The object of the provisions of this article is to reduce personal hazards and fire hazards from electrical causes. To accomplish this objective, the requirements set forth in this article are intended to provide a minimum standard for electrical installation in the city.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-82, 2-19-96)

The provisions of this article shall not apply to installations in railway cars, automotive equipment, electrical railway companies, radio transmission stations, or to the generation, transmission or in distribution of electricity, or for the operation of signals.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-83, 2-19-96)

The provisions of this article shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to persons or to property caused by any defect therein; nor shall the city, or any officer or employee of such city, be held as assuming such liability by reason of the inspection or reinspection authorized in this article or the certificate of approval issued as provided in this article or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment authorized in this article.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-84, 2-19-96)

(a)

The position of electrical inspector is hereby created in and for the city.

(b)

The electrical inspector shall be appointed by the city manager. He shall serve at the will and pleasure of the city manager.

(c)

During the temporary absence or disability of the electrical inspector, the city manager shall designate an acting electrical inspector.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-96, 2-19-96)

Cross reference— Officers and employees, § 2-36 et seq.

The electrical inspector shall not engage in the business of the sale, installation or maintenance of electrical equipment, either directly or indirectly. He shall have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such business while holding such office.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-100, 2-19-96)

(a)

It shall be the duty of the electrical inspector to enforce the provisions of this article. He shall make inspections of electrical installations as provided in this article. He shall keep complete records of all permits issued, inspections and reinspections made, and other official work performed in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(b)

Inspections required under the provisions of the electrical code shall be made by the electrical inspector or his duly appointed assistant. The electrical inspector may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services after investigation of their qualifications and reliability. No certificate called for by any provision of the electrical code shall be issued on such reports unless the reports are in writing and certified to by a responsible officer of such inspection service.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-101, 2-19-96)

The electrical inspector shall have the right during reasonable hours to enter any building or premises in the discharge of his official duties, for the purpose of making any inspections, reinspection or test of the electrical equipment contained therein or its installation.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-102, 2-19-96)

When any electrical installation or equipment is found by the electrical inspector to be dangerous to persons or to property because it is defective, or defectively installed, the person responsible for the electrical installation or equipment shall be notified in writing and shall make any change or repairs required in the judgment of the electrical inspector to place such equipment in safe condition. If such work is not completed within 15 days, or any longer period that may be specified by the electrical inspector in such notice, the electrical inspector shall have authority to disconnect or order the discontinuance of electrical service to such electrical installation or equipment. In case of emergency, where necessary for safety of persons or of property, or where electrical installation or equipment may interfere with the work of the fire department, the electrical inspector shall have the authority to immediately disconnect or cause the disconnection of any electrical equipment.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-103, 2-19-96)

The electrical inspector shall have the right to remove or compel the removal of any obstruction, such as lath, plastering, ceiling or flooring, which may hinder a full and complete investigation of such wires and apparatus. He may remove or compel the removal of any conductors which are enclosed in conduit or otherwise inaccessible for complete inspection. When such conductors or appliances are not in accordance with the requirements of this article, or found to be unsafe to life or property, he shall have the right to condemn such conductors or appliances as provided in this article.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-104, 2-19-96)

The electrical inspector shall have power to compel the suspension of any electrical work being done in a manner prohibited by this article.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-105, 2-19-96)

It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, obstruct or interfere with the electrical inspector or any of his deputies in the discharge of their duties under this article.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-106, 2-19-96)

There is hereby adopted for the city for the purpose of establishing minimum standards for the installation and construction of electrical wiring, devices and equipment that certain electrical code known as the National Electrical Code, 2024 edition, with all amendments and appendices thereto, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, save and except such portions as are deleted, modified, added or amended, of which one copy is filed with the city secretary. The code is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this section, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling in all electrical installations and construction within the city; save and except such portions of such code as may be inconsistent with this article.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-120, 2-19-96; Ord. No. 98-03, § 1, 1-19-98; Ord. No. 03-23, §§ 1, 2, 6-16-03; Ord. No. 2007-17, § 1, 4-16-07; Ord. No. 2014-19, § 6, 6-16-14; Ord. No. 2019-04, § 7, 2-18-19; Ord. No. 2024-27, § 13, 8-19-24; Ord. No. 2024-27, § 13, 8-19-24)

All electrical work or installations shall be in strict conformity with the provisions of this article, state law and rules and regulations issued thereunder, and shall be in conformity with approved standards of construction for safety to life and property. In every case where no specific type or class of material or no specific standard of construction is prescribed by this article or state law, conformity with the National Electrical Code, and other installation and safety regulations approved by the American Standards Association shall be prima facie evidence of conformity with approved standards of construction for safety to life and property.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-121, 2-19-96)

