Santa Ana Municipal Code § 8-667 Adoption by reference

There is adopted by the city that certain code known as the California Electrical Code 2025 Edition and the administrative provisions set forth herein, (hereinafter referred to in this article as the "Electrical Code") together with subsequent supplements, amendments, or editions, which shall become effective, adopted, and incorporated by reference into this Code on the date specified by the state building standards commission, unless specifically adopted prior to that date, of which not less than one (1) copy of said Code has been and is now on file in the office of the city clerk of the city pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 18942(d)(1) and are made available for public inspection. The electrical code is adopted and incorporated by reference as though fully set forth at length herein as provided for in section 419 of the Charter of the city, except for the changes to the electrical code set forth in this chapter of this code that specifically amend the electrical code. Any previously enacted, unrepealed provision of this Code that amended a pre-2025 edition of the "Electrical Code" shall also be construed as amending the applicable provision of the 2025 or later edition of the electrical code. The electrical code as amended, together with all other provisions of this article, shall be known as the city electrical code.

Annex which are adopted pursuant to this section are as follows:

Informative Annex A, Product Safety Standards

(Code 1952, § 8300; Ord. No. NS-493, § 1, 1-16-61; Ord. No. NS-793, § 2, 4-19-65; Ord. No. NS-1006, § 31A, 4-6-70; Ord. No. NS-1416, § 2, 6-27-78; Ord. No. NS-1579, § 1, 4-20-81; Ord. No. NS-1811, § 1, 11-18-85; Ord. No. NS-1903, § 1, 6-1-87; Ord. No. NS-2153, § 1, 1-6-92; Ord. No. NS-2182, § 21, 1-19-93; Ord. No. NS-2273, § 31, 12-18-95; Ord. No. NS-2522, § 40, 2-3-03; Ord. No. NS-2760, § 41, 12-3-07; Ord. No. NS-2810, § 40, 11-15-10; Ord. No. NS-2851, § 31, 11-18-13; Ord. No. NS-2905, § 8, 12-6-16; Ord. No. NS-2981, § 8, 12-17-19; Ord. No. NS-3032, § 7, 12-20-22; Ord. No. NS-3088, § 9, 1-20-26)

Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction, or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 41, 2-3-03)

For the purpose of these provisions, certain terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section. Where terms are not defined, they shall have their ordinarily accepted meanings within the context with which they are used. Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, copyright 1986, shall be considered as providing ordinarily accepted meanings. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and the feminine the masculine.

Approved, as to materials, equipment and method of construction, refers to approval by the building official as the result of investigation and tests conducted by the building official, or by reason of accepted principles or tests by recognized authorities, technical or scientific organizations.

Approved agency is an established and recognized agency regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing inspection services, when the agency has been approved by the building official.

Chief electrical inspector shall be the person providing expertise for the building official in the area of electrical regulations.

Code enforcement agency is the department, division or agency of this jurisdiction charged with the function of code enforcement and shall be under the administration and operational control of the building official.

Firewall is the same as an area separation wall as used in the building code.

Listed and listing are terms referring to equipment and materials which are shown in a list published by an approved testing agency, qualified and equipped for experimental testing and maintaining an adequate periodic inspection of current productions and which listing states that the material or equipment complies with accepted national standards which are approved or standards which have been evaluated for conformity with approved standards.

Multiple occupancy building is a building having more than one tenant and may be of single or mixed-use groups as classified by the building code.

Occupancy is the purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 42, 2-3-03)

(a) Additions, alterations or repairs. Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to an electrical system and equipment without requiring the existing electrical system and equipment to comply with all the requirements of this Code, provided the addition, alteration or repair conforms to that required for a new electrical system and equipment and provided further that no hazard to life, health or safety will be created by such additions, alterations or repairs.

(b) Existing installations. Electrical systems and equipment lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this Code may have their use, maintenance or repair continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, health or property has been created by such electrical system and equipment.

(c) Changes in building occupancy. Electrical systems and equipment which are a part of any building or structure undergoing a change in use or occupancy, as defined in the building code, shall comply with the requirements of this Code which are applicable to the new use or occupancy.

