(A) Creation. Pursuant to § 1 of Ordinance 272.1 adopted March 11, 1980, the Office of County Electrical Inspector was created pursuant to KRS Ch. 198B, and is by this section hereby reaffirmed. The Fiscal Court may appoint an individual as the County Electrical Inspector or may contract with the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC) for electrical inspector services. In the event the county contracts with the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Inspector provided by OMPC shall have the same authority as the County Electrical Inspector provided in this section.
(B) Purpose and scope.
(1) The purpose of this section is to reduce the risk of personal injury and fire hazards stemming from substandard electrical work. The requirements set out in this section are intended to promote public safety and quality workmanship by providing minimum standards for electrical installations within the county, but outside the corporate limits of the City of Owensboro, and the City of Whitesville.
(2) This section shall apply to all electrical wiring and electrical equipment, used, installed, or maintained in the county, but outside the corporate limits of the City of Owensboro, and the City of Whitesville, for the utilization of electricity supplied for light, heat, or power.
(C) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COMMITTEE. The Electrical Advisory Committee as described in KRS 227.530.
DEPARTMENT. The Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction.
ELECTRICAL. The installation, alteration, or repair of wires and conduits for the purpose of transmitting electricity, and the installation of fixtures and equipment in connection therewith.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. Any licensed individual, partnership, or corporation that is licensed to engage in, offers to engage in, or advertises or holds itself out to be qualified to engage in designing, planning, superintending, contracting of, or assuming responsibility for the installation, alteration, or repair of any electrical wiring used for the purpose of furnishing heat, light, or power and employs electrical workers to engage in this practice. If the ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR is not a master electrician, the ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR shall employ at least one full-time master electrician; however, no master electrician shall act in this capacity for more than one ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.
ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR. Any person certified by the Commissioner of Housing, Buildings, and Construction pursuant to KRS 227.489 who, for compensation, inspects the construction and installation of electrical conductors, fittings, devices, and fixtures for light, heat, or power service equipment to ascertain the compliance with the National Electrical Code incorporated in the Uniform Commonwealth Building Code promulgated pursuant to KRS 198B.050 or the standards of safety of the commonwealth.
ELECTRICIAN. Any person licensed by the Department who is employed by an electrical contractor and is engaged in the construction, alteration, or repair of any electrical wiring used for the purpose of furnishing heat, light, or power.
HOMEOWNER. An owner and on-site resident of a single-family dwelling.
MASTER ELECTRICIAN. Any individual licensed to assume responsibility for the charge, supervision, or direction of an electrician engaged in the construction, installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring used to furnish heat, light, or power.
(D) Adoption of National Electrical Code. All installations, construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical wiring, appliances, and devices in and about buildings and on private or public property, if not otherwise specifically covered in this division (D), shall be installed, constructed, maintained, operated, and supplied in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth in the edition of the National Electrical Code most recently adopted by the Commonwealth Department of Housing, Building, and Construction, a copy of which Code is on file in the offices of the County Clerk and the Electrical Inspector and which Code is hereby adopted by the county and incorporated in this section by reference.
(E) Electrical Inspector duties.
(1) (a) The provisions of this division (E) shall be administered by the County Electrical Inspector, who shall issue permits for and inspect all electrical wires, conduits, raceways, and apparatus, and look after the enforcement of the laws, rules, and regulations relating to the use of public streets for electrical wires, supports, and apparatus in public and private buildings.
(b) The Electrical Inspector shall answer any relevant questions concerning, or give any desired information with respect to, the meaning of, intent or application for this division (E); however, he or she cannot layout work or act in the capacity of a consulting engineer for inexperienced contractors, mechanics, or owners.
(2) The Electrical Inspector shall keep, or cause to be kept, a full and complete daily record of all work permits issued and inspections made.
(F) Inspection.
(1) All electrical work and installation of electrical equipment and conductors covered by this division (F) shall be inspected by the Electrical Inspector. No work shall be concealed unless approved by the Electrical Inspector and tagged with a signed red “rough-in” inspection sticker.
