Chapter 3.17
ELECTRIC WIRING
Sections:
3.17.040 Electrical inspector – Duties.
3.17.080 Permit – Requirements.
3.17.120 Permit fee – Amount – Exception.
3.17.160 Rules and regulations – Adoption by reference – Conformance.
3.17.200 Inspections – Approval – Exception.
3.17.240 Defective apparatus – Authority of electrical inspector.
3.17.280 Concealed wiring – Inspection – Violation.
3.17.320 Penalty for violation.
3.17.040 Electrical inspector – Duties.
There is hereby created the office of electrical inspector whose duty it shall be to see that all the provisions of this chapter are complied with, issue permits for the operation, erection, construction, alteration or change of any electrical work or wiring and to issue certificates of inspection of said work or wiring when completed. The electrical inspector may appoint, and at pleasure remove, such deputies as he may deem necessary to assist him in the performance of the duties imposed by this chapter. [Ord. 2445 § 1, 1960.]
3.17.080 Permit – Requirements.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to commence the placing or construction of electrical wires, electrical appliances or machinery in any building within the city of Ellensburg without first obtaining from the electrical inspector of said city a permit so to do. However, where a licensed electrician is employed or a licensed electrical contractor is engaged to do maintenance, extension or repair work, he may proceed with electrical wiring and/or repairs before obtaining a permit; provided:
A. The person, firm or corporation first obtains from the electrical inspector written consent to do work before obtaining a permit, such consent to be effective until revoked by the electrical inspector.
B. A complete written record of all electrical work shall be kept. At the end of each calendar month, or oftener, permit or permits shall be applied for and taken out for all electrical work requiring permits.
Exceptions: No permit shall be required:
1. Repairs and Installation.
a. For repairs consisting of replacing wiring including conduit, with like size, repairing or replacing fixtures and/or appliances of like wattage or motors of like horsepower.
b. For the installation, alteration or repair of wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for the operation of signal or the transmission of intelligence, where such wiring, device, appliance or equipment operate at a voltage not to exceed 50 volts between conductors and does not include generating or transforming equipment capable of supplying 50 watts of energy or less.
c. For the installation, alteration, repair or maintenance of equipment by a railway, electric or communication utility in the exercise of its function as a utility, and located outdoors or in buildings used exclusively for that purpose.
2. Permit to Owner.
a. A permit to perform electrical work in or about his own building shall be issued to an owner; provided, that all the work thereunder shall be performed by the owner. The inspector, however, shall not issue such permit unless the person who is to perform the work be named in the permit and appears before the inspector and shows by answering such questions as may be asked by the inspector or otherwise, that he has sufficient knowledge of the matter to properly perform such work.
b. If such work, or any portion thereof, shall not conform to the requirements of this chapter, the inspector may require that such work or portion thereof be changed, altered or repaired by a licensed contractor at the expense of the owner. A permit under such circumstances shall be issued (without fee) to such contractor and the permit to the owner shall be canceled.
3. Permit to Public Building. The inspector may issue a permit to a school, church or public building regularly employing a qualified electrician or maintenance engineer for the repair or replacement of wiring, apparatus or fixtures in any building.
4. Limitation of Permits. Electrical permits will expire and become null and void if the work authorized by the issuance of the permit or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 120 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained so to do, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided further, that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. [Ord. 2586 § 1, 1965; Ord. 2445 § 2, 1960.]
3.17.120 Permit fee – Amount – Exception.
Where work for which a permit is required by this chapter is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining a permit, the fee specified shall be doubled, except as otherwise provided in ECC 3.17.080.
Exception: The penalty clause will not apply to electrical work classified as emergency work or minor additions or alterations, provided an application for a permit is filed with the electrical inspector within 24 hours after the electrical work has been started.
The fee shall be based on the cost of the electrical work and materials to be furnished or installed:
|
Less than $25.00 |
No fee, except on circuits with 200 volts or more |
|
$25.00 to $100.00 |
$1.00 |
|
$101.00 to $300.00 |
$2.00 |
|
$301.00 to $600.00 |
$3.00 |
|
$601.00 to $1,000 |
$4.00 |
|
For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof |
$2.00 |
The permit fee for any purely temporary electrical service shall be $2.00. “Temporary service” shall mean service provided for not longer than 12 months, which is not intended by the person using such service to be permanent.
Appliances, fixtures and motors shall not be included in estimating valuation for computing fees. [Ord. 2586 § 2, 1965; Ord. 2445 § 3, 1960.]
3.17.160 Rules and regulations – Adoption by reference – Conformance.
A. All electrical construction and all materials and appliances used in connection with electrical work, and the operation of all electrical apparatus in buildings in the city of Ellensburg, shall conform to the rules and regulations set forth in the 1962 Edition of the National Electric Code, Chapter 19.28 RCW, and the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries Rules and Regulations for Installing Electric Wires and Equipment, dated September 1, 1964. The code, statutes and rules and regulations are adopted as codes for the city of Ellensburg for the regulation of installation of electrical apparatus and wiring, and three copies of each shall remain on file in the office of the city clerk, and the same are referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this section.
B. Inspection Certificate. Whenever he is notified of the completion of the wiring or installation of electrical apparatus, the inspector shall as soon as possible, and within 48 hours after said notice, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, inspect or cause to be inspected said work and, if approved by him, he shall issue a certificate of the inspection which shall contain the date of the inspection and an outline of the result of such examination. He shall also, upon the final inspection of any work requiring or likely to require a meter or connection to service, issue a certificate of final and satisfactory inspection. [Ord. 3120 § 1, 1977; Ord. 2586, 1965; Ord. 2445 § 4, 1960.]
3.17.200 Inspections – Approval – Exception.
No electrical work or wiring for which a permit is issued or required shall be put to use or connected to service wires or any source of electrical energy until inspected and accepted by the electrical inspector, except as otherwise provided in ECC 3.17.080.
Exception: Repairs or additions to existing electrical systems with an approved entrance and meter socket may be connected prior to inspection and approval. [Ord. 2445 § 5, 1960.]
3.17.240 Defective apparatus – Authority of electrical inspector.
Any and all dynamos, motors, wires, machinery, apparatus and materials used for electric purposes which may at any time become so defective as to be likely, in the opinion of the electrical inspector, to cause fires or accidents or to endanger persons or property, shall be condemned by the inspector; and when, in his opinion, it is deemed necessary, in order to prevent such danger, said inspector is authorized to disconnect such wires or apparatus, or to cause the same to be disconnected from service, and such wiring or apparatus shall not be reconnected until the provisions of this chapter shall have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the electrical inspector. [Ord. 2445 § 6, 1960.]
3.17.280 Concealed wiring – Inspection – Violation.
No so-called “concealed wiring” shall be covered or lathed over or concealed from sight until the same has been duly inspected as provided for in ECC 3.17.120 and 3.17.160, and any person having charge of the construction, alteration or repair of any building, or any concealed or covered wiring, such shall be deemed a violator of this chapter and subject to the penalties as provided in ECC 3.17.320. [Ord. 2445 § 7, 1960.]
3.17.320 Penalty for violation.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $300.00, or shall be imprisoned in the city jail for a period of not exceeding 90 days, or shall be punished by both such fine and imprisonment. [Ord. 2445 § 8, 1960.]