cancellation is in addition to any other enforcement provisions or penalties provided for in this Code.

• D. Government Representative. A government representative is a person who is employed by and who has been authorized by a government agency to supervise or control electrical work on the premises of such agency.

• E. Special Permission. When there appears to the Building Official an urgent necessity, an electrical permit may be issued to other persons by special permission.

Expiration. Applications for permits for which no permit is issued within 180 days of application shall expire by limitation. Plans and specifications previously submitted may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the Building Official. The Building Official may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding 180 days beyond the initial 180 day limit upon written request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken and upon the payment of an extension fee equal to 25% of the plan check fee. No permit application shall be extended more than once.

Once an application and any extension thereof have expired, the applicant shall resubmit plans and specifications and pay a new plan checking or review fee.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The fees to be paid as a condition of the issuance of any permit authorized under the provisions of this section shall be those which the Norwalk City Council may from time to time adopt by resolution.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

All construction or work for which a permit is required by this Code shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Building Official.

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 Building Official nor the City of Norwalk shall be liable for any expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every permit issued under the provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 12 months from the date of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced, for a period of 180 days or more. Before such work can be commenced or recommenced, a new permit shall first be obtained and the fee therefor shall be

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.16.160

§ 15.16.180

one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications of such work; and provided, further, that the new permit is obtained no later than one year from the date of the expired permit, or the duration of suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.

Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of time within which work may commence under that permit. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time for periods not more than 180 days each. The extensions shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. The fee as established by resolution of the City Council shall be paid for each permit extension.

In order to renew a permit after expiration, except as provided for above, the permittee shall pay the fee as established by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 22-1738 § 5; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)

The Building Official shall keep records of all the essential transactions of the office of the Building Official. 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 on residential construction. Plans and inspection records for all other electrical work shall be retained for the life of the building or structure, or as otherwise required by State law. Fees for the retention of such records shall be as established by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• 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 Building Official 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 of the reasons specified in this Code or other similar law, the Building Official 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 Building Official by this Code or other applicable law, provided that:

  1. If such property is occupied, the Building Official shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and request entry explaining the reasons thereof;

  2. If such property is unoccupied, the Building Official 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;

  3. 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 Building Official 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 Building Official 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 Building Official shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect such property, and

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City of Norwalk, CA § 15.16.180

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.16.220

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 Building Official shall first present credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining the reasons therefor and the purpose of the inspection.

• C. No person shall fail or refuse, after proper demand has been made upon such person as provided in this subsection, to promptly permit the Building Official or an authorized representative to make any inspection provided for by subsection B of this section. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

• (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The Building Official is hereby authorized and empowered to make, at such times and as often as in his or her 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 thereafter 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 Building Official in said notice, and shall pay such fees as are required by this Code. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The Building Official 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 Building Official.

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 Building Official. Refusal or failure or neglect to comply with any such notice or order shall be considered by the Building Official a violation of this Code. The Building Official may then institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct or abate the refusal to comply with any such notice or order. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Whenever any work regulated by this Code is being done contrary to the provisions thereof, or other pertinent laws or ordinances, the Building Official 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 Building Official to proceed with the work.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.16.220

§ 15.16.220

• A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any of the provisions of the Electrical Code. Each person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of the Electrical Code shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion thereof during which such violation is committed, continued or permitted and each such offense shall be punishable by a fine of not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months or by both such fine and imprisonment.

• B. In addition to the penalty set forth in subsection A of this section any person who shall commence any electrical work for which a permit is required without first having obtained a permit therefor shall, if subsequently permitted to obtain a permit, pay double the permit cost fixed by resolution of the City Council for such work. This provision (double fee) shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Building Official that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefor before the commencement of work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such a permit, a double permit fee as herein provided shall be charged.

• (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA