CHAPTER 2
ELECTRICAL CODE
(Added by O-53; Amended by O-301; O-361; O-362; O-428; O-711; O-1673; O-1896; O-3004; O-3139; O-3204)
ARTICLE 1 - 2022 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
(Added by O-3909)
82.1.1 ADOPTION OF 2022 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE.
Those certain documents in book form entitled California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, published by The National Fire Protection Association and The California Building Standards Commission, not less than one (1) copy of which has been and is now filed in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Torrance, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by the ordinance codified in this article, are hereby adopted by the City Council of the City of Torrance as the Electrical Code of the City of Torrance.
ARTICLE 2 - AMENDMENTS TO THE 2022 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
(Added by O-3909)
82.2.1 ANNEX H ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT. [ADMINISTRATIVE]
Articles 80.1 through 80.13 and 80.17 through 80.25 of Annex H Administration and Enforcement of the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, are hereby adopted in their entirety and Article 80.18 is added.
Article 80.18 Permits Required. Except as specified in Article 80.19 (C)(1)(2), no electrical system regulated by this code shall be installed, altered, repaired, replaced or remodeled unless a separate electrical permit for each building, structure system or equipment has first been obtained from the Building Official.
82.2.2 USED MATERIALS.
Article 90.10 of the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, is hereby added to read in its entirety as follows:
Article 90.10 Used Material. Previously used materials shall not be reused in any work without the written approval obtained in advance from the Building Official.
82.2.3 ALUMINUM CONDUCTORS. [GEOLOGICAL]
Article 90.11 of the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, is hereby added to read in its entirety as follows:
Article 90.11 Aluminum Conductors. Aluminum conductors shall not be allowed.
82.2.4 USES NOT PERMITTED. [GEOLOGICAL]
Article 334.12(A) Subsections 11 and 12 of the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, are added to read in its entirety as follows:
Article 334.12(A) Uses Not Permitted. Types NM, NMC and NMS cables shall not be permitted as follows:
11. In any residential structure exceeding two floors above grade or in any nonresidential structure.
12. For the Purpose of this article, the first floor of a building shall be that floor that has 50 percent or more of the exterior wall surface area level with or above finished grade. One additional level that is the first level and not designed for human habitation and used only for vehicle parking, storage, or similar use shall be permitted.
82.2.5 WIRING METHODS [CLIMATIC]
Article 690.31 (A) Subsection 1 of the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, is hereby added to read in its entirety as follows:
Article 690.31 (A) Wiring Methods.
1. PV Source circuit conductors and PV output circuit conductor shall be protected from physical damage when installed outside the array. (RMC) Rigid Metal Conduit.
82.5.1 FEES.
(Amended by O-3363)
Fees for the issuance of an electrical permit shall be set by resolution of the City Council adopted from time to time.
82.5.2 DOUBLE FEES.
Any person who shall commence any electrical work for which a permit is required by this Chapter without first having obtained a permit therefor shall, if subsequently permitted to obtain a permit, pay double the permit fee fixed by this Section for such work, provided that this provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Chief Electrical Inspector that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefor before the commencement of work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such a permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be charged.
82.5.3 EXEMPTIONS FROM FEES.
The requirements for fees contained in this Code shall not apply when the collection of such fees is legally prohibited by other laws or ordinances. A fee shall not be required for the issuance of a permit to perform work regulated by this Code in a structure designed and used exclusively as an emergency fallout shelter.
82.5.4 REFUND.
In the event that any person shall have obtained a permit and no portion of the work or construction covered by such permit shall have been commenced or such permit shall have been canceled without any work having been done as provided for in Section 82.3.4. or Section 82.3.5., the permittee, upon presentation to the Chief Electrical Inspector of a request therefor in writing on a special form shall be entitled to a refund in an amount equal to eighty (80) percent of the fee actually paid for such permit. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall satisfy himself to the right of such applicant to such refund, and each such refund shall be paid as provided by law for the payment of claims against the City.