Chapter 15.36
ELECTRICAL CODE*
Sections:
15.36.010 Adoption.
15.36.020 Placement of Service Laterals.
15.36.030 Duties of the Building Official.
15.36.040 Authority to Render Electric Service.
15.36.050 Inspections.
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 2010 California Electrical Code, based on the National Electric 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. 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).
15.36.020 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.
B. Where compliance with the foregoing requirement is not economically or physically feasible, the Building Official may permit different arrangements for electric service. 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. 91-1 § 1, 1991; Ord. 89-29 § 1, 1989; Code 1975 § 1162).
15.36.030 Duties of the Building Official.
A. It shall be the duty of the Building Official to inspect all electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus or construction from time to time, and if any part of any electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus or construction in or about any building in the City shall be found to be dangerous to life or property, the Building Official shall have the right and power, and it shall be her/his duty, to notify the owner or occupant of the building in which such electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus or construction is contained to cease using electric current in such wiring, appliances, apparatus or construction, and to have the defective condition or conditions remedied within 15 days from the date of notice.
B. 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. 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 in power per fixture.
2. Landscape lighting shall not exceed 18 inches above the ground nor more than 15 watts 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 upon 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 each. (Ord. 99-04 (Exh. B), 1999).