(d) Maintenance. All electrical systems and equipment, both existing and new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a proper operating condition in accordance with the original design and in a safe and hazard-free condition. All devices or safeguards, which are required by this Code, shall be maintained in conformance with this Code. The owner or designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of the electrical system. To determine compliance with this subsection, the building official may cause any electrical system to be reinspected.

(e) Moved building. Electrical systems and equipment which are a part of buildings or structures moved into or within this jurisdiction shall comply with the provisions of this Code for new installations.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 43, 2-3-03)

The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this Code, provided any alternate has been approved and its use authorized by the building official.

The building official may approve any alternate, provided that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of this Code and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Code in suitability, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

The building official shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims regarding the use of alternates. The details of an action granting approval of an alternate shall be recorded and entered in the files of the code enforcement agency.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 44, 2-3-03)

Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this Code, the building official may grant modifications for individual cases, provided that a special individual reason makes the strict letter of this Code impractical and the modification is in conformity with the intent and purpose of this Code, and that such modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety requirements. The details of actions granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of the code enforcement agency.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 45, 2-3-03)

(a) Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with any of the provisions of this code or evidence that materials or construction do not conform to the requirements of this code, the building official may require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to this jurisdiction.

(b) Test methods shall be as specified by this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods for the proposed alternate, the building official shall determine test procedures.

(c) All tests shall be made by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for the retention of public records.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 46, 2-3-03)

(a) General. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this Code. For such purposes, the building official shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.

(b) Deputies. In accordance with prescribed procedures and with the approval of the appointing authority, the building official may appoint a chief electrical inspector and other related technical officers and inspectors and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time.

(c) Right of entry. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this Code, or whenever the building official or an authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a building or upon a premises a condition or code violation which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official or an authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official by such codes, provided that if such building or premises be occupied, the building official shall first present proper credentials or request entry. If such building or premises in unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry were refused, the building official or an authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

When the building official or an authorized representative shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, an owner or occupant or other persons having charge, care or control of the building or premises shall not fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the building official or authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this Code.

(d) Stop orders. Whenever work is being done contrary to the provisions of this Code, the building official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on persons engaged in the doing or causing such work to be done, and such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the building official to proceed with the work.

(e) Authority to disconnect utilities in emergencies. The building official or authorized representative shall have the authority to disconnect electric power or energy service supplied to the building, structure or building service equipment therein regulated by this code in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property. The building official shall whenever possible notify the serving utility, the owner and occupant of the building, structure or electrical system or equipment of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action, and shall notify the serving utility, owner and occupant of the building, structure or building service equipment, in writing, of the disconnection immediately thereafter.

(f) Authority to condemn electrical system and equipment. Whenever the building official ascertains that an electrical system or equipment regulated in this code has become hazardous to life, health or property, the building official shall order in writing that such electrical system or equipment either be removed or restored to safe condition, whichever is appropriate. The written notice itself shall fix a time limit for compliance with such order. Persons shall not use or maintain defective electrical system or equipment after receiving notice.

When equipment or an installation is to be disconnected, a written notice of such disconnection and causes thereof shall be given within twenty-four (24) hours of the order to disconnect to the serving utility, the owner and occupants of the building, structure or premises.

When an electrical system or equipment is maintained in violation of this Code and in violation of a notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this section, the building official shall institute appropriate action to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate the violation.

(g) Connection after order to disconnect. persons shall not make connections from an energy or power supply nor supply power to an electrical system or equipment which has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the building official or the use of which has been ordered to be discontinued by the building official until the building official authorizes the reconnection and use of the electrical system or equipment.

This Code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of a person owning, operating or controlling any building, structure or building service equipment therein for any damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the code enforcement agency or its parent jurisdiction be held as assuming such liability by reason of the inspections authorized by this Code or approvals issued under this code.

(h) Reserved.

(i) Cooperation of other officials and officers. The building official may request, and shall receive so far as is required in the discharge of duties, the assistance and cooperation of other officials of this jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 47, 2-3-03)

Electrical systems or equipment regulated by this code which are unsafe, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life are, for the purpose of this section, unsafe. Use of electrical systems or equipment regulated by this code constituting a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster, damage or abandonment is, for the purpose of this section, an unsafe use.

