ORD 11-09ORDINANCE NO.: 2011-09
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO
REGARDING ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
Section 1. Section 2-4-2.13.1 of the City Code is hereby amended to add the
following provisions:
C. Electrical Permit: The fess schedule set forth in Minnesota Statutes §
32613.37 is adopted by reference and incorporated herein.
Section 2. Chapter 4 of the City Code is hereby amended to add the following
provisions:
SECTION 6
ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS
Section:
4-6-1:
Purpose
4-6-2:
Electrical Inspector
4-6-3:
Standards for Electrical Equipment Installation
4-6-4:
Connections to Installations
4-6-5:
Permits and Inspections
4-6-1: Purpose:
A. The purpose of this Section is to implement the provisions of the Minnesota State
Building Code and Minnesota Rules Chapter 1315 which adopts the National
Electrical Code.
B. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all installations of electrical conductors,
fittings, devices, fixtures hereinafter referred to as "electrical equipment", within or
on public and private buildings and premises, with the following general exceptions.
1
The provisions of this Section do not apply to the installations in mines, ships,
railway cars, aircraft, automotive equipment or the installations or equipment
employed by a railway, electric or communication utility in the exercise of its
functions as a utility, except as otherwise provided in this Section.
C. As used in this Section, "reasonably safe to persons and property" as applied to
electrical installations and electrical equipment means safe to use in the service for
which the installation or equipment is intended without unnecessary hazard to life,
limb or property.
D. For purposes of interpretation of the provisions of this Section, the most recently
published edition of the National Electrical Code shall be prima facie evidence of
the definitions and scope of words and terms used in this Section.
4-6-2 Electrical Inspector:
A. There is hereby created the office of Electrical Inspector appointed by the City
Council.
B. Qualifications. The person chosen to fill the office of Electrical Inspector shall be of
good moral character, shall be possessed of such executive ability as is requisite
for the performance of his duties and shall have a thorough knowledge of the
standard materials and methods used in the installation of electrical equipment;
shall be well versed in approved methods of construction for safety to persons and
property; the statutes of the State relating to electrical work and any orders, rules
and regulations issued by authority thereof; and the National Electrical Code as
approved by the American Standards Association; shall have two (2) years'
experience as an electrical inspector or five (5) years' experience in the installation
of electrical equipment, or a graduate mechanical or electrical engineer with two (2)
years of practical electrical experience.
C. License Inspector. The electrical inspector shall be a licensed master or
journeymen electrician as defined under Minnesota Statutes.
D. Duties of the Electrical Inspector: It shall be the duty of the Inspector to enforce the
provisions of this Section. The Inspector shall, upon application, grant permits for
the installation or alteration of electrical equipment, and shall make inspections of
electrical installations, all as provided in this Section. The Inspector shall keep
complete records of all permits issued, inspections and reinsertions made and other
official work performed in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
2
E. No Financial Interest: It shall be unlawful for the Inspector to engage in the sale,
installation or maintenance of electrical equipment, directly or indirectly, and the
Inspector shall have no financial interest in any concern engaged in any such
business.
F. Authority of Electrical Inspector: The Inspector shall have the right during
reasonable hours to enter any building or premises in the discharge of his official
duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection, reinsertion or test of electrical
equipment contained therein or its installation. When any electrical equipment is
found by the Inspector to be dangerous to persons or property because it is
defective or defectively installed, the person responsible for the electrical equipment
shall be notified in writing and shall make any changes or repairs required in the
judgment of the Inspector to place such equipment in safe condition. If such work
is not completed within fifteen (15) days or any longer period that may be specified
by the Inspector in said notice, the Inspector shall have the authority to disconnect
or order discontinuance of electrical service to said electrical equipment. In cases
of emergency where necessary for safety to persons and property, or where
electrical equipment may interfere with the work of the Fire Department, the
Inspector shall have the authority to disconnect or cause disconnection immediately
of any electrical equipment.
4-6-3: Standards for Electrical Equipment Installation:
A. All installations of electrical equipment shall be reasonably safe to persons and
property and in conformity with the provisions of this Section and the applicable
statutes of the State and all orders, rules and regulations issued by the authority
thereof. All electrical equipment shall be listed and labeled by a testing agency.
B. Conformity of installations of electrical equipment with applicable regulations set
forth in the current National Electrical Code as adopted by the Minnesota Rules
shall be prima facie evidence that such installations are reasonably safe to persons
and property. Noncompliance with the provisions of this Section or the National
Electrical Code as adopted by the Minnesota Rules shall be prima facie evidence
that the installation is not reasonably safe to persons and property.
C. The Electrical Inspector may, with approval of the Building Official, authorize
installations of special wiring methods other than herein provided for.
D. Buildings or structures moved from without to within and within the limits of the City
shall conform to all of the requirements of this Code for new buildings or structures.
