[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of South
Milwaukee. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Electrical Code of the City
of South Milwaukee." It will be referred to hereinafter as "this Code."
A.
The object and purpose of this code is to safeguard persons and property
from hazards arising from the use of electrical energy by establishing
minimum standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical
systems. Compliance with these standards is intended to result in
installations reasonably free from electrical hazards. The standards
merely prescribe and establish a reasonable minimum and do not constitute
specifications for electrical installations and electrical equipment
generally. Specifications for electrical installations are not complete
when they only require compliance with this chapter, because the adequacy,
suitability, operating efficiency, convenience, finish, appearance
and value of electrical installations may be greatly varied or effected
in many respects without departure from the regulations of this chapter.
[Amended 9-20-1994 by Ord. No. 1579]
B.
This Code shall apply in full to all new permanent installations
(including reconstructions, alterations and extensions), except (a)
where any provision thereof is shown to be impracticable, or (b) where
the advantage of uniformity with existing construction is greater
that the advantage of construction in compliance with this Code, provided
in either event the existing construction is reasonably safe.
C.
This Code shall apply to all existing permanent installations except
where the existing construction is reasonably safe.
D.
This Code shall apply to all temporary installations or installations
which are shortly to be dismantled or reconstructed, except where
such an installation is used for a limited time under a temporary
service permit, and is reasonably safe.
E.
Installations used exclusively for routine or special electrical
test work under the supervision of a qualified person need comply
with this Code only so far as practicable for the character of the
testing done, provided such installations are reasonably safe.
F.
In case of emergency, the person responsible for an installation
may decide as to modification of any provision of this Code, subject
to review by the Electrical Inspector.
A.
Liability of owner. This Code shall not be construed to relieve in
whole or part the responsibility or liability of any party owning,
operating, controlling, or installing any electrical wiring, device
or equipment, for damages to anyone injured or any property destroyed
by any defect therein, nor shall the City be held to assume any such
liability by reason of any inspection authorized herein, or any certificate
of inspection or permit issued as herein provided.
B.
Temporary service permits. The Electrical Inspector may issue permits
for temporary service for a limited period where power and light are
needed to complete the erection of a building or to carry on other
necessary activities during construction. Service shall be cut off
and all temporary work removed at the end of the period of such permit
unless the period is extended for good cause by the Electrical Inspector.
C.
Records. Electrical contractors shall keep a complete separate record
of the work done by them when a permit is not required, which record
shall be open for the inspection by the Electrical Inspector at all
times.
D.
Applications. Applications for permits shall be made to the Electrical
Inspector on forms supplied by the City. Each application shall indicate
the nature and extent of the electrical work and the time same will
be completed. In the case of a large installation, a plan may be required
to accompany the application in the discretion of the Electrical Inspector.
Applications for temporary service permits must state the time during
which temporary service is required.
A.
State code terms. All terms defined in the Wisconsin Administrative
Code, State Electrical Code and any amendments thereto shall, when
used in this Code, be construed to have the same meanings as in the
Wisconsin State Electrical Code.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200]
B.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL WORK
Other terms. For the purpose of this Code, the following terms shall
be construed to have the following meanings:
Any wiring or devices installed for the purpose of conducting
or safeguarding electrical current, except wiring or devices installed
in communication systems or in automotive vehicles.
Any act in connection with the installing, altering, or maintaining
of an electrical system, which act ordinarily requires the use of
tools.
A.
All electrical work in the City of South Milwaukee shall conform
with the standards and provisions of this Code.
B.
All electrical materials, devices, appliances, or equipment used
or installed for use in the City of South Milwaukee shall conform
with the standards and provisions of this Code and shall be installed,
maintained, and operated in conformity with such standards and provisions.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200]
The standards of construction, maintenance and operation as
established by the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, as now adopted
in its entirety or as it may hereafter be amended by the Industrial
Commission of Wisconsin, are hereby adopted as a part of this Code
and shall apply to all types of construction whether industrial, residential,
utility or other.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200]
A.
Except for an electrical wiring project described in § 101.875(2), Wis. Stats, and as provided in Subsection B no electrical work shall be performed in the City of South Milwaukee unless the owner of the premises where the installation is to occur or their agent holds a permit from the designated inspection agency if the project involves the installation of new or an addition to any electrical service, feeder, or branch circuit serving any of the following:
B.
Under emergency
conditions, the necessary electrical wiring may commence without obtaining
a permit, provided the owner of the premises where the installation
is to occur or their agent submits a permit application to the inspection
agency designated by the Department to provide electrical inspections
for the installation no later than the next business day after commencement
of the installation.
[Amended 1-7-1992 by Ord.
No. 1504]
A.
The fees for permits required under this chapter will be as established
by Resolution of the Common Council.
B.
In the event a permit is not obtained before work is commenced, except
in case of an emergency, the fees due shall be doubled. No permit
shall be issued for any work by the same contractor or for the same
premises or project until all required fees have been paid and all
orders of the Electrical Inspector complied with.
C.
All fees shall be paid to the City Treasurer and no permit will be
valid unless signed by the Electrical Inspector and stamped paid by
the City Treasurer in the amount of the required fee.
A.
The Office of Electrical Inspector shall be appointed by the Common
Council. The Electrical Inspector shall serve under the direction
of the City Engineer, shall perform electrical inspections and have
such powers and duties as are contained herein, or such as the Common
Council or the City Engineer shall from time to time specify.
[Amended 9-1-1992 by Ord.
No. 1515]
B.
The Electrical Inspector shall enforce the provisions of this Code.
He shall make all inspections and keep a complete record of applications
for permits, permits issued, inspections made, and any other official
work performed under the provisions of this Code, and he shall do
such electrical work and wiring for the City of South Milwaukee as
the City Engineer may direct.
