(A) Adoption; compliance required.
(1) For the purposes of supplementing the provisions and regulations contained in this Title, and for setting forth minimum standards for the installation of electrical wiring, the city hereby adopts by reference the standards, specifications, rules and regulations of the National Fire Protection Association as compiled and published as the National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition, (NFPA No. 70-2002), hereinafter referred to as the NEC, Article 80 of the NEC, 1 copy of which shall be kept on file in the City Clerk’s office, 1 copy of which shall be kept on file in the Building Inspector’s office and 1 copy of which shall be kept in the LaSalle Public Library, all copies to be available for public inspection.
(2) No electrical wiring for heat, light and power shall be installed in a building or structure, nor shall an alteration or an extension of an existing electrical wiring system be made except in conformity with the provisions of this section and the National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition, (NFPA No. 70-2002).
(3) In case of conflict between the NEC and the rules and regulations herein specified, the rules and regulations contained in this section shall prevail.
(B) Application for service installation.
(1) Any person desiring to make an electrical service installation in any premises as defined in this section shall make application to make such installation and for service connection of the premises with a private electric power utility, to the city on a printed form provided by said city. The application shall be signed by the owner of the premises in which the installation will be made. With every such application, there shall be a fee paid to the city as provided within § 124.06 of the LaSalle City Code regarding contractor fees, building permit and building inspection fees and related matters.
(2) All applications shall also contain the printed agreement thereon that the applicant will conform to and abide by all the rules, regulations and provisions of ordinances of the city pertaining to the installation and maintenance of electric wiring, fixtures and appliances then or thereafter in force.
(C) Plans and specifications.
(1) Filing required. The application shall contain a statement of the nature and extent of the electrical installation and the name and address of the electrical contractor who will perform the work or service.
(a) The owner or contractor shall file with the City Building Inspector detailed plans and specifications for such electrical installation for use of the city in making inspections of the installation.
(b) No installation shall commence until such plans and specifications have been furnished to and approved by the Building Inspector.
(2) Wiring requirements. All plans shall include the wiring layout, with the location of outlets, distribution facilities and the size of wire to be used. All work performed and all materials used shall be in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted with the application for permit and any revisions or changes from the plans submitted shall be considered a violation unless approved by the Building Inspector.
(3) Single-family residences. Plans for single-family residences shall include the location and size of service entrance equipment.
(4) Other residences. Plans for other than single- and 2-family residences shall include a riser diagram, fixture schedule, panel schedule, motor list, location of service entrance equipment, details of wall penetration for service entrance connected load and demand factor used to calculate load demand, and all such drawings and plans will require a professional engineer’s or architect’s seal.
(5) Possible exemptions. At the discretion of the Building Inspector or his or her designee, minor modifications, alterations or additions to existing facilities may not require a professional engineer’s or architect’s seal.
(6) Approval. Approval of detailed plans and specifications by the Building Inspector will not constitute responsibility by the city for adequacy, completeness, correctness or reliability of the plans and specifications. The final responsibility for the plans and specifications rests with the professional engineer or architect whose seal appears on the plans and specifications or, in the case where the requirement of a professional engineer’s or architect’s seal is waived, upon the person who submits the plans and specifications with the permit application.
(D) Occupancy permit required. When all electrical work has been completed, the Building Inspector shall endorse the permit, such endorsement meaning that all electrical work pursuant to the permit has been completed and inspected and that all fees have been paid. An occupancy permit shall not be issued for any premises until such copy of the permit has been filed and all fees have been paid.
(E) Electrical inspections.
(1) The city requires that inspections be made during the installation of the electric wiring system to assure compliance with this section. The owner or contractor shall give 24-hours’ notice to the city and shall obtain an appointment period during which such inspection shall take place. The city may require a representative of the electrical contractor or the electrician installing the electric wiring system to be present on the site with plans and specifications which were submitted for the permit when the Building Inspector makes his or her inspection.
(2) Rough inspections are required before any work is concealed or covered such as walls and concrete. A red tag will indicate a violation or violations exist. Violations must be corrected before the electric wiring system is covered or concealed and approval of work obtained. Approval shall be indicted by the placing of a yellow tag with the Building Inspector’s or his or her designee’s signature.
