This chapter shall be known as the "Electrical Code of the City of Norwich, New York."
Since there is danger to life and property inherent in the use of electrical energy, this chapter is enacted to regulate the installation, alteration or repair of wiring for electric lights, heat or power, and signal systems operating on 75 volts or more, including all fire alarm systems, in or on all real property within the City of Norwich, New York, and the licensing of those individuals wishing to perform this line of work. Property owners may do their own repair work.
All electrical installations heretofore mentioned shall be made in conformity with the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and applicable sections of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code except where provisions of this chapter or any other local law, ordinance, or building code of the City of Norwich shall be more stringent and shall differently prescribe, in which event compliance with the provisions of such local law, ordinance or building code shall be recognized as proper compliance with this chapter. The requirements of the National Electrical Code shall be those known as "National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 70," as adopted by the American Standards Association, and as amended from time to time.
The Code Enforcement Officer of the City of Norwich is hereby authorized to establish an electrical permit system in the City for the issuance of permits to allow electrical installations and to promulgate rules and regulations concerning such issuance in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The Common Council of the City of Norwich, by resolution, may establish whatever fees it shall deem necessary and proper for the issuance of such permits.
Any duly appointed inspector of any inspection agency at all times authorized to perform inspections on behalf of the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, or its successors, are hereby authorized and deputized as agents of the City of Norwich to make inspections and reinspections of all electrical installations heretofore and hereafter described, and to approve or disapprove the same. These inspections are to be made under the auspices of the Code Enforcement Officer of the City of Norwich. In no event, however, will the cost or expense of such inspections and reinspections be a charge against the City of Norwich.
It shall be the duty of the inspector to report, in writing, to the Code Enforcement Officer, whose duty it shall be to enforce all the provisions of this code, all violations of or deviations from or omissions of the electrical provisions of the National Electrical Code (NEC), and of all local laws, ordinances and the Building Code as referred to in this chapter, insofar as any of the same apply to electrical wiring. The inspector shall make inspections and reinspections of the electrical installations in and on properties in the City of Norwich upon the written request of an authorized official of the City of Norwich or as herein provided. The inspector is authorized to make inspections and reinspections of electrical wiring installations, devices, appliances, and equipment in and on properties within the City of Norwich where he deems it necessary for the protection of life and property. In the event of an emergency, it is the duty of the inspector to make electrical inspections upon the oral request of an official or officer of the City of Norwich. It shall be the duty of the inspector to furnish written reports to the proper official of the City of Norwich and owners and/or lessees of property where defective electrical installations and equipment are found upon inspection. He shall authorize the issuing of a certificate of compliance when electrical installations and equipment are in conformity with this chapter. He shall direct that a copy of the certificate of compliance be sent to the City of Norwich to the attention of Code Enforcement Officer.
A. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation to install or cause to be installed, or to alter or repair electrical wiring for light, heat or power, in or on properties in the City of Norwich, until an application for inspection has been filed with an inspection agency authorized to perform inspections on behalf of the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, or its successors.
B. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter for a person, firm or corporation to connect or cause to be connected electrical wiring in or on properties for light, heat or power to any source of electrical energy supply without the issuance of a temporary certificate or a certificate of compliance by an authorized inspection agency.
C. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation to permit to remain connected defective electrical wiring, installations or equipment for light, heat or power after inspection and written notice of such defect.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, may be punished by a fine not less than $250, imprisonment not to exceed 15 days, or both, and each day on which such violations continue shall constitute a separate offense.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the electrical installations in mines, ships, railway cars, automotive equipment or the installations or equipment employed by a railway, electrical or communications utility in the exercise of its function as a utility and located outdoors or in the buildings used exclusively for that purpose. This chapter shall not apply to any work involved in the manufacture, assembly, test or repair of electrical machinery, apparatus, materials and equipment by a person, firm or corporation engaged in electrical manufacturing as their principal business. This chapter shall not apply to manufacturing units which have regular electrical maintenance personnel. It shall not apply to any building which is owned or leased in its entirety by the government of the United States or the State of New York.
A. 
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for loss of life or damage to person or property caused by a defect therein, nor shall the City of Norwich or any authorized inspection agency be deemed to have assumed any such liability by reason of any inspection made pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
Any firm or person engaged commercially in electrical wiring shall carry a minimum insurance policy within limits of $500,000 general liability, $300,000 bodily injury, $300,000 property damage and workers' compensation as required by the State of New York. This requirement shall be satisfied immediately, by those contractors not on file with the City of Norwich Code Enforcement Office, upon enactment of this chapter.
Any agency authorized to perform inspections on behalf of the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation shall register with the City of Norwich and shall agree to furnish within 10 days reports to the City of Norwich. No such agency shall be permitted to inspect prior to registration.
For willful misconduct, failure to submit reports as provided by this chapter, lack of performance, or for other just cause the Code Enforcement Officer may recommend to the Common Council, or the Common Council upon its own motion may move, that one or more agency or agencies be suspended or removed. Within 30 days of such action, the Common Council shall hold a hearing to determine whether such action should be taken. The agency shall be given written notice of the hearing, personally served or by certified mail, at least eight days prior to such hearing and shall have the opportunity to be heard. The Common Council may suspend an agency found to be in violation for a period of not less than three months or more than five years, or remove an agency for at least five years. The decision of the Council shall be rendered within 30 days after the conclusion of a hearing.
No agency shall inspect any work and furnish an interim or final report for any job which has previously been inspected by another authorized agency. An agency that performs the initial inspection shall perform all subsequent inspections through the final inspection.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed. This chapter shall repeal the Electrical Code for the City of Norwich, New York, adopted on March 1, 1964.
A. 
From time to time, it is anticipated that, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer, a violation of the code exists, at which time he shall issue a written notice to the alleged violator. The notice shall specify the sections of the code of which the individual is in violation and shall require that the individual comply within 14 days of the date of the notice or file an appeal to the Board of Appeals as established by the City of Norwich Common Council. The penalties for failure to comply are as noted under § 227-8.
B. 
In such instances in which the State Code shall create such difficulties or hardship, an appeal or variance may be applied for in accordance with Section 112 of the Building Code of New York State.
C. 
An appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action unless the Code Enforcement Officer, from whom the appeal is taken, certifies that the stay would cause imminent peril to life and property.
This chapter shall take effect as of the 22nd day of July 2009, as approved by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Norwich, New York.
This chapter constitutes a revision of the electrical licensing ordinances of the City of Norwich, New York; the Director of Finance is hereby directed to publish this chapter in pamphlet form for general distribution to the public at a price per pamphlet of $5.