A. Required: Any owner or authorized agent who intends to repair, install, add, alter, remove, convert, or replace any electrical system or part thereof, of which is regulated by this electrical code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall not do so without first securing a permit from the community development department.
Exceptions:
1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Replacement of 120 volt lighting fixtures, receptacles, or switches.
3. Single phase overcurrent protection devices of the same capacity and location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
B. Issuance: After proper application on forms provided by the community development department, permits shall be issued in the name of the property owner or of a firm or corporation registered with the Iowa Division of Labor Services, according to their rules and standards. The property owner or authorized representative of the firm or corporation named on the registration shall sign all applications for permits. Permits are not transferable. No permits shall be issued to any person, firm, or corporation who has fees outstanding or who has outstanding violations of any ordinance of the city.
C. Fees: There shall be a fee paid for the issuance of permits. Permit fees and fees for other inspections shall be set forth in a fee schedule established and approved from time to time by the city council. Fees on all buildings or structures constructed by any unit of the government or nonprofit organization may be waived by the city council. No fees shall be collected on buildings or structures constructed by or for the city.
D. Expiration:
1. 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 ninety (90) days from the date of issuance 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 sixty (60) days. Before such work can be commenced, a new permit shall be first obtained, and a fee therefore shall be one-half (½) of the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one hundred twenty (120) days.
2. All permits shall expire after three hundred sixty five (365) days unless an extension is requested in writing to the Construction Services Administrator fourteen (14) days prior to expiration of said permit. The Construction Services Administrator may refuse any extension, but shall do so in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of the extension request.
3. In addition, any time work is suspended or abandoned for more than ten (10) days, the permit shall expire due to neglect if the site is not properly secured, including:
a. Removal of all construction debris, materials, weeds, etc., that makes the area unsightly and creates a public nuisance.
b. A fence to protect any excavation, including open basement foundations, in order to prevent the creation of an attractive nuisance in the neighborhood.
c. Ground cover, silt fencing, etc., shall be provided to help prevent erosion and damage to surrounding properties. Consideration may be given to proximity of the construction site, as described in chapter 11 of this title.
E. Revocation: Any permit required by the provisions of this code may be summarily revoked by the Construction Services Administrator upon the violation of any provision of this code.
F. Outstanding Permits: If a permit is outstanding on the effective date hereof, the provisions of this chapter and the National Electrical Code, adopted hereby, shall apply to the work authorized by such permit, except to the extent that the Construction Services Administrator shall determine that the application of such provisions to said work would be unreasonable. The burden shall be upon the holder of such permit to show the unreasonableness of such provisions.
G. Work Without Permit: If any repairs, additions, alterations, conversions, or demolitions to any electrical system, which is regulated by this code, the work having been completed without first obtaining a permit, the owner shall have the responsibility to certify that the work has been completed in accordance with the applicable codes. The Construction Services Administrator shall determine the appropriate level of special inspection necessary to ensure that the work was completed in accordance with the applicable codes. Special inspections shall be performed by an approved electrical inspector who is qualified and/or licensed to inspect work similar to that which is being performed. (Ord. 1100, 4-8-2021)