[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of New Berlin 10-10-2000 by Ord. No. 2124 as Ch. 15 of the Municipal
Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard
life and property by regulating the proper installation, maintenance
and use of electricity and utilization devices by providing for the
review and licensing of persons, firms and corporations undertaking
electrical work, by issuing permits for electrical work, by the inspection
of the existing and newly installed wiring, equipment and devices,
and fixing a penalty for violation thereof.
[Amended 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 2619]
A.
The provisions of this chapter shall adopt and supplement all the
laws and regulations of the State of Wisconsin relating to electrical
installations on the load side of the service point as defined in
Article 100 of the National Electrical Code and including any future
amendments, revisions or modifications thereto. By this section, these
laws and regulations are made a part of this chapter as if fully set
forth herein. Where the requirements of the state code and the provisions
of this chapter conflict, the stricter requirements shall govern.
Electrical wiring and equipment, properly installed in accordance
with the then-existing electrical code, shall be considered in compliance
with this chapter unless it poses a safety threat to property or life.
B.
The following subsections reference, but are not limited to, specific
State of Wisconsin Administrative Codes that are part of this chapter
and the laws and regulations of the State of Wisconsin:
(1)
Wisconsin State Electrical Code, SPS 316, and all amendments thereto,
are adopted and incorporated in this chapter by reference.
(2)
Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305, Wis. Adm. Code, titled "Electrical
and Inspection," and all amendments thereto, are adopted and incorporated
in this chapter by reference.
There is hereby created under the general supervision
of the Chief Building Inspector within the Inspection Division the
Electrical Section. The Section shall be under the direct supervision
of the Electrical Inspector. The Electrical Inspector shall have the
general authority and control of all matters pertaining to electrical
inspections and shall enforce all state laws and city ordinances relating
thereto.
The Electrical Inspector shall be certified
by the State of Wisconsin as a commercial electrical inspector (Comel).
The Electrical Inspector shall have full power
to pass upon any question arising under the provisions of this chapter,
subject to the conditions contained in this chapter, and shall have
the power and authority at all reasonable times, for any proper purpose,
to enter upon any public or private premises and make inspection thereof
and to require the production of the permit for electrical work or
the required license therefor. In case of violation of this chapter
or any other ordinance of the City of New Berlin, the Electrical Inspector
may post a stop order upon the premises after which no further work
shall be performed upon the structure until the premises are brought
in compliance. Any person interfering with the Electrical Inspector
while in the performance of his/her duties shall be deemed guilty
of an offense punishable under this chapter.
There shall be kept in the Division of Electrical
Inspection a complete record of all applications and permits, regularly
numbered in the order of their issue, and also a record of all inspections
made and other official work performed under the provisions of this
chapter, so arranged as to afford prompt information concerning electrical
installations.
A.
Authority to enter premises. In the discharge of his/her
duties and whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any
provisions of this chapter, or whenever the Electrical Inspector or
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there
exists in any building or upon any premises any condition which makes
such building or premises unsafe, the Electrical Inspector or authorized
representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable
times to inspect the same, require the production of any permit or
license required hereunder or to perform any duty imposed upon by
this chapter, provided that if such building or premises be occupied,
he shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if
such building or premises be unoccupied he shall first make a reasonable
effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control
of the building or premises and request entry.
B.
Enforcement. If consent to entry to the personal or real properties which are not public buildings, or to portions of public buildings which are not open to the public, for inspection purposes has been denied, or if the owner or other person in charge or control cannot be located, the Electrical Inspector shall obtain a special inspection warrant under § 66.0119, Wis. Stats. No person shall interfere with the Inspector or his/her authorized agent while in the performance of his/her duties, and any person interfering shall be in violation of this chapter and subject to a penalty as provided by § 106-29.
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, repairing, removing, replacing,
disturbing, connecting, disconnecting or maintaining any electrical
equipment for damages to persons or property caused by any defect
therein or therefrom; nor shall the city be held as assuming any such
responsibility or liability by reason of the issuance or revocation
of any license, permit or certificate, or the inspection or reinspection
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. Nor shall the city be held liable for
any damages resulting from the enforcement of this chapter.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former §§ 106-9, Electrical
Review Board, 106-10, Appeals, 106-11, License required; application
procedure, 106-12, License renewal, 106-13, Suspension of license,
106-14, Revocation of license, 106-15, License fee, and 106-16, Licensing
of shop maintenance, were repealed 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 2521.
[Amended 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. 2528; 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 2619]
A.
Permit required. No building, structure or premises shall be wired
for electric lights, meters, heating units, signs, refrigeration or
other electrical wiring nor shall any electrical equipment be installed
nor shall any alteration or change be made in any wiring system, nor
shall electric current be supplied to any new electrical system, before
notifying the Electrical Inspector and securing a permit and/or authority
to proceed with the work.
B.
Permit not required. No permits shall be required for the connection
of electrical equipment having a rating of not greater than 120 volts
or 20 amps and having an attachment cord and cap for connection to
a permanently installed receptacle, except that a permit shall be
required for the installation of a new fire alarm system or the replacement
of an existing fire alarm system. No person, firm, or corporation
shall alter or install a fire alarm system without first having procured
a license, as provided in this chapter. A fire alarm system is one
where the electrical wiring is connected to a listed (per Wisconsin
Administrative Code, Department of Safety and Professional Services,
SPS 316.022, Electrical) fire alarm control panel. And all amendments
thereto, are adopted and incorporated in this chapter by reference.
C.
