Chapter 16.05
AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE

Sections:

16.05.010    Amendments to the National Electric Code (hereinafter referred to as the “NEC”).

16.05.010 Amendments to the National Electric Code (hereinafter referred to as the “NEC”).

A.    The National Electrical Code is amended by addition of Article 80—Administrative which reads as follows:

80-1 EXISTING BUILDINGS. Buildings or structures to which additions, alterations or repairs are made to electrical system, including any and all electrical wires, services, equipment and apparatus shall comply with all the requirements for new work in buildings and structures as set forth in this Code except as specifically provided for in this section.

(a) In the event of unsafe or hazardous wiring, Section 11 shall take precedence.

80-2 MAINTENANCE. All electrical wires, equipment and apparatus shall be maintained in a safe condition. All devices and safeguards which are required by this Code in a building, sign or structure when erected, altered or repaired shall be maintained in a safe and good working order. The owner or his agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of all such electrical wiring, equipment and apparatus.

80-3 MOVED BUILDINGS. All electrical wires, equipment, or apparatus within or on, or attached thereto, which are moved within or into the City shall comply with the provisions of this Code and all other applicable laws, codes and ordinances.

80-4 ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY AND ASSISTANTS. The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this Code. For such purpose he/she shall have the powers of a police officer. In accordance with procedure and with the approval of the chief appointing authority of the City, the Building Official may appoint such number of officers, inspectors and assistants and other employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of this Code.

80-5 RIGHT-OF-ENTRY. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this Code, or whenever the Building Official or his/her authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the Building Official or his/her authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the Building Official by this Code, provided that if such building or premises be occupied, he/she shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises be unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the Building Official or his/her authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

When the Building Official or his/her authorized representative shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the Building Official or his/her authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this Code.

80-6 STOP ORDERS. Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this Code, the Building Official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in doing or causing such work to be done and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Building Official to proceed with the work.

80-7 LIABILITY. See Sections 1 and 2 of Ordinance No. 287-74 (EMC 2.72.080 and 2.72.090).

80-8 UNSAFE CONDITIONS. All electrical wires, equipment and apparatus which are unsafe or not provided with adequate safeguards, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to safety or health, or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster damage, or abandonment, as specified in this Code or any other effective ordinance are for the purpose of this section, considered unsafe conditions. All such unsafe conditions are hereby declared to be public nuisances and the owner or his agent must abate by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal in accordance with this Code or by any other procedures provided by law.

80-9 BOARD OF REVIEW. See Section 16.005.030.

80-10 VIOLATION. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to install, alter or extend any electrical equipment in the City, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code.

80-11 PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS.

(a) Permits required: No person, firm or corporation shall install, alter, replace or extend any electrical work or equipment except replacement of kind or as provided for in Section 105.2.1, International Building Code, “Emergency Repairs,” without first obtaining a separate electrical permit for each installation, alteration, replacement or extension from the Building Official.

(b) Application: To obtain a permit the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for that purpose. Every such application shall:

(1) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made;

(2) Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done, by house and street address;

(3) Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;

(4) Be accompanied by plans and specifications as required in Subsection (d) of this section;

(5) State the valuation of the proposed work;

(6) Be signed by the permittee;

(7) Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the Building Official.

(c) To Whom Permits May Be Issued: A permit may be issued to anyone as permitted by Chapter 19.28 RCW.

(d) Plans and Specifications: With each application for a permit, and when required by the Building Official for enforcement of any provisions of this Code, two sets of plans, service diagrams, specifications, and other information deemed necessary by the Building Official, shall be submitted. The Building Official may require plans and specifications to be prepared and designed by an electrical engineer or electrical contractor licensed by the State to practice as such. The plans shall be drawn upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this Code and all other relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

(e) Plan Checking: The application, plans and specifications filed by the applicant for a permit shall be checked by the Building Official. If the Building Official is satisfied that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans filed therewith conform to the requirements of this Code and other pertinent laws and ordinances and that the fee specified in Section 80-12 has been paid, he may issue a permit therefor to the applicant.

(f) Validity: The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of the Code or any other law or regulation. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code shall be valid, except insofar as the work which it authorized is lawful.

The issuance of a permit based upon plans and specifications shall not prevent the Building Official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans and specifications or from preventing work being carried on thereunder when in violation of the Code or of any other ordinance of the City.

(g) Suspension or Revocation: The Building Official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under provisions of this Code whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this Code.

(h) Inspections:

(1) All construction, work and equipment, for which a permit is required by this Code shall be subject to inspections by the Building Official to insure compliance with this Code.

(2) That portion of any construction, work and equipment intended to be concealed shall not be concealed until inspected and approved.

(3) Neither the City nor the Building Official nor his duly appointed assistant shall be liable for any expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow an inspection.

(4) The Building Official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one day before such inspection is desired.

80-12 VIOLATION CITATION—ORDER. See Section 16.005.030.

(Ord. 3320-13 § 1, 2013; Ord. 3196-10 Part 7 § 1, 2010)