Chapter 13.50
ELECTRICAL CODE

Sections:

13.50.010    Electrical codes adopted.

13.50.020    Effect of title on existing wiring.

13.50.030    Amendments.

13.50.010 Electrical codes adopted.

(1) Adoption by reference. The following codes, as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended, are all adopted as amended, added to, or excepted in this title, together with all amendments and additions provided in this title, and shall be applicable within the city:

(a) The National Electrical Code (NEC), 2008 Edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association;

(b) The laws, rules and regulations for installing electrical wiring and equipment set forth in Chapter 19.28 RCW;

(c) The following chapters of the Washington Administrative Code:

(i) Chapter 296-43 WAC, Heating Installation;

(ii) Chapter 296-45 WAC, Safety Standards, Electrical Workers;

(iii) Chapter 296-46(B) WAC, Electrical Safety Standards, Administration, and Installation.

(2) Purpose. This title is enacted as an exercise of police power of the city for the benefit of the public at large. It is not intended to create a special relationship with any individual, or individuals, or to identify and protect any particular class of persons. The purpose of this title is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare, by regulating and controlling building construction and work related thereto.

(Ord. No. 09-590, § 1, 2-3-09; Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07; Ord. No. 04-465, § 16, 10-5-04; Ord. No. 98-320, § 13, 9-15-98; Ord. No. 95-232, § 1, 4-18-95. Code 2001 § 5-320.)

13.50.020 Effect of title on existing wiring.

The provisions of this title are not intended to apply to electrical installations in existence at the time of its adoption, except in those cases which, in the opinion of the building official, are found to be dangerous to life or property, and except as is otherwise specifically provided in this title.

(Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07; Ord. No. 98-320, § 13, 9-15-98; Ord. No. 95-232, § 1, 4-18-95. Formerly 5-322. Code 2001 § 5-321.)

13.50.030 Amendments.

The following amendments to the codes adopted in FWRC 13.50.010 are hereby adopted:

(1) Section 204 of the Uniform Administrative Code, Appeals, as adopted by this title, is hereby amended to read as follows:

204.1 General. Appeals of decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this Code, except orders, rulings or decisions pertaining to enforcement of this Code, shall be made to the hearing examiner pursuant to FWRC 13.05.060.

204.2 Limits of Authority. The hearing examiner shall have no authority relative to the interpretation of the administrative provisions of this Code nor shall the hearing examiner be empowered to waive requirements of this Code.

204.3 Enforcement. Civil enforcement of the provisions of this Code and the terms and conditions of any permit or approval issued pursuant to this Code shall be governed by Chapter 1.15 FWRC, Civil Enforcement of Code. Civil enforcement is in addition to, and does not limit any other forms of, enforcement available to the city including, but not limited to, criminal sanctions as specified herein or in Chapters 1.10 and 1.15 FWRC, nuisance and injunction actions, or other civil or equitable actions to abate, discontinue, correct or discourage unlawful acts in violation of this Code.

(2) Section 301.1.3 of the Uniform Administrative Code Provisions for the NEC is amended to read as follows:

(b) Exempt work. An electrical permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug end to be connected to an approved receptacle when that cord or cable is permitted by this Code.

2. Repair or replacement of fixed motors, transformers or fixed approved appliances of the same type and rating in the same locations.

3. Temporary decorative lighting.

4. Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contractor or control device.

5. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlet therefor.

6. Repair and replacement of any overcurrent device of the required capacity in the same location.

7. Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems.

8. Taping joints.

9. Removal of electrical wiring.

10. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.

11. The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.

12. A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment or the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of electrical energy or in the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence by a public or private utility in the exercise of its functions as a serving utility.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances of the jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07; Ord. No. 99-342, § 6, 5-4-99; Ord. No. 98-320, § 13, 9-15-98; Ord. No. 95-232, § 1, 4-18-95. Code 2001 § 5-322.)