E. Existing buildings or structures hereafter changed in use shall conform in all
3
respects to the requirements of this Section for the new use.
4-6-4: Connections to Installations:
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to make connections from a supply of electricity
to any electrical equipment for the installation of which a permit is required or which
has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the Electrical Inspector.
B. The public or private utility providing services shall disconnect the same upon a
written order from the Electrical Inspector, if the Inspector considers any electrical
installation unsafe to life and property or installed contrary to this Code.
4-6-5: Permits and Inspectors:
A. Permit Required: An electrical permit is required for each installation, alteration,
addition or repair of electrical work for light, heat and power within the limits of the
City. Permits for the installation of electrical work in new structures shall only be
issued to electrical contractors duly licensed by the State. Permits for the
installation, alteration, addition or repair of electrical work in existing structures shall
only be issued to electrical contractors duly licensed by the State or to resident
owners of property where the work is to be done.
B. Public Service Corporation Exception: No permit shall be required for electrical
installations of equipment owned, leased, operated or maintained by a public
service corporation which is used by said corporation in the performance of its
function as a utility, except that such electrical installation shall conform to the
minimum standards of the National Electrical Safety Code.
C. Ownership: Ownership of any transmission or distribution lines or appurtenances
thereto, including, but not limited to, transformers, shall not be transferred by a
public service corporation to any person, except another franchised public service
corporation dealing in electric energy for distribution and sale, without a permit first
having been issued therefore by the City. Such permit shall be issued only after the
facilities to be transferred have been inspected and approved as provided in this
Section and upon payment of an inspection fee as set forth in this Section of the
Section.
D. Application: Application for such permit, describing the electrical work to be done,
shall be made in writing, to the City by the person so registered to do such work.
The application shall be accompanied by such plans, specifications and schedules
as may be necessary to determine whether the electrical installation as described
will be in conformity with all the legal requirements. The fees for electrical
inspection as set forth in Section 2-4-2.13 of the City Code shall accompany such
in
application. If applicant has complied with all of the provisions of this Section, a
permit for such electrical installation shall be issued.
E. Concealment: All electrical installations which involve the concealment of wiring or
equipment shall have a "rough -in" inspection prior to concealment, wherein the
Inspector shall be duly notified in advance, excluding Saturday, Sunday and
holidays.
F. Inspection Fees:
Permits Required: Before commencing any installation of any work regulated by
this Section, a permit therefore shall be secured from the Building Department
and the fee for such permit set forth by Section 2-4-2.B of the City Code paid.
No such permit shall be issued to do any of the work or make any installation
regulated by this Section except to persons licensed to do such work under the
terms of this Section. Holders of a contractor's license shall not obtain permits
for electrical work unless the work is supervised by them and is performed by
workers employed by them or their firm.
2. Fees Double, When: Should any person begin work of any kind, such as set
forth in this Section, or for which a permit from the Electrical Inspector is
required by ordinance, without having secured the necessary permit therefore
from the Inspector of Buildings either previous to or during the day of the
commencement of any such work, or on the next succeeding day where such
work is commenced on a Saturday or on a Sunday or a holiday, he shall, when
subsequently securing such permit, be required to pay double the fees provided
for such permit.
3. Additional Fees and/or Shortages: Additional fees and/or fee shortages must be
received by the City within fourteen (14) days of written notice. If additional fees
and/or fee shortages are not received within fourteen (14) days of notice,
permits for electrical installations will not be accepted by the City until such time
as the additional fees and/or fee shortages are received.
G. Electrical Inspections:
1. At regular intervals, the Electrical Inspector shall visit all premises where work
may be done under annual permits and shall inspect all electrical equipment
installed under such a permit since the day of his last previous inspection, and
shall issue a certificate of approval for such work as is found to be in conformity
with the provisions of this Section, after the fee required has been paid.
2. When any electrical equipment is to be hidden from view by the permanent
placement of parts of the building, the person installing the equipment shall
notify the Electrical Inspector and such equipment shall not be concealed until it
has been inspected and approved by the Electrical Inspector or until twenty four
(24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, shall have elapsed
from the time of such scheduled inspection; provided, that on large installations
where the concealment of equipment proceeds continuously, the person
installing the electrical equipment shall give the Electrical Inspector due notice
and inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the work.
3. If upon inspection, the installation is not found to be fully in conformity with the
provisions of this Section, the Electrical Inspector shall at once forward to the
person making the installation a written notice stating the defects which have
been found to exist.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and publication.
MOTION BY: HEIDNER
SECOND BY: DARKENWALD
ALL IN FAVOR: HEIDNER, DARKENWALD, STOCKAMP AND SCHROEDER
THOSE OPPOSED: NONE
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 11th day of July,
2011.
ATTEST: C��n(�,l`�1�
i4l�
Tami Loff, City Clerk
on
CITY OF OTSEGO