[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of
the Village of Greendale by Ord. No.
691 (Ch. 16 of the Code of Ordinances); amended
in its entirety 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 916. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard life and property
by regulating and providing for the inspection of the installation
and condition of electrical wiring, equipment and devices for new
and remodeled one- and two-family homes, and farms, public buildings,
places of employment, campgrounds, manufactured home communities,
public marinas, piers, docks, or wharves, and recreational vehicle
parks and fixing a penalty for violation of the provisions of this
chapter.
There is hereby created the position of residential and commercial
Electrical Inspector(s). The Electrical Inspector(s) shall act under
the supervision of the Director of Inspection Services. The Electrical
Inspector(s) shall:
(1)
Perform inspections of residential, farm, and commercial properties
and such other duties as may be prescribed.
(2)
Have the general authority and control of all matters pertaining
to electrical inspections and enforce all state laws and Village ordinances
relating thereto.
(3)
In all respects comply with the provisions of Safety and Professional
Services, Ch. 316, Wis. Adm. Code.
(1)
The Electrical Inspector shall:
(a)
Be certified by the State of Wisconsin in the categories of
commercial electrical inspector (COMEL) and Uniform Dwelling Code
inspector (ELECT).
(b)
Be appointed by the Village Manager, subject to confirmation
by the Village Board.
(c)
Inspect or cause to be inspected all electrical work as outlined
in this chapter within the Village.
(2)
The Village may employ additional electrical inspectors as may be
necessary who shall at least be certified by the State of Wisconsin
in the category of Uniform Dwelling Code inspector (ELECT).
The Electrical Inspector(s) may enter any building or premises
in the discharge of his official duties for the purpose of making
any inspection or test of the electrical wires, equipment or devices
contained therein. The Electrical Inspector(s) shall be given access
to any premises upon request made to the owner or person in immediate
charge.
There shall be kept by the Electrical Inspector(s) a complete
record of all applications and permits, all inspections made and other
official work performed under this chapter, so arranged as to promptly
afford information concerning electrical installations.
Chapter SPS 316, Wis. Adm. Code, and all amendments thereto
are hereby adopted by reference and made a part hereof. Except as
otherwise regulated by this chapter, all installations of electrical
wiring and equipment shall conform to and comply with Chapter SPS
316, State Electrical Code, the Wisconsin Statutes and any orders,
rules and regulations issued by authority thereof and with approved
electrical standards for safety to persons and property.
(1)
The Electrical Inspector(s) shall inspect all sites within the Village
at which electrical work is performed, whether as initial installation,
addition, replacement, alteration or repair.
(2)
Upon the completion of the wiring on any building or before any wiring is to be hidden from view, it shall be the duty of the person doing the same to notify the Electrical Inspector(s), who shall inspect the installation within 48 hours of the time such notice is received. If, upon inspection, it is found that such installation is fully in compliance with this chapter and does not constitute a hazard to life or property, the Inspector shall approve the same and authorize concealment of such wiring or connection for electrical service. If the installation is incomplete or not strictly in accordance with this chapter, the Electrical Inspector(s) shall issue orders to the person installing the same to remove all hazards and make the necessary changes or additions. The necessary repairs or changes shall be completed within 30 days after the receipt of such orders. Concealment of electrical work before inspection or failure to comply with the order of the Electrical Inspector(s) shall constitute an offense punishable in accordance with the provisions of § 16.25.
(3)
A final inspection shall be required for all electrical installation
work for which an electrical permit was issued.
(4)
The person obtaining an electrical permit shall notify and provide
access to any building or property for inspections required by the
Electrical Inspector(s).
(5)
The Electrical Inspector(s) shall accept as existing any work which
was previously installed under permit and which conformed to all codes
and ordinances at the time of installation.
Whenever any electrical work is being done contrary to the provisions
of this chapter, the Electrical Inspector(s) may order the work stopped
by notice in writing served on any person(s) or firm engaged in the
doing or causing such work to be done, and any such person or firm
shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Electrical
Inspector(s) to commence and proceed with the work.
The Electrical Inspector(s) may order the disconnection of all
electrical current from any electrical system which is found to be
in an unsafe condition and order the disconnection of electrical current
in cases of emergency and where such electrical currents are dangerous
to life or property or may interfere with the work of the Fire Department.
No person shall reconnect any equipment thus cut off until permission
is given by the Electrical Inspector(s).
All requests for information pertaining to and involving an
interpretation of this chapter shall be submitted in writing to the
Electrical Inspector(s). The Electrical Inspector(s) shall not design
or lay out any electrical installation or act in the capacity of a
consulting engineer or designer.
(1)
License required. No person shall alter, install or repair electrical
wires and apparatus for any purpose whatsoever in the Village without
first having procured a license from the State of Wisconsin, except
as follows.
(2)
Exceptions. No license or permit shall be required for the following
work:
(a)
Maintenance personnel employed in public or private buildings
or one- and two-family homeowners shall be permitted to make minor
repairs. These shall include the replacement of switches, receptacles
and fixtures but shall not include the extension of circuits or the
adding, replacing or creating of new circuits.
(1)
The Electrical Inspector(s) shall issue permits for the installation
of electrical work as covered within the scope of the Wisconsin Electrical
Code upon the filing of proper applications, which shall be made on
forms furnished by the Electrical Inspector(s) and shall prescribe
the nature of the work as well as such other information as may be
required for inspection. In no case shall any such electrical work
be done unless a permit has been obtained.
