(A) Administration. This chapter shall be administered by the Code Official, Permits & Inspections Office, established within the Garrett County Building Code Ordinance. The electrical code adopted by this chapter shall be enforced by the Code Official who shall observe the same rules for administration and enforcement for this chapter as prescribed within the duly adopted Building Code Ordinance for Garrett County.
(B) Permits.
(1) An electrical permit shall be required through the Permits & Inspections Office for the installation or renewal or extension of electrical wiring or conductors used for the transmission of electric current for electric light, heat, or power purpose in all new construction and in the reconstruction, alteration, or repair of existing buildings and structures. A permit shall also be required for outdoor electrical displays and signs.
(2) Any electrical work requiring an electrical permit that is of an emergency nature or requires immediate remediation may be performed provided an application is made for the required electrical permit within 3 business days of commencing the emergency work.
(3) Exceptions:
(a) An electrical permit shall not be required pursuant to this section for the following electrical work:
1. Minor repair work of existing electrical services.
2. The connection of portable electrical appliances to suitable permanently installed appliances.
3. Equipment installed or work performed for a public utility.
4. Equipment installed or work performed by a railway utility in the exercise of its function as a utility and located in or on its right-of-way.
5. Equipment used in connection with commercial radio and television transmission.
6. Repair, manufacturing and maintenance work on premises occupied by a firm or corporation, and installation work on existing buildings occupied by a firm or corporation and performed by a qualified employee of the firm or corporation.
7. Electrical installations exempted by the National Electrical Code.
(b) All applications for electrical permits shall be made in writing to the Permits & Inspections Office on forms supplied by said office. Applications shall include the type of electrical work to be completed, the inspections required, the electrical power company providing service, and the master electricians name and license number responsible for the installation. Electrical permit applications must be signed by the responsible master electrician. A homeowner may sign his or her permit application but must affirm that he or she shall:
1. Be responsible for the electrical installation applied for in their own residence, agricultural building or accessory building;
2. Be responsible for all required electrical inspections and approvals; and
3. Acknowledge that he or she is prohibited from hiring an unlicensed contractor or person to complete the electrical installation being applied for with penalty of forfeit of said permit.
(c) All applicants for electrical permits shall pay a fee to the Permits & Inspections Office in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners. Upon approval of an application, the Permits & Inspections Office shall provide 2 copies of the approved permit. One copy shall be provided to the electrical inspector for his use in reporting electrical inspections to Permits & Inspections Office. The second copy shall be retained by the applicant for their record.
(C) Inspections. All electrical installations requiring a permit through this chapter shall require proper inspections to assure compliance with the provisions of the electrical code hereby adopted. No electrical wiring or installation shall be concealed unless inspected and approved by a certified electrical inspector as defined within this chapter. All applicable fees covering the cost of inspections shall be paid directly to the electrical inspector. Each applicant for an electrical permit shall cause the premises covered by the application to be open for inspection to the inspector at all reasonable times. Inspections or re-inspections shall be made within a reasonable time after proper notice of the completion of the electrical work to be inspected for approval. A duplicate record of each written approval made by the inspector shall be filed with the Permits & Inspections Office on the electrical permit provided to the applicant. Should the Permits & Inspections Office be notified by the inspector that any electrical work being performed under an approved permit is not being installed in conformity with the electrical code or this chapter, the Code Official shall have the authority to stop all electrical work and order the removal or correction of said work.
(D) Inspection of existing installations. In order to safeguard persons and property against the hazards incident to defective electrical wiring and apparatus in existence within the county, the Code Official is authorized to inspect or require inspection when requested by proper authority or when public interest so requires any building or structure to insure that the electrical wiring and apparatus are not defective and unsafe. The Code Official shall provide due notice of the inspection to the last known owner of record of the subject property but in the case of an immediate threat to the safety of persons or property, the Code Official may inspect or require inspection without due notice. Any fees required as a result of the initial inspection shall be the responsibility of Garrett County. Upon determination that the existing wiring installation or any portion thereof is found to be defective or unsafe the Code Official shall require correction of all unsafe electrical conditions through issuance of an electrical permit and required inspections as outlined within this chapter. Permit and inspections fees shall be the responsibility of the affected property owner.
(Ord. —, passed 7-7-2009)