(A) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALTERATION. Any change, modification, or adjustment to an existing electrical system or conduit.
ELECTRICAL. Pertains to 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 system 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 (1) full-time master electrician.
ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR. Any person certified by the Commissioner pursuant to KRS 227.489 and duly appointed by the Commission of the City of Pikeville 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 State Building Code promulgated pursuant to KRS 198B.050 or the standards of safety of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Any electrical work subject to standards provided within the National Electrical Code as adopted in the Uniform State Building Code, as promulgated by the department.
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 system used for the purpose of furnishing heat, light, or power.
MASTER ELECTRICIAN. Any individual licensed to engage in, and assume responsible charge, supervision, or direction of an electrician engaged in the construction, installation, alteration, or repair of any electrical system used to furnish heat, light, or power.
REPAIR. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance.
(B) Reasonable standards for the construction, alteration, and repair of any electrical wiring shall be those adopted in the Kentucky Building Code, and shall have as a minimum standard the requirements of the National Electrical Code (with the exception of low voltage installations), which is a part of the Kentucky Building Code. The Electrical Inspector in making his or her inspections shall use these standards. The Electrical Inspector shall be appointed by the City Commission and Kentucky State certified each year as required by KRS 227.487.
(C) The City of Pikeville, since adopting the Kentucky Building Code, requires any person to obtain written electrical permits before commencing construction, alterations or repairs of any electrical system pursuant to KRS 227.480, and requires such inspection, as it deems necessary for the safety of life and property except to the extent that licensing and/or inspection is exempt under KRS 227A.030 or 227A.150.
(D) No person shall be issued an electrical permit unless the applicant submits proof of being licensed as an electrical contractor in accordance with KRS 227A.010 to 227A.140. However, the provisions of this division shall not apply to a homeowner or farmer who does construction, alteration, or repairs of any electrical system on his or her own premises or any other person exempt from licensing under KRS 227A.030 or 227A.150. This division shall not apply to electrical work performed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a city, county, urban-county government, charter county, or consolidated local government, or any subdivision thereof.
(E) The cost of electrical permits for residential shall be:
(1) Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for electrical permit.
(2) For homes valued up to two hundred fifty thousand ($250,000.00) the inspection cost shall be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for inspections (covers two (2) inspections).
(3) For homes valued two hundred fifty thousand ($250,000.00) or greater the inspection cost shall be three hundred dollars ($300.00) for inspections (covers four (4) inspections).
(F) The cost of electrical permits for commercial shall be:
(1) One hundred dollars ($100.00) for electrical permit.
(2) Commercial inspection fee shall be one and one-half percent (1.5%) of total electrical cost or one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) minimum whichever is greater.
(G) In the event that work commences on the construction, alterations, or repairs of any electrical system prior to the issuance of an electrical permit, the cost of electrical permits for residential or commercial permits shall be double the cost set forth in divisions (D) and (E) above.
(H) All construction, alterations, or repairs of any electrical system pursuant to KRS 227.480 unless otherwise exempt shall be inspected by the electrical inspector.
(I) Electrical inspectors shall have the authority to take immediate action to prevent further electrical work at any inspection site where, in the judgment of the electrical inspector, imminent danger to life or property exists. Actions the electrical inspector may take to address this danger are the following: (a) stop-work order regarding any electrical work at the inspection site; or (b) recommendations of fines or other penalties as described in KRS 227.500.
(J) (1) Failure to comply with this section may result in the violator being fined a sum not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and no more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), or imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or both.
(2) If properly recommended by an electrical inspector under division (I) above, the violator of this section, the Uniform State Building Code, or the standards of safety of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the first offense, and a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each subsequent offense.
(Ord. 0-84-005, passed 5-14-84; Am. Ord. 04-0-12, passed 8-9-04; Am. Ord. 0-2012-012, passed 5-14-12; Am. Ord. 0-2018-04, passed 3-12-18)