(2) Failure by the Electrical Inspector to make the requested “rough-in” inspection within three working days shall be considered an approval to conceal such electrical work. When installation, repair, or alterations of electrical wiring or equipment have been completed, the Electrical Inspector shall be notified, and an inspection shall be made within three working days. If the Electrical Inspector refuses to approve any electrical installation, he or she shall notify the installer or contractor within three days. Such notice shall state the name of the ordinance and section of the Electrical Code that has been violated. The electrical work in violation shall be corrected, removed, or an appeal filed in accordance with division (S) below within 30 days from the date the inspection was made. Failure to timely correct violations not appealed may subject the installer or contractor liable to the penalties set forth in KRS 198B.990 as provided by the Commonwealth Building Code.
(G) Reinspection. The Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized to reinspect all wiring, appliances, devices, fixtures, and equipment covered by this division (G). When the installation of any such wiring, appliance, device, fixture, or equipment is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the person owning, using, or operating the same shall be notified to make the necessary repairs or changes required to place such wiring, appliance, device, fixture, or equipment in a safe condition, and shall have such work completed within ten days after notification or within such further reasonable time as may, upon request, be prescribed. All electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment within or attached to any building within the area of the county subject to this division (G) may be systematically reinspected every two years. It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder or interfere with the Electrical Inspector in the discharge of his or her duties.
(H) Power to disconnect service. The Electrical Inspector is authorized to disconnect or order the discontinuance of electrical service to such conductors or apparatus found to be in an unsafe or hazardous condition that poses an imminent threat to life or property, or to have been installed without a permit, or not in accordance with this division (H). He or she shall thereupon post a written notice in a conspicuous place stating the reason why the conductors or apparatus have been disconnected, and it shall be unlawful for any person to remove the notice of disconnection or to reconnect such defective conductors or apparatus until the same have been installed in a safe and secure condition and have been approved for use by the Electrical Inspector.
(I) Certificate of compliance. The Electrical Inspector shall issue a certificate of compliance when the electrical installation is completed and found to comply with this section. No certificate shall be issued on any incomplete work.
(J) Right of access to building. The Electrical Inspector shall have the right, during reasonable hours, upon the showing of proper credentials, to enter any building and to discharge his or her official duties or for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the installation of any electrical device or any electrical material contained therein, in accordance with the Commonwealth Building Code Administration, § 113.4.
(K) Permits required and fees.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, or repair any electrical work covered by this division (K) without first obtaining a permit from the Electrical Inspector. If the cost of an electric installation is less than $200, a permit shall be required but no fee shall be charged. The life of a permit may be extended, if necessary, upon application, but all permits shall be void within 60 days if the work is not begun within that time. If work for which a permit is required commences prior to obtaining a permit, the fee hereinafter provided shall be double, but payment of such double fee shall not relieve any person from full compliance with the requirements of this division (K) in the execution of the work performed or any other penalties prescribed. Permits shall be issued only to a contractor who has a valid electrical contractor’s license issued by the commonwealth, except those issued to the county, homeowners, or holders of a limited license, issued by the commonwealth. Special one-time permits may be issued to others for the installation of specialized systems.
(2) Electrical construction permit fees are hereby established as follows:
(a) Single-family residential: $75 minimum or $0.05 per square foot, whichever is greater;
(b) Multi-family residential: $75 first unit, plus $10 for each additional unit;
(c) Commercial: 1.5% of electrical contract with a $75 minimum;
(d) Industrial: 1.5% of electrical contract with a $75 minimum;
(e) All electrical service change out: $35;
(f) All mobile home service pole installations: $35;
(g) Temporary service poles: $20; and
(h) Additional trips: $15.
(3) For the purpose of electrical permit fees, each condominium unit shall be considered as single-family residential.
(L) Minor repairs accepted. Permits and inspection fees shall not be required for minor repair work, such as repairing flush or snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, taping bare joints, and repairing drop cords, nor for experimental electrical work of a temporary nature in testing laboratories in electrical shops, educational institutions, and the like.
(M) Permit to do own work. A permit to perform electrical work in or about the home may be issued to a homeowner; provided, that all work is performed by homeowner. The Electrical Inspector, however, shall not issue such permits unless the person who is to perform the work is named in the permit and appears before the Electrical Inspector and shows by answering such questions as may be asked that said person has sufficient knowledge to properly perform such work. If it is apparent from the character of the work performed that the homeowner is not competent to perform the work under any permit issued, the Electrical Inspector may require such portion of the work in violation to be changed, altered, or repaired by a licensed electrical contractor at the expense of the homeowner. A permit shall be issued without fee to such electrical contractor and the permit to the homeowner shall be canceled.