Unsafe electrical systems or equipment are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings or an alternate procedure as may be adopted by this jurisdiction. As an alternative, the building official or other employee or official of this jurisdiction as designated by the governing body may institute other appropriate action to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate the violation.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 48, 2-3-03)

(a) Except as specified in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to install, alter, repair, move, convert or maintain any electrical equipment regulated by this code, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a separate permit for each building or structure, each office suite, and each unit in a commercial or industrial building, from the building official.

(b) Exempt work. An electrical permit shall not be required for the following:

(1) Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug and to be connected to an approved receptacle when the cord or cable is permitted by this Code.

(2) Residential temporary decorative lighting.

(3) Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contactor or control device.

(4) Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets thereof.

(5) Repair or replacement of any over current device of the required capacity in the same location.

(6) Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems.

(7) Taping joints.

(8) Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.

(9) The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.

(10) A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment or the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of electrical energy or in the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence by a public or private utility in the exercise of its function as a serving utility.

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

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 49, 2-3-03)

(a) To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application thereof in writing on a form furnished by the code enforcement agency for that purpose. Every such application shall:

(1) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.

(2) Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address, or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.

(3) Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.

(4) Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and other data as required in subsection (b).

(5) Be signed by permittee, or authorized agent.

(6) Give such other data and information as may be required by the building official.

(b) Plans, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data shall be submitted in one (1) or more sets with each application for a permit. The building official may require plans, computations, and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such. The building official may waive the submission of plans, calculations, etc., if the building official finds that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this Code.

(c) Plans and specifications shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this Code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Plans for buildings more than two (2) stories in height of other than groups R, division 3 and M occupancies shall indicate how required structural and fire-resistive integrity will be maintained where a penetration will be made for electrical and communication conduits, pipes and similar systems.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 50, 2-3-03)

(a) Issuance. The application, plans and specifications, and other data, filed by an applicant for permit shall be reviewed by the building official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with any applicable laws under their jurisdiction. If the building official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this Code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in the city fee resolution have been paid, the building official shall, therefore, issue a permit to the applicant.

When the building official issues a permit, the plans and specifications shall be endorsed in writing or stamped "APPROVED." Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorizations from the building official, and all work regulated by this Code shall be done in accordance with the approved plans.

The building official may issue a permit for the construction of part of an electrical system before the entire plans and specifications for the whole system have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this Code. The holders of such permits shall proceed at their own risk without assurance that the permit for the entire building, structure, or building service will be granted.

(b) Retention of plans. One (1) set of approved plans, specifications, and computations shall be retained by the building official until final approval of the work covered therein. One (1) set of approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant and shall be kept on the site of the building or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 51, 2-3-03)

The fee for each electrical permit shall be as set forth in the miscellaneous fee resolution of the city.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 52, 2-3-03)

(a) General. All electrical systems and equipment for which a permit is required by this Code shall be subject to inspection by the building official, and the electrical system shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official.

It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the electrical system to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Neither the building official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for the expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to permit inspection. When the installation of an electrical system and equipment is complete, an additional and final inspection shall be made. Electrical systems and equipment regulated by this Code shall not be connected to the energy source until authorized 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 of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel provisions of this Code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

(b) Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the building official that such work is ready for inspection. The building official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one (1) working day before such inspection is desired. Such request may be in writing or by telephone at the option of the building official.

It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections required by this Code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.

(c) Operation of electrical equipment. The requirements of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the operation of any electrical system or equipment installed to replace existing equipment. The request for inspection of such equipment must have been filed with the building official not more than forty-eight (48) hours after such replacement work is completed and before any portion of such electrical system is concealed by any permanent portion of the building.

(d) Other inspections. In addition to the called inspections required by this Code, the building official may make or require other inspections of any work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Code and other laws that are enforced by the code enforcement agency.

(e) Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.

This provision is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this Code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.

Reinspection fees may be assessed when the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official.

To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application thereof in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose, and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with Table No. 3-A.

In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 53, 2-3-03)

(a) Energy connections. An electrical system or equipment regulated by this Code for which a permit is required shall not be connected to a source of energy or power until approved by the building official.

(b) Temporary connections. The building official may authorize the temporary connection of the electrical system or equipment to the source of energy or power for the purpose of testing the equipment, or for use under a temporary certificate of occupancy.

(Ord. No. NS-2522, § 54, 2-3-03)