All electrical equipment installed or used in the city shall be in conformity with the provisions of this article, state law and rules and regulations issued thereunder, and with approved electrical standards for safety to persons and property. Unless by this article, state law and rules and regulations issued thereunder, a specific type or class of material is disapproved for installation and use, conformity with the standards approved by the American Standards Association shall be prima facie evidence of conformity with approved standards for safety to persons and property; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to equipment owned and used by an electrical supply or communication agency in the generation, transmission or distribution of electricity or for the operation of signals or for the transmission of intelligence.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-122, 2-19-96)

No electrical apparatus, fittings or material shall be used or placed on sale unless such apparatus, fittings or material is approved by the electrical inspector as complying with safety requirements of this article; provided, however, that all such apparatus, fittings or material which bears the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., shall be deemed prima facie evidence to satisfy the requirements of this article, and the electrical inspector is authorized to approve such apparatus, fittings or material without requiring further tests thereof to be made.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-123, 2-19-96)

All electrical work shall be executed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Slipshod work or work not in keeping with good electrical practice shall be classed as defective and shall be immediately corrected by persons causing such work.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-124, 2-19-96)

In general, any type of wiring system approved by the code adopted by section 14-416 may be used in the city, subject to the following additional requirements:

(1)

Residential service entrance conductors shall be No. 1 AWG with the main service disconnect or main over-current protection device rated at not less than 150 amperes.

(2)

No branch circuit shall be smaller than No. 12 wire.

(3)

Electrical metallic tubing or rigid conduit shall be used for all circuits in all construction classification types, for all commercial buildings, except Type V (see the 2018 IBC, Chapter 6, Types of Construction, Section 602.5, Type V). Metal-clad cable (type MC cable) may be used for retro fits or remodels up to ten feet and light whips up to six feet. In Construction Classification Type V, where walls/partitions are constructed of standard or engineered lumber, MC cable may be utilized — in lieu of electrical metallic tubing and/or rigid conduit — for electrical devices, such that each individual length from the fixed junction box does not exceed 40 lineal feet and is limited to 20 amperes, 110/120 V, single phase, for drops to branch circuit devices. Armored cable (type AC cable) (BX) is not allowed.

(4)

The use of copper wiring is required for all electrical wiring within the city.

(5)

A means for disconnecting service which permits the disconnection of electric service, shall be available for the premises wiring system of each building. The disconnecting means shall be located outside the premises, and there shall be a separate disconnecting means for the premises of each occupant of a multi-occupancy building. Bus entrance service or voltage greater than 480 volts must be approved by the electrical inspector.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-125, 2-19-96; Ord. No. 98-03, § 2, 1-19-98; Ord. No. 01-23, § 3, 7-16-01; Ord. No. 2019-04, § 8, 2-18-19)

It shall be unlawful for any person to do or to undertake to do any electrical work within the corporate limits unless licensed under this division, except where such person is expressly exempted from this article.

(Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-130), 10-20-97)

It shall be unlawful for any licensed electrician to allow any unlicensed electrician or unregistered apprentice to work at any job site or electrical installations project under his control or supervision.

(Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-131), 10-20-97)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 05-26, § 1, adopted Sept. 21, 2005, repealed §§ 14-443—14-455 which pertained to requirements for and provisions related to city licensing of electricians and derived from Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-132—14-143), adopted Oct. 20, 1997; and Ord. No. 01-23, § 1, adopted July 16, 2001.

The holder of any electrical license issued under V.T.C.A. Occupations Code, Ch. 1305, shall, when on the job site of any electrical installation, have in his immediate possession the wallet-size license identification as furnished by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Such license holder shall upon request present the license for identification to the electrical inspector or his assistants.

(Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-145), 10-20-97; Ord. No. 05-26, § 2, 9-21-05)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 05-26, § 1, adopted Sept. 21, 2005, repealed §§ 14-457—14-460 which pertained to requirements for and provisions related to city licensing of electricians and derived from Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-146—14-149), adopted Oct. 20, 1997.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any licensed electrician to perform or hold himself out as being able to perform any type or class of electrical work not expressly under coverage of his license.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise or to hold out or to state to the public or to any customer, either directly or indirectly, that any electrical work or installation complies with this article, unless such work has in fact been inspected and approved by the city electrical inspector.

(Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-150), 10-20-97)

Any person engaged in the electrical contracting business in the corporate limits shall display in a permanent way, on his trucks, vans or any other vehicles used in transporting materials and tools to and from any electrical job, the correct name and address of such person, which display shall be in lettering no smaller than three inches in height, readily visible and clearly legible at all times.

(Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-151), 10-20-97)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 05-26, § 1, adopted Sept. 21, 2005, repealed § 14-463 which pertained to duties of master electricians and derived from Ord. No. 97-27, § 1(4-152), adopted Oct. 20, 1997.

