(A) Title. Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code § 380.10, the National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, as amended by the state, except as hereinafter amended by this section, is hereby adopted by reference for the purpose of providing minimum provisions to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating, licensing and controlling the design, installation, quality of materials, location and maintenance of all electrical installations and uses within the city. The provisions of said Code, except as amended herein, shall be controlling in all matters contemplated therein within the city. The provisions of this section shall be known as the “Electrical Code”.
(2011 Code, § 20.0201)
(B) Copies on file. An official copy of said Code, including amendments as adopted, is on file in the office of the Building Official.
(2011 Code, § 20.0202)
(C) Available for public inspection. A copy of said Code, as amended, shall be kept available at the Building Official’s office for public inspection.
(2011 Code, § 20.0203)
(D) Local amendments to the National Electrical Code. None.
(2011 Code, § 20.0204)
(E) Scope.
(1) The provisions of the Electrical Code shall apply to the electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on public and private structures and other premises; also the conductors that connect the installations to a supply of electricity and other outside conductors adjacent to the premises; also mobile homes and travel trailers.
(2) Additions to, alterations thereof, and repairs to existing electrical equipment, if covered by the Electrical Code, shall comply with the provisions of the Electrical Code; and, further, the Electrical Inspector may, when such additions, alterations or repairs are made, order further reasonable additions or alterations in a building, structure or on premises, when a danger to life or property may result if such further additions or alterations were not made.
(3) Installations which were in compliance with the Electrical Code in existence at the time such installations were made shall be presumed to be safe and proper, which presumption can be rebutted by evidence that the installation may be dangerous to life or property.
(4) For the purposes of the Electrical Code, the term ELECTRICAL WORK shall apply to all uses, installations, alterations, repairs, removals, replacements, connections, disconnections and maintenance of all electrical equipment.
(5) The term ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT shall include all electrical materials, wiring, conductors, fittings, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures, signs or parts thereof, used in electrical work.
(2011 Code, § 20.0205)
(E) Application to moved buildings. Structures moved into or within the city shall comply with the provisions of the Electrical Code for new structures.
(2011 Code, § 20.0206)
(F) Existing buildings. If an existing building is damaged by fire, or otherwise, or altered in a manner to require the replacement of 50% or more of the wiring equipment, the entire building shall be made to conform to the requirements of the Electrical Code for new buildings. If the type of occupancy of an existing building is partially or entirely changed, the electrical wiring shall be made to conform to the requirements of the Electrical Code for the new type of occupancy.
(2011 Code, § 20.0207)
(G) Conformity with standards. Conformity with the standards of the Underwriters’ Laboratories Incorporated as approved by the American National Standards Institute shall be evidence of conformity with approved standards for electrical equipment.
(2011 Code, § 20.0208)
(H) Furnishing current prior to approval of wiring. No person or corporation generating current for electric light, heat or power in the city shall connect its system or furnish current for electrical purposes to any building or premises which has not been inspected and approved by the Electrical Inspector. Any person or corporation shall, upon written notice from the Electrical Inspector to do so, immediately disconnect such building or premise from its source of current.
(2011 Code, § 20.0209)
(I) Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter, repair, maintain, improve or use any electrical equipment, or to perform any electrical work in the city, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the Electrical Code.
(2011 Code, § 20.0210)
(J) Violation and penalty. Any violation of this section, in addition to any other penalty provided, shall constitute a municipal infraction and shall be punishable as provided in § 10.99(A) of this code of ordinances.
(2011 Code, § 20.0212)
(K) Permits; required. No person shall perform any electrical work, nor install electrical equipment, in or upon any building or property without first securing from the office of the Electrical Inspector a permit therefor; nor shall any alteration or change be made in the wiring of any building; or in any electrical installation therein or thereon, either before or after inspection, nor shall any electric current be connected to any wires, or apparatus, without notifying the Electrical Inspector and securing a permit therefor. A separate permit shall be obtained for each structure.
(2011 Code, § 20.0221)
(L) Issuance. After proper application on forms provided by the Electrical Inspector, permits shall be issued in the name of the person holding an active Master electrician’s license in the State of Iowa and the name of the firm the electrician represents. All applications for electrical permits shall be signed by the licensed Master electrician, or the homeowner doing homeowner’s own work.
(2011 Code, § 20.0222)
(M) Non-transferable; permit restrictions. Permits are not transferable. Electrical work performed under permits issued under the provisions of this section must be done under the direction of the Master electrician securing such permit, the electrician’s firm or corporation.
(2011 Code, § 20.0223)
(N) Double fee for failure to obtain permit before starting work.
(1) Except in emergency situations, as determined by the Electrical Inspector, where work for an electrical permit is required by the Electrical Code is started or proceeded with by any person prior to obtaining a required permit, the regular fees as specified in the Electrical Code for such work shall be doubled. The payment of such double fee shall not relieve any persons from fully complying with the requirements of the Electrical Code in the execution of the work, nor from any other penalties prescribed herein.
(2) No additional permits shall be issued to any person who owes the city the double fee described in this section.
(2011 Code, § 20.0224)
(O) Home owner. In cases where an owner-occupant of a single-family dwelling desires to install wiring or electrical equipment or perform any electrical work in an existing owner-occupant single-family structure, the owner-occupant may appear before the Electrical Inspector and show that the owner-occupant is competent to do the specific work for which the owner-occupant desires an electrical permit, and after each showing, may obtain an electrical permit by paying the proper fee. In cases of new construction of any scale, an owner-occupant is not eligible to install wiring or electrical equipment or perform any electrical work. For purposes of this division (O), a SINGLE-FAMILY STRUCTURE shall mean a detached residence designed for or occupied by one family only.