(2)
Exceptions.
(a)
Any person manufacturing or repairing electrical apparatus and
equipment and employing a state-certified master electrician shall
not be required to have a permit for his testing equipment.
(b)
No permit shall be required for minor repair work such as repairing
drop cords, flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, or changing
light fixtures or lamp sockets.
(c)
No permit shall be required for portable devices such as grinders,
drills, portable signs, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, radios,
electric refrigerators, and similar devices not permanently wired
but intended to be connected to the circuit by a flexible cord and
plug. However, proper approved wiring is to be installed, together
with approved receptacle and plug.
(1)
Required.
(a)
No electrical work shall be done in the Village without a permit
being first issued by the Electrical Inspector(s) and the payment
of fees as set by the Village Board in the fee schedule on file at
the office of the Village Clerk.
(b)
The Village Board may amend the electrical permit fees from
time to time through the passage of a resolution.
(c)
All permit fees shall be paid to the Village Clerk, and no permit shall be issued or valid unless approved by an authorized agent of the Department of Inspection Services and the fee paid to the Village in the amount required for such permit. The fees for permits provided by this chapter shall become the property of the Village. If an electrical permit is issued and not used, only that portion of the permit fee in excess of $30 will be refunded. No permit fee shall be refunded for permits which have expired under the provisions of Subsection (4).
(2)
Restrictions. No further permits are to be issued to any state-licensed
electrical contractor until all arrears in fees have been paid and
all lawful orders issued by the Electrical Inspector(s) have been
complied with.
(4)
Expiration. Every permit issued by the Electrical Inspector under
the provisions of this chapter shall expire by limitation and become
null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced
for a period of four months and not completed within 12 months from
the date of issuance. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit
must first be obtained, and the fee therefor shall be 1/2 the amount
required for a first permit.
(1)
On applying for a permit for temporary work, a specified period of
time for which such wiring is to remain in service shall be stated,
but not exceeding 90 days. Service shall be cut off at the end of
this period and shall not again be connected without permission from
the Electrical Inspector(s). For buildings where conduit wiring is
required, special permits for temporary work may be granted by the
Electrical Inspector(s) for the installation of open work and exposed
wiring, lights, power for building operations, display, decorative
lighting, etc., for use for a limited period, subject to discontinuance
and complete removal at expiration and to condemnation and revocation
within such period.
(2)
Electrical installations for temporary structures or assemblies,
such as carnivals, picnics, circuses, festivals, side shows or sport
events, shall be in accordance with all provisions of Ch. SPS 316,
Wis. Adm. Code, and all other applicable laws and regulations.
In emergency work the person doing or causing such work to be
done shall report the same to the Electrical Inspector immediately
after beginning work, and such work shall be done in accordance with
this chapter.
No person shall keep or offer for sale or sell for use within
the Village any apparatus, equipment or fixtures designed or intended
to be used for the production, transmission or utilization of electrical
current or power if the apparatus, equipment or fixtures, when installed
for use, would be considered unsafe or dangerous as determined by
the Electrical Inspector(s).
(1)
All wiring shall be done according to the most recent version of
the Wisconsin State Electrical Code and this chapter.
(2)
The connection of replacement appliances and equipment such as furnaces,
signs, air compressors, air conditioners, water heaters and like equipment
shall constitute an extension of an existing or new branch circuit.
Such connections shall comply with the current Electrical Code.
(3)
Existing installations which have been declared a hazard to life
and property shall be made safe. Installation of any permanent wiring
and equipment to correct such hazards will constitute an extension
of an existing or new circuit.
No certificate of inspection shall be issued unless the electric
light, power or heating installation and all other electrical apparatus
connected with it are in strict conformity with the provisions of
this chapter and the rules and regulations of the State Electrical
Code issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services,
under authority of the state statutes.
All inspection notices and orders of the Electrical Inspector(s)
shall be considered final when served in writing upon the licensee.
Service shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested, or via
fax machine, or via email with read receipt. The effective date of
notification shall be the date shown on the return receipt or fax
transaction report.
Appeals for all electrical installations, alterations or repairs covered within the scope of the State Electrical Code shall be filed with the State Department of Safety and Professional Services in accordance with § SPS 316.015, Wis. Adm. Code. Appeals for all other requirements in this chapter shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of § 1.44 of this Code.
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen
the responsibility or liability of any person supplying electricity
to or selling, renting, leasing, owning, using, operating, controlling,
installing, altering, removing, replacing, disturbing, repairing,
connecting, disconnecting or maintaining any electrical equipment
for damages to person or property caused by any defect therein or
therefrom, nor shall the Village or its officers be held as assuming
any such responsibility or liability by reason of the issuance or
revocation of any license or permit or the inspection authorized by
this chapter or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any electrical
equipment, sales, rentals, drawings, plans, specifications, materials,
samples, test reports, literature, information or schedules authorized
in this chapter. The Village or its officers shall not be held liable
for any damages resulting from the enforcement of this chapter.
Except as otherwise provided, any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 25.04 of this Code. Each violation and each day a violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense. This section shall not preclude the Village from maintaining any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of this chapter.
