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(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)
(a) General.
(1) The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this code. For these purposes, the building official shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.
(2) The building official shall have the power to adopt and enforce rules and regulations to the administrative provisions of this code. The rules and regulations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this code.
(3) In accordance with the prescribed procedures and with the approval of the city council, the building official may appoint a number of licensed electrical inspectors and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. The building official may deputize licensed electrical inspectors or employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the code enforcement agency. Licensed electrical inspectors shall have the power to render interpretations of the National Electrical Code. The interpretations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this code and other pertinent state laws or rules.
(b) Right of entry. Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or where the building official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or on a premises a condition that is contrary to or in violation of this code that makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous, or hazardous, the building official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code, provided that if such structure or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such structure or premises is unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the structure or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
(c) Stop orders. Where the building official finds any work regulated by this code being performed in a manner either contrary to the provisions of this code or dangerous or unsafe, the building official is authorized to issue a stop work order.
(d) Authority to disconnect utilities in emergencies. The building official shall have the authority to disconnect electrical utility service, or energy supplies to a building, structure, premises, or equipment regulated by this code in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property. The building official shall, whenever possible, notify the serving utility, the owner and occupant of the building, structure, or premises of the decision to disconnect prior to taking action, and shall notify the serving utility, owner and occupant of the building, structure, or premises in writing of the disconnection immediately thereafter.
(e) Authority to condemn electrical systems, apparatus, wiring, or equipment.
(1) When the electrical inspector ascertains that any electrical systems, apparatus, wiring, or equipment, or portion thereof, regulated by this code has become hazardous to life, health, or property, the electrical inspector shall order in writing that the equipment either be removed or restored to a safe condition, as appropriate. The written notice shall contain a fixed time limit for compliance with the order. Persons shall not use or maintain defective equipment after receiving a notice.
(2) When electrical systems, apparatus, wiring, or equipment or an installation is to be disconnected, written notice of the disconnection and causes therefor shall be given within 24 hours to the serving utility, the owner and occupant of the building, structure, or premises. When any equipment is maintained in violation of this code, and in violation of a notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this section, the building official shall institute an appropriate action to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate the violation.
(f) Connection after order to disconnect. Persons shall not make connections from a source of electrical energy to any building or portion thereof or equipment regulated by this code which has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the electrical inspector or the use of which has been ordered to be discontinued by the electrical inspector until the electrical inspector authorizes the reconnection and use of the equipment.
(g) Modifications. Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the code official shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases upon application of the owner or owner’s representative, provided that the code official shall first find that special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code and does not lessen health, life, and fire safety requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of the electrical inspection department.
(h) Alternative materials, design, and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design, or method of construction shall be approved where the code official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method, or work offered is, for the purpose intended, not less than the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety.
(1992 Code, § 15-7) (Ord. 65-93, passed 8-9-1993; Ord. 82-11, passed 10-17-2011; Ord. 75-14, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. 68-20, passed 9-1- 2020)
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