C.
The Electrical Inspector shall have the right during reasonable hours
to enter, with the permission of the owner, any public or private
building in the discharge of his official duties and shall have the
authority to condemn an installation and to cause the turning off
of any or all electric power supplied to such installation and in
cases of emergency, to cut or disconnect any wire or device of such
installation where electrical current in such installation is dangerous
to life or property or may interfere with the work of the Fire Department.
D.
The Electrical Inspector shall be considered a full-time employee
of the City of South Milwaukee, and it shall be unlawful for him to
engage in the business of electrical wiring and construction either
directly or indirectly in the City of South Milwaukee, and he shall
have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such business
in the City of South Milwaukee while holding the position of Electrical
Inspector.
[Amended 4-24-1958 by Ord. No. 594]
E.
Periodic inspection. The Electrical Inspector shall periodically
visit and inspect such places especially occupied by the public as
theaters, motion picture houses, places of amusement, places of assemblage
and all parts thereof, in order to examine such places and to judge
the conditions of same. He shall make a thorough examination of all
the electrical wires and appliances installed within the City of South
Milwaukee and when such wires and appliances are found to be in a
dangerous or unsafe condition, he shall notify the person, firm or
corporation owning, using, operating or installing same to place them
in a safe condition. The necessary repairs or changes shall be completed
within 30 days after receipt of such notice; each day which shall
elapse after the expiration of said period shall constitute a separate
offense; and the Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized to order
the discontinuance of electrical service to such defective wires and
appliances until they have been repaired, removed, or changed as directed
by the Electrical Inspector, subject to the limitations of this Code,
and failure to obey said order shall subject the person, firm, or
corporation neglecting to make such disconnection to the penalties
hereinafter provided.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200]
A.
Except
as provided under § 101.875(2), Wis. Stats., electrical
wiring installations shall be subject to inspection. Note: See § SPS
320.10 regarding the inspections for the construction of new one-
and two-family dwellings.
B.
Inspections
of electrical wiring installations described under § SPS
316.012(1)(a) shall be conducted by a certified commercial electrical
inspector. Note: see § SPS 305.62 for certification provisions
for commercial electrical inspectors.
C.
The building
owner or their agent shall notify the inspection agency designated
by the Department to provide electrical inspections when the electrical
wiring installation is ready for inspection.
E.
The concealment
or energizing of electrical wiring, other than an electrical service,
may proceed if inspection has not been completed within two business
days after notification is received or as otherwise agreed between
the wiring installer and the designated inspection agency providing
the inspection.
F.
The notification
that an electrical wiring installation is ready for final inspection
shall be made to indicate when all electrical fixtures, outlets and
face plates are in place and the installation or that portion of the
installation is energized.
G.
If upon
inspection, it is found that the installation is in compliance with
this chapter, the certified inspector shall approve the installation
prior to concealment or energizing of the electrical wiring.
H.
If, upon
inspection, it is found that the installation is incomplete or not
in compliance with this chapter, orders to correct shall be issued.
An order may include the condition that the electrical wiring is to
remain unconcealed and nonenergized until reinspected.
I.
Assistance
of other officials. It shall be the duty of police officials to report
at once to the Electrical Inspector any buildings within their respective
districts at which electrical work is being done without a permit
as required by this Code. It shall be the duty of other City enforcement
officers to cooperate with the Electrical Inspector in the enforcement
of this ordinance.
When the Electrical Inspector condemns or refuses to issue a
permit or certificate of inspection for all or part of an electrical
installation, he shall give written notice of such condemnation or
refusal to the contractor, if any on the job, and to the owner of
his authorized agent or attorney. Such contractor or owner may, within
five days after receiving such notice, file a petition in writing
for review of such condemnation or refusal by the Electrical Inspector.
Said petition may be filed with any member of the Board of Electrical
Examiners. Upon receipt thereof, said Board shall meet and forthwith
determine whether said electrical construction complies with the requirements
of this Code and shall cause its written findings and decision to
be filed with the City Clerk, and a copy thereof to be delivered to
such contractor and owner; and the Electrical Inspector shall be bound
by such findings and decision.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200]
A.
No person,
firm or corporation shall engage in the business of performing electrical
work for others in the City of South Milwaukee unless such person,
firm or corporation is licensed as an electrical contractor by the
Department.
B.
No person
may install, repair, or maintain electrical wiring unless the person
is licensed as an electrician by the Department or unless the person
is enrolled as a registered electrician by the Department.
C.
No person
who is not a master electrician may install, repair, or maintain electrical
wiring unless a master electrician is at all times responsible for
the person’s work.
D.
It shall
be unlawful for any electrical contractor licensed hereunder to obtain
a permit for electrical work to be done by anyone not regularly in
his employ.
[Amended 8-1-2000 by Ord.
No. 1775; 7-6-2004 by Ord. No. 1865; 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200]
Any property owner may personally install electrical wiring
in a single-family residence building or accessory building which
he has legally owned and occupied for a period of at least one year,
subject to the following conditions:
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 17.14, Term of licenses, was
repealed 4-4-2007 by Ord. No. 1938. Former § 17.15, License fees,
was repealed 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2200. Former § 17.16, Board
of Electrical Examiners, and § 17.18, Revocation of license,
were repealed 4-4-2007 by Ord. No. 1938.
If any provision of this Code or the application of such provision
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this
Code shall not be affected thereby.
[Amended 9-20-1994 by Ord. No. 1579]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provisions of the Chapter 17 shall, upon conviction, be subject to a forfeiture of not less that $1 nor more than $1,000, and the cost of prosecution for each offense. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.