(N) Permits for decorative lighting. Permits for temporary installations for indoor or outdoor decorative lighting in public buildings or areas shall be issued only when permission has been granted as follows.
(1) During festivals, fairs, conventions, and similar community events, the Electrical Inspector may grant a special permit for a period not exceeding ten days for the installation of approved systems of decorative lighting over roadways or sidewalk areas. If an extension of time is desired, for not more than 20 days, such permit may be renewed at the discretion of the Electrical Inspector. A special permit from the Electrical Inspector shall be required for any such installation to be maintained for a period of more than 30 days.
(2) A special permit from the Electrical Inspector shall be obtained before any system of decorative lighting can be installed over any roadway or sidewalk area when installed at a time when no festival, fair, convention, or the like is in progress.
(O) Partial or working permit. When the exact amount of work to be done under any permit cannot be definitely determined at the time of application for a permit, the Electrical Inspector may issue a partial or working permit.
(P) Filing of drawings and specifications. Every person making application for any permit to do electrical work under this division (P) may be required by the Electrical Inspector to file a set of plans and specifications in sufficient detail to enable the Electrical Inspector to determine if the work will be in compliance with the rules, regulations, and provisions of this division (P). A key to the symbols used shall accompany all plans. If mains, feeders, branches, and distributing panels are shown on the plans, they shall be designated by letters or numbers.
(Q) Necessary of approval. It shall be unlawful for any person to make any electrical connection to any electrical wiring or equipment until approval has been given by the Electrical Inspector. The Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized to disconnect any electrical installation or equipment which has been connected before the approval for service has been given. He or she shall thereupon attach a written notice which shall state that the wiring or equipment has been disconnected by the Electrical Inspector. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove such notice or reconnect the wiring before the same has been approved by the Electrical Inspector.
(R) Failure to correct defects. The Electrical Inspector is further authorized to deny the issuance of a permit to any person licensed under the provisions of this division (R) who fails to correct any defect, error, or deficiency in any electrical work installed by him or her until such time as such defects, errors, and deficiencies are corrected. It shall be unlawful to perform any electrical work, other than correcting such deficiencies, during the period additional permits are being denied.
(S) Appeal from decision of Electrical Inspector. Any person aggrieved by any official decision or action taken by the Electrical Inspector in the performance of his or her official duties, may appeal such decision to the Commonwealth Electrical Advisory Committee in the manner provided by state law.
(T) State license requirements; examinations.
(1) Electrical licenses shall be of the types required and issued by the commonwealth under KRS Ch. 227A.010 et seq.
(2) All electrical contractors, master electricians, and electricians who work within the county shall obtain and keep in full force and effect, the requisite license required by the commonwealth.
(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring, equipment, apparatus, or fixtures in or about buildings and dwellings in the county unless said person has obtained a master electrician’s, electrician’s, or electrical contractor’s license; however, an apprentice or helper may install wires or make electrical connections if he or she is employed under the supervision of a licensed electrician. All electrical contractors shall employ only electricians licensed as provided in this division (T) and such apprentices and helpers as are necessary.
(4) Permits to perform electrical work shall be issued only to persons or companies employing full-time persons holding an electrical contractor’s license issued by the commonwealth.
(5) All electrical work shall be performed by electricians licensed by the commonwealth, except helpers as deemed necessary. Licensed electricians shall be on the job site and helpers shall be under the direct supervision of licensed electricians.
(U) Liability for damages. This section shall not be constructed to affect the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling, or installing any electrical equipment for damages to persons or property caused by a defect therein. Neither the county or any of its agencies, boards, inspectors, or employees shall assume any liability by reason of the inspection, reinspection, or other examination of electrical work or equipment authorized, or by reason of the certificate of compliance issued as provided in this section, or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment authorized in this section.
(Ord. 272.5 (05), passed 5-19-2005) Penalty, see § 31.99