(3) Final inspection and approval by the Building Inspector of the completed electrical installation shall be made before an occupancy permit is issued. Permanent electrical service can be installed, at the option of the Building Inspector, as soon as the service riser, meter socket, main disconnect and interconnecting conduit and conductors are properly installed and grounded.
(F) Additions, insertions and changes.
(1) Article 80.15 - Delete the text of Article 80.15 and substitute the following: “The Zoning Board of Appeals shall serve as the Electric Board for the purpose of hearing appeals related to the City’s Electric Code.”
(2) Article 80.23(B)(3) - Delete the text of Article 80.23(B)(3) and insert the following: “Any person, firm, or corporation who shall willfully violate any of the applicable provisions of this article shall upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $500 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate violation.”
(3) Article 80.25 - Notification: Delete the text of Article 80.25(C) and insert the following: “Notification. If, within five business days after the Building Inspector is notified in writing of the completion of an installation of electric equipment, other than a temporary approval installation, the Building Inspector has neither authorized connection nor disapproved the installation, the supplier of electricity is authorized to make connections and supply electricity to such installation.”
(4) Article 80.27 Inspector’s Qualifications - Delete the text of Article 80.27.
(5) Article 80.29 Liability for Damages - Insert the following: “City of LaSalle.”
(6) Article 80.35 Effective Date - Insert the following: “fourteen, 14.”
(7) Article 230.1 Scope - Add the following: “All service installations shall comply with the standards and requirements as designated by the local electric utility. In case of conflict between the NEC and the rules and regulations as specified by the local electric utility, the rules and regulations as established by the local electric utility shall prevail. No service meter shall be installed or electric service provided to a building without approval by the Building Inspector, which shall be designated by a yellow “APPROVED” sticker attached to the meter base by the Building Inspector.”
(8) Article 310.2 Conductors - Delete the text of Article 310.2 (B) and substitute the following: “Conductor Material. Conductors in this article shall be of copper. Aluminum is only approved for use by the local electric utility for service installations.”
(9) Article 320 - Armored Cable (BX): This may only be used as an extension to an existing system of a residence where it is impossible to use conduit. This method will not be used in a basement; except for a short piece to connect to junction box
(10) Article 322 Flat Cable Assemblies: Type FC and Article 324: - Flat conductor Cable: Type FCC - Can be used only for the repair of existing systems.
(11) Article 334 - Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable - This method will only be allowed in 1 or 2-family dwellings and shall only be allowed in floors located above grade. In no case will this method be allowed in a basement or any other story located below grade.
(12) Article 338 - Service-Entrance Cable: Use of this method is not permitted unless approved by the Building Inspector.
(13) Article 340 - Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable: Paragraph 340-10(4) is not acceptable. Type OF Cable shall not be used in any basement or other story located below grade.
(14) Article 362 - Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing - Type ENT: Use of this method is only permitted in concealed locations in all uses.
(G) Provisions regarding the regulation of electrical contractors.
(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to do or perform any installation, alteration, maintenance or repair of or to any electrical conductor, equipment or other process, matter or material regulated by or within the scope of the National Electrical Code as adopted and modified thereby, without being appropriately licensed and/or registered under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Electrician. An electrician license authorizes any person, firm or corporation to do any type of residential, commercial or industrial electrical wiring, including without limitation the installation or alteration of electrical equipment for utilization of electricity supplied for light, heat or power.
(3) Licensing procedure. The procedure for obtaining a license shall be as follows:
(a) Application for any electrician license shall be received by the Building Inspector on forms which may be obtained from him. The application shall include the name, address and place of business of the applicant.
(b) All applicants for electrician license shall be at least 21 years of age and shall have had at least 5 years practical experience or shall have satisfactorily completed a course of study in the subject for which the license is sought, given by a recognized school, and have had at least one year of practical experience in addition thereto. Additionally, notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be presumed, subject to review of the qualifications by the Building Inspector, that applicants possessing the following qualifications shall be qualified for a license:
1. Individuals licensed by another municipality within the State of Illinois having a population of at least 7,500 people.
2. Any individual qualified as a journeyman union electrician.
(c) The annual fee for an electrical license is $100 payable upon meeting the terms of the city ordinances. All licenses shall expire on the 30th day of April of each year.