It shall be unlawful for any person to do, perform or construct any electrical work or installation within the city without having first obtained a permit therefor.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-170, 2-19-96)

No permit will be required under the provisions of this division to execute or perform any of the following classes of electrical work:

(1)

Replacing fuses or lamps or the connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed, or repairs to portable appliances.

(2)

Minor repair work, such as repairing or replacing flush and snap switches, receptacles and lamp sockets, or minor repairs on permanently connected electrical apparatus, appliances, fixtures or equipment or the installation of light globes.

(3)

The installation, maintenance or alteration of wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances or equipment for telephone or telephone signal service or central station protective service used in conveying signals or intelligence, except where electrical work is done on the primary side of the source of power at a voltage over 50 volts and of more than 500 watts.

(4)

The installation, maintenance or alteration of electrical wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances or equipment by a public electric service company for the use of such company in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale or utilization of electrical energy. However, a public electric service company shall not do any wiring on a customer's premises, other than wiring which is a part of the company's distribution system, including metering equipment wherever located and transformer vaults in which the company's transformers are located, nor shall any of its employees do any work other than that done for the company as provided for in this section, by virtue of this exemption.

(5)

The installation of temporary wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances or equipment used by a recognized school in teaching electricity.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-171, 2-19-96)

Before proceeding with the installation, alteration of or the addition to any electrical wiring or equipment within or on any building, structure or premises, publicly or privately owned in the city, the master electrician in charge of such proposed work shall first file with the electrical inspector an application requesting inspection and secure a permit therefor. Such application shall be made in writing, shall describe the work to be done, shall give the exact street number of the premises on which work is to be done, approximate date the inspection is desired, the name of the owner or occupant, the name of the master electrician undertaking the work, the names of all journeymen and apprentice electricians who will be on the site, and the class of wiring.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-172, 2-19-96)

On all applications for permits required under the provisions of this division, where plans and specifications require installation above the minimum standards as set forth in this article, the plans and specifications for such work shall accompany the application for the permit. No deviation may be made from installation described in such plans and specifications without the written approval of the owner or architect.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-173, 2-19-96)

(a)

The application for a permit required by the provisions of this division shall be accompanied by the fees established in the duly adopted schedule of fees.

(b)

Whenever a second or additional inspection is required to be made by the electrical inspector because of an incorrect address or defective workmanship, an additional charge as specified in the schedule of fees will be made for each such inspection.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-174, 2-19-96)

(a)

The master electrician in charge of any work being performed under a permit required by this division shall at all times keep the electrical inspector notified of the progress of the work and shall request inspections as the work progresses. After inspecting the electrical wiring covered by any application, the electrical inspector shall leave a tag, which tag shall state that the work has been inspected and approved or that it is not approved and must be held open for correction or the master electrician notified, and if the wiring is to be held open for inspection, no person shall lath, ceil or, in any other manner, conceal any wiring until informed that such wiring has been approved by the electrical inspector.

(b)

The master electrician shall have all electrical work installed by him inspected before such work is covered or concealed. All cabinet and panel board covers or trims shall be left off for final inspection, any fitting or cover that conceals any wiring which may hinder the proper inspection of electrical work shall be removed by the master electrician at the request of the electrical inspector.

(c)

The electrician shall be responsible for any defect of any construction, insofar as correction thereof is concerned, installed by him until such time as a certificate of approval has been issued. Any and all defects that may have been concealed by such person and discovered by the electrical inspector after a certificate of approval has been issued by the electrical inspector approving such construction shall be corrected by such person. After the issuance of the certificate of approval, the person in whose name the meter is connected shall be responsible for all defects caused by such person.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-175, 2-19-96; Ord. No. 05-26, § 3, 9-21-05)

Any master electrician making extensions or additions to existing electrical systems shall, before proceeding with such work, ascertain from the electrical inspector whether any of the old work must be changed or must be brought up to the requirements of this article.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-176, 2-19-96)

(a)

Upon completion and receipt of final inspection papers covering electrical work, the electrical inspector shall make a final inspection. If such work is found to comply with this article, a certificate of inspection shall be issued stating that the work has been done according to the provisions of this article and the rules governing the respective class to which it belongs.

(b)

This certificate shall not relieve the master electrician of his responsibility for any defective work that may have been concealed or escaped the notice of the inspector.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-177, 2-19-96)

It shall be unlawful for any public service company operating in the city to furnish current to any new building, tent, structure or outdoor wiring of any kind, nature or description, without first obtaining a clearance from the electrical inspector, stating that such wiring is approved and a permit has been Issued for the use of current. Whenever any service is discontinued to any building structure for any cause whatever, excepting nonpayment of bill, a clearance will be necessary before such building or structure can be reconnected.

(Ord. No. 96-02, art. II, § 4-178, 2-19-96)