(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)