(a) Additions, alterations, or repairs.
(1) Additions, alterations, or repairs to any building, structure, or premises may be made to any electrical system or equipment without requiring the existing electrical system to comply with all the requirements of this code, provided the addition, alteration, or repair conforms to that required for a new electrical system or equipment. Additions, alterations, installations, or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, create unhealthy or overloaded conditions, or shall not adversely affect the performance of the building as determined by the authority having jurisdiction. Electrical wiring added to an existing service, feeder, or branch circuit shall not result in an installation that violates the provisions of the code in effect at the time the additions are made.
(2) Provisions of the International Existing Building Code may apply to electrical modifications of buildings undergoing additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of occupancy.
(b) New electrical service entrances in existing single-family and multiple-family dwellings.
(1) When adding a new service entrance with increased amperage, the existing electrical system shall, at a minimum, comply with the following.
A. Kitchens. Each kitchen shall have a minimum of one 20-ampere circuit serving a countertop receptacle and a grounded receptacle serving a refrigerator.
B. Overcurrent device location. In multifamily dwellings, each occupant shall have access to his or her branch circuit overcurrent devices without going outdoors or through another occupancy.
C. Habitable areas. All habitable areas, other than closets, kitchens, basements, garages, hallways, laundry areas, utility areas, storage areas, and bathrooms, shall have minimum of two duplex receptacle outlets or one duplex receptacle outlet and one ceiling or wall-type lighting outlet.
D. Minimum lighting outlets. At least one lighting fixture shall be provided in every habitable room, bathroom, hallway, stairway, attached garage, and detached garage with electrical power, in utility rooms, and basements where the spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring service, and to illuminate outdoor entrances and exits. A switched receptacle is allowed in lieu of a lighting fixture in habitable rooms only.
E. Ground fault circuit interrupters. Ground fault circuit interrupter protection shall be provided for all receptacles in bathrooms, laundry, above kitchen counters, attached and detached garages provided with power, at readily accessible receptacles within 6 feet of sinks, unfinished basements, and at outdoor locations. The exceptions of the National Electrical Code §§ 210.8(A)3 and 5 shall apply.
F. Laundries. Each laundry shall be provided with at least one individual branch 20-ampere circuit.
G. Heat sources. The primary heat source shall be provided with an individual branch circuit.
H. Exposed wiring methods. All exposed wiring methods shall be installed in accordance with the applicable National Electrical Code article.
I. Bathrooms. Each bathroom shall have one receptacle outlet located within 3 feet of the basin. Any bathroom receptacle outlet shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection.
J. Emergency disconnect. An emergency disconnect shall be provided as required in Section 230.85 of the National Electric Code for one- and two-family dwelling units and townhomes.
(2) Minor additions, alterations, and repairs to existing electrical systems or equipment may be installed in accordance with the law in effect at the time the original installation was made, when approved by the electrical inspector.
(c) Existing installations. Electrical systems or equipment lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this code may have their use, maintenance, or repair continued if the use, maintenance, or repair is in accordance with the original design and location and no hazard to life, health, or property has been created by the electrical system.
(d) Changes in building occupancy. Electrical systems or equipment that are a part of any building or structure undergoing a change in occupancy, use, or character of use as defined in the building code shall comply with all requirements of this code which may be applicable to the new occupancy, use, or character of use. Provisions of the International Existing Building Code may apply to buildings undergoing a change of occupancy.
(e) Maintenance. All electrical systems, equipment materials, and appurtenances, both existing and new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design and in a safe and hazard-free condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by this code shall be maintained in conformance with the code edition under which installed. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for maintenance of electrical systems and equipment. To determine compliance with this division (e), the building official may cause an electrical system or equipment to be reinspected.
(f) Moved buildings. Single, modular, or multi-family residential units moved from one location to another must have at least a 100-ampere service at the new location and must meet the ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection and arc-fault circuit interrupter protection requirements of the National Electrical Code.
(1992 Code, § 15-6) (Ord. 65-93, passed 8-9-1993; Ord. 24-03, passed 3-3-2003; Ord. 122-05, passed 12-5-2005; Ord. 107-08, passed 8-18-2008; Ord. 82-11, passed 10-17-2011; Ord. 75-14, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. 62-17, passed 7-18-2017; Ord. 68-20, passed 9-1-2020)