(2011 Code, § 20.0225)
(P) Revocation of permit; expiration of permit.
(1) Any permit required by the provisions of the Electrical Code may be revoked by the Electrical Inspector upon the violation of any provisions of the Electrical Code.
(2) Every permit issued under the provisions of the Electrical Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 60 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 120 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall first be obtained, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work; provided that, such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.
(2011 Code, § 20.0226)
(Q) Fees, fee exemption, re-inspection fees. There shall be paid to the city for the issuance of each electrical permit a fee as established by resolution of the City Council. The schedule shall be periodically amended as deemed appropriate by the Council.
(1) At the discretion of the Electrical Inspector, a reinspection fee in the amount established by resolution of the City Council may be charged to the holder of a permit if a reinspection is necessary due to permit holder calling for an inspection before the work is ready for inspection of if corrections must be made that require reinspection.
(2011 Code, § 20.0227)
(R) Collection of fees for permits; refund of permit fees.
(1) All fees due the city for permits shall be collected at the Community Development Department and paid thereafter to the City of Newton.
(2) If, within 30 days of the date of issuance, the holder of an electrical permit decides not to commence the work described in such permit, the holder of the permit may, upon application to the Electrical Inspector, be refunded that portion of the permit fee which is in excess of the basic fee. The refund of any fee less than the basic fee shall not be made.
(2011 Code, § 20.0228)
(S) Inspections.
(1) It shall be the duty of the person to whom the permit was issued, for which a permit is required, to notify the Electrical Inspector that said work is ready for inspection. The Electrical Inspector shall, without undue delay, perform the required inspection.
(2011 Code, § 20.0229)
(T) Covering or concealing work. No electrical work for which a permit is required shall be concealed in any manner from access or sight until such work has been inspected and approved by the Electrical Inspector.
(2011 Code, § 20.0230)
(U) Removal of covering. The Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to remove or cause to remove the lath, plaster, boarding or other obstruction which may prevent the proper inspection of wires or electrical equipment.
(2011 Code, § 20.0231)
(V) Correcting defective work. When an electrical contractor is notified that defects exist in contractor’s electrical work, the contractor shall make corrections promptly. Corrections shall be made within 30 days after notification and, if not so made, the electrical contractor shall not be issued any other permits until such defects are corrected and approval given by the Electrical Inspector.
(2011 Code, § 20.0232)
(W) Annual inspection; notice of defects, failure to remedy defects. The Electrical Inspector is hereby empowered to make an annual inspection of all electrical wires and equipment in the city and shall keep an accurate record of inspections and the conditions of electrical equipment, and whenever it shall be ascertained by inspection, as provided in this section, that any electrical installation or part thereof in any building is so defective as to render the same dangerous to person or property, the Electrical Inspector shall at once cause notice to be given served upon the owner or person in charge, or the occupant of the same to remedy the defects within a reasonable time, to be stated in such notice, and if defects are not remedied within the time fixed by such notice, the Electrical Inspector may cause the electric current to be disconnected from such building and the electric current shall not again be turned on until all defects or improper conditions have been removed or repaired in conformance with the provisions of the Electrical Code.
(2011 Code, § 20.0233)
(X) Appointment of inspectors. The Electrical Inspectors shall be appointed by the City Administrator and be the Building Official or under supervision of the Building Official for the enforcement of the Electrical Code and regulations of the city.
(2011 Code, § 20.0234)
(Y) Electrical inspectors; powers, duties and authority. Inspectors shall have the following powers, duties and authority.
(1) Entry and power to disconnect. Electrical inspectors shall have the right to enter upon any property during reasonable hours in the discharge of their official duties and shall have the authority to cause the disconnection of any wiring or equipment where such wiring or equipment is dangerous to life or property or may interfere with the work of the Fire Department.
(2) Inspection authorized. The Electrical Inspectors are hereby authorized, directed and empowered to inspect any and all electrical installations within the city, to condemn and order removed or remodeled and put in proper and safe condition for the prevention of fire and the safety of life, all electrical heating and lighting apparatus, motors, machinery, fixtures and connections, electrical equipment used in the utilization of electrical current for light, heat or power purposes and to control the disposition and arrangements of the same so that persons and property shall not be in danger therefrom.
(2011 Code, § 20.0235)
(Z) Conflict of interest prohibited. The Electrical Inspector and inspector’s assistants shall not engage in the business of the sale, installation or maintenance of electrical equipment, either directly or indirectly, and they shall have no financial interest in any form engaged in such business in the city while holding office.
(2011 Code, § 20.0236)
(AA) Electrician’s license required.
(1) No person shall engage in the activity, or represent himself or herself to the public as engaging in the activity, of installing, altering, maintaining or repairing any electrical equipment within the scope of this section unless such person shall have first obtained from the State of Iowa an electrical contractor’s license.
(2) A licensed electrician shall be on the job at all times while electrical work is in progress.
(2011 Code, § 20.0251) (Ord. 2185, passed 2-16-2012; Ord. 2336, passed 6-18-2018; Ord. 2390, passed 2-15-2021)