Chapter 15.36
ELECTRICAL CODE*
Sections:
15.36.015 Electrical Fee Schedule.
15.36.020 Placement of Service Laterals.
15.36.030 Duties of the Building Official.
15.36.040 Authority to Render Electric Service.
15.36.060 Electrical Permit Fees.
15.36.070 Lighting Requirements.
* Prior legislation: Ords. 326 C.S., 77-28, 85-13 and 87-11.
15.36.010 Adoption.
The 2022 California Electrical Code, based on the National Electrical Code, as promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, copies of which are on file with the City Clerk as required by law, is adopted by reference and incorporated into this title as the electrical code for the City, except as amended in this chapter and in Chapter 15.04 CMC. (Ord. 2022-04 § 2, 2022; Ord. 2020-01 § 1, 2020; amended during 4/17 update; Ord. 2014-02 § 1, 2014; Ord. 2013-07 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2010-05 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2008-02 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2003-03 § 2, 2003; Ord. 99-04 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 96-1 § 1, 1996; Ord. 91-1 § 1, 1991; Code 1975 § 1161.0).
15.36.015 Electrical Fee Schedule.
Every applicant for an electrical permit shall pay a fee as prescribed in the City’s fee schedule adopted by resolution of the City Council prior to issuance of the permit. The electrical permit fee for single-family residential construction, when the work is part of work covered by a building permit, shall be included as part of that building permit fee. The valuation of all electrical work shall be included in the project valuation submitted on the application form. (Ord. 2018-03 § 1 (Exh. A § 4), 2018).
15.36.020 Placement of Service Laterals.
A. Within all land use zones, all electrical service laterals to any new building or structure, or to any building or structure being remodeled when such remodeling requires the relocation or replacement of the property owner’s main service equipment, shall be placed underground on the premises upon which the building or structure is located, in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and tariffs on file with the California Public Utilities Commission.
Exceptions to undergrounding of utilities for remodeling:
1. Undergrounding of utilities will not be required when a valuation is less than $200,000. The permit applicant shall submit contractor bids and other documentation verifying that the valuation is under $200,000 upon request by the Building Official. The valuation of $200,000 shall apply to all construction over a cumulative five-year period prior to and/or after installation of a main electrical service panel.
2. Undergrounding of utilities will not be required when it is determined by the City Forester that the undergrounding operation will damage or destroy significant tree(s); provided, that the property owner posts a bond in an amount equal to the estimated cost of the undergrounding work. The bond shall be maintained until such time that the service lateral is placed underground.
B. The property owner shall be responsible for compliance with this section and shall make the necessary arrangements with the public utilities involved.
C. When an addition is made to, or alteration made in, an existing building, all new electrical work and all existing electrical work repaired or changed shall be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2022-04 § 2, 2022; Ord. 2018-03 § 1 (Exh. A § 4), 2018; Ord. 2017-04 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 91-1 § 1, 1991; Ord. 89-29 § 1, 1989; Code 1975 § 1162).
15.36.025 Plan Review Fee.
A plan review fee shall be charged for review of all construction documents pertaining to an electrical permit application. The fee shall be 65 percent of the electrical permit fee normally charged at the time of issuance. This fee shall be collected upon the submittal of the application by the applicant and may be adjusted as necessary during the plan review process. The plan review fee for electrical work associated with a building permit for a single-family dwelling shall be included in the building permit plan review fee. (Ord. 2018-03 § 1 (Exh. A § 4), 2018).
15.36.030 Duties of the Building Official.
A. It shall be the duty of the Building Official to review and approve all applications for electrical permits within the City. Applications shall include plans, specifications, and calculations for the electrical work proposed demonstrating compliance with the California Electrical Code and other codes and ordinances of the City. A plan review fee equal to 65 percent of the estimated valuation of the work shall be paid upon submittal of an application for an electrical permit. A permit fee as prescribed in the City fee resolution shall be paid prior to issuance of the permit.
B. It shall be the duty of the Building Official to periodically inspect electrical work conducted under a permit from the City in accordance with CMC 15.36.050.