(4) Contractor registration. An electrical contractor is any person, firm or corporation performing work covered by the Electrical Code. All electrical contractors desiring to do work in the city shall be registered and licensed except as provided herein. Registration requirements are as follows:
(a) An electrical contractor shall be or employ at least one licensed electrician who is in responsible charge of all electrical work;
(b) Electrical contractors shall file with the annual application for registration a bond in the penal sum of $10,000, running to the city, ensuring that the contractor will faithfully perform the duties required by ordinance, rules or regulations of the city; suitably guard and protect any excavation or obstructions; and defend, save and keep harmless and indemnify the city of and from all actions, suits, costs, damages and expenses whatsoever, including attorney’s fees, which shall at any time happen for, or on account of any injuries, or damages received or sustained by any person caused by the negligence in either the execution or protection of his work, or form unfaithful or inadequate work done under, or by virtue of, his or her license;
(c) The electrical contractor shall provide the city with a certificate of insurance at the time of application for registration and at the time of annual renewal in the following or equivalent amounts:
1. Public liability and property damage $1,000,000.
2. Umbrella coverage $1,000,000.
(5) Non-transferability. No license issued under this chapter or registration hereunder shall be loaned, rented, assigned or transferred.
(6) Renewal and reinstatement.
(a) Any person, firm or corporation having received an electrical license as provided for in this chapter has the right, without further examination, to have that license renewed annually upon payment to the city a license fee and the execution or renewal of the bond and insurance required by this chapter.
(b) Any license forfeited for non-payment of a renewal fee may be reinstated upon the payment of the annual renewal fee without re-examination, provided however, that the person had been properly licensed the previous year. A person whose license has not been renewed for two or three years may apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for reinstatement and may be licensed without re-examination upon the inspector finding that the applicant is qualified for licensing. Any license lapsed for more than three years may only be licensed by passing the examination.
(7) Suspension or revocation of rights and privileges.
(a) Any person licensed or electrical contractor registered in the city under this chapter may have his or her license or registration suspended or revoked by the Building Inspector for cause, after notice and an opportunity to be heard in his or her own defense. Upon notification from the Building Inspector of one or more violations listed herein, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall investigate and determine if suspension or revocation of rights and privileges is appropriate. If the electrical commission, by majority vote, determines that suspension or revocation is in order, the mandate takes effect immediately and stays in effect during any appeal process. Cause for suspension or revocation of a license or registration shall include, but shall not be limited to:
1. Refusal or failure to make any necessary corrections to electrical work within a reasonable time after notification of the defects therein;
2. Failure to obtain electrical permits;
3. Transfer of electrical permits or license;
4. Failure to call for required inspections;
5. Unwillingness or inability to install electrical work in accordance with the terms and provisions of this chapter;
6. Violation of any provision of this chapter;
7. False representations.
(b) All appeals of the decisions of the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be made to the City Council. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted hereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not apply, or the requirements of this code are adequately satisfied by other means.
(8) Owner exemption. The owner of a property may personally carry on such property any work governed by this section without a license and registration as required by division (G)(3) of this section, provided that such owner shall obtain a permit for any such work; perform such work personally or with the assistance of any family member; and shall call for inspections as provided in this chapter.
(9) Additional exemptions from the license, permit and/or inspection requirements. The license requirements of division (G)(3) of this section and the permit provisions do not apply to:
(a) Public service agencies installing, altering or repairing electrical equipment for the operation of communication and signals. This exemption applies only to equipment and conductors owned by the serving agency which are exterior to any premises or dwelling unit; this does not exempt the electrical work of the buildings of such public service agencies.
(b) Transmitting equipment. The installation, alteration, modification or use of electrical equipment for radio and television transmission, except the equipment and wiring for power supply therefore.
(c) That additionally, there shall be provided and allowed a one-time exception from the payment of the registration fee for an individual and/or entity of any type that would otherwise qualify as an applicant for an electrical license but has not previously performed electrical work within the city to work on one contractual project within the city without the need for paying a registration fee. However, said individual and/or entity shall be required in that event to register for this one time exception and in order to qualify for this one time exception shall be required to be qualified for a license, with the exception only applying to the payment of the $100 fee for the particular project involved. Additionally, any subsequent services or work performed within the city shall be prohibited absent paying the registration fee and obtaining the full license unless as otherwise provide above herein.
(Ord. 1795, passed 3-31-2003; Am. Ord. 2501, passed 8-26-2014; Am. Ord. 2640, passed 6-6-2016)