C. It shall be the duty of the Building Official to inspect and take appropriate enforcement action to correct electrical code violations reported to the Building Official. Enforcement action shall be as described under the enforcement provisions of the CMC. When, in the opinion of the Building Official or Fire Code Official, any electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus or equipment is found to be defective and to pose an immediate threat to health and safety, the Building/Fire Code Official shall notify the owner and occupant of the building in which such threat exists to cease using electric current in such wiring, appliances, apparatus or equipment until it has been inspected and found safe by the Building Official. The Building Official/Fire Code Official shall also have the authority to order that service utilities be disconnected in accordance with the California Building and Fire Codes.
D. The Building Official is authorized to give written notice to the person, firm or corporation supplying electric current to any such defective electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus or construction to cease supplying the same until the defective condition is remedied and the person, firm or corporation supplying such electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus or construction shall cease supplying the same until the said defective condition is remedied. (Ord. 2018-03 § 1 (Exh. A § 4), 2018; Ord. 91-1 § 1, 1991; Code 1975 § 1162.1).
15.36.040 Authority to Render Electric Service.
A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, excepting an authorized agent or employee of a person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of furnishing or supplying electricity and whose service wires supply or connect with the particular premises, to turn on or reconnect electric service in or on any premises where and when electric service is at the time not being rendered.
B. It is unlawful to turn on or connect electricity in or on any premises unless all conductors are properly and securely connected to approved electric fixtures or are located or treated in a manner to prevent accidental contact with live wires, and authorization has been granted in accordance with subsection (C).
C. In no case shall an electric service or supply be connected or reconnected unless inspected and a certificate of approval has been issued by the Building Official authorizing the connection or reconnection.
D. All electrical service cables and feeder sizing to all related distribution and overcurrent protection panels shall be sized in accordance with the rating of the panel as specified on the approved manufacturer’s rating label. (Ord. 92-24, 1992; Ord. 91-1 § 1, 1991; Code 1975 § 1162.2).
15.36.050 Inspections.
It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the electrical permit to call for an inspection of all wiring, boxes, devices and apparatus that will be hidden from view and such part of the wiring installation shall not be concealed until it has been inspected and approved. The Building Official may approve the connection and use of temporary work or certain specific portions of an incomplete installation. Such approval shall be revocable at the discretion of the Building Official if, in her/his opinion, the installation becomes or is used in a hazardous or dangerous manner. The Building Official shall have the power to remove, or require the removal of, any obstruction which prevents proper inspection of any electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment. Upon completion of the work authorized by the electrical permit, it shall be the duty of the person who installed such work to notify the Building Official of such completion. The completed work shall be inspected and if found to comply with the provisions of the California Electric Code, it shall be approved and authority granted for its use and its connection to the source of supply. The Building Official shall notify the electrical utility furnishing the electrical service of authority to make connection thereto. (Ord. 99-04 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 91-1 § 1, 1991; Code 1975 § 1162.4).
15.36.060 Electrical Permit Fees.
The electrical permit fee for single-family residential construction, when the work is part of work covered by any building permit, shall be included as part of that building permit fee. (Ord. 99-04 (Exh. B), 1999).
15.36.070 Lighting Requirements.
A. Commercial Buildings/Zones.
1. All light fixtures shall not be directed toward the public right-of-way.
2. Lighting intensity shall not exceed eight-candlefoot power at a point two feet beyond the storefront windows as measured in a vertical or horizontal plane three feet above the ground or public walking surface.
3. Lighting intensity within the interior of the store space shall not exceed 30-candlefoot power at any point visible from the public right-of-way as measured in a vertical or horizontal plane three feet above the floor or walking surface.
B. Residential Buildings/Zones.
1. All exterior lighting attached to the main building or any accessory building shall be no higher than 10 feet above the ground and not exceed 25 watts (incandescent equivalent) in power per fixture.
2. Landscape lighting shall not exceed 18 inches above the ground nor more than 15 watts (incandescent equivalent) per fixture and shall be spaced no closer than 10 feet apart. Landscape lighting shall not be used for tree, wall, fence or accent lighting of any type. The purpose of landscape lighting is to safely illuminate walkways and entrances to the subject property.
3. No exterior lighting is permitted on City property and may not be directed toward City property.
4. Flood-type lighting is prohibited at all times.
Exception: Flood-type lighting may be permitted with expressed written approval of the Planning Division and/or Building Official upon written request and used for the sole purpose of security and each fixture connected to a motion sensor. Each fixture shall be limited to 50 watts (incandescent equivalent) each. (Ord. 2017-04 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 2013-07 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 99-04 (Exh. B), 1999).