To obtain a permit. A contractor licensed to perform the service
for which the permit is sought, or such person who is otherwise permitted
pursuant to Chapter 101 of the Wisconsin Statutes to perform the applied-for
service, shall first file with the Electrical Inspector an application
for an electrical permit. The application shall state the name of
the owner of the property, the address of the premises where the work
is proposed, a description of all work proposed and other information
as the Electrical Inspector may request. The required fees as prescribed
by this chapter shall accompany the application.
D.
Temporary work. 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. Service shall be disconnected at the end of this period
and not again be connected without written permission from the Electrical
Inspector. For buildings where conduit wiring is required, special
permits for temporary work may be granted by the Inspector for the
installation of exposed wiring of lights and 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.
E.
Emergency work. In the case of emergency work, the electrical contractor
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 the provisions of this chapter.
F.
Emergency. The determination as to the existence of an emergency
shall be made by the Electrical Inspector.
The electrical permit shall have lapsed and
be void unless electrical work is commenced within 120 days of the
date of issuing of the permit or, if work authorized by the permit
is suspended at any time after the work is commenced, for a period
of 120 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall
be first obtained. A written request from the permit holder, prior
to termination, may extend the electrical permit up to an additional
120 days. A permit that has lapsed and become void shall not relieve
the permit holder of completion of the electrical work to a safe condition.
The Electrical Inspector may revoke a permit
or approval issued under the provisions of this chapter in case of
false statements or misrepresentation as to a material fact in the
application or plans on which a permit or approval was based. A permit
that has been revoked shall not relieve the permit holder of completion
of the work to a safe condition.
No permit shall be issued to any licensee who
is in arrears on the payment of any of the fees or special assessments
or who has failed to comply with any outstanding lawful order of the
Electrical Inspector.
The approval or conditional approval of a building,
plumbing or HVAC permit shall not be considered as approval of the
electrical plans, electrical specifications, electrical equipment
or of an electrical permit.
A.
Penalty. When obtaining an electrical permit after
the work has commenced, the total fee shall be doubled with a minimum
fee in accordance with the fee schedule.
B.
Compliance. The payment of such double fee shall not
relieve the permit holder from fully complying with all the regulations
of this chapter or from any other penalties prescribed by this chapter.
A.
When required and notification. Upon completion of
electrical wiring required to be inspected as hereafter stated or
before any electrical wiring is to be hidden from view, the electrical
contractor installing the electrical wiring shall notify the Electrical
Inspector that the installation is ready for inspection. The request
for inspection shall include the permit number and location of work
to be inspected.
B.
Inspection of work. The Electrical Inspector shall
perform the requested inspection within two business days, exclusive
of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after receiving notification.
If after two business days an inspection has not been made, the contractor
shall inform the Electrical Inspector of his/her intention to proceed
with the work.
C.
Inspection types. Inspections required to be performed
shall be of the following types for the purpose of determining if
the work complies with this chapter:
D.
Access. The electrical contractor shall provide access
for any inspection which is not readily accessible for an inspection
such as, but not limited to, roof tops, tunnels, etc.
E.
Certificate of inspection. For connection of a new
or relocated electrical service to any building, structure or premises,
the Electrical Inspector shall issue a certificate of inspection to
the electric company furnishing electrical power and the power company
shall not energize said service until receiving approval from the
Electrical Inspector.
F.
Final inspection. The electrical contractor shall
promptly call for a final inspection when work is completed and before
the electrical installation is used for its intended purpose. It is
the responsibility of the electrical contractor to ensure the electrical
installation is safeguarded until approved by the Electrical Inspector.
A penalty fee may be assessed for failure of the electrical contractor
to promptly request a final inspection.
A.
A property owner may personally install electrical
wiring in his/her own single-family dwelling owned by and occupied
by him/her as a permanent residence, provided that said owner shall:
A.
Minimum permit fee. Where additional permits by the
same contractor on the same job are necessary, the minimum fee does
not apply, providing the additional permit fees are received prior
to the contractor's request for final inspection.
B.
The schedule of fees for the following items will
be on file in the City Clerk's office and may be adjusted by the Common
Council:
(1)
Wiring for lighting switches and convenience outlets.
(2)
Installing incandescent lighting fixtures.
(3)
Installing fluorescent lighting fixtures.
(4)
Wiring for residential outdoor post lanterns up to
eight feet in height.
(5)
Wiring for range, oven, and power outlets over 150
volts not otherwise indicated.
(6)
Wiring for electric hot-water heater.
(7)
Wiring for gas burner, oil burner, or stoker with
circulator.
(8)
Wiring for automatic water system (well pump).
(9)
Wiring for exhaust, paddle and recirculation fans
for ventilation and their controls.
(10)
Wiring for motors over 1/6 horsepower.
(11)
Wiring for refrigeration, air cooling, and similar
machinery.
(12)
Wiring for rectifiers and transformers.
(13)
Wiring for dimmers, time clocks, rheostats,
motion sensor.
(14)
Wiring for dryer and dishwasher.
(15)
Wiring for electric heating devices (space and
strip).
(16)
Wiring for temporary use in addition to the
specific items connected (services - lighting-convenience outlets
and etc.).
(17)
Wiring for garbage grinding disposal unit and
residential trash compactor.
(19)
Additional meter sockets and disconnects.
(20)
Additional meters and subfeeders within same
enclosure.
(21)
Wiring for signs.
(22)
Wiring for above- and in-ground swimming pool,
hot tub, spa, hydromassage bath tub to include related grounding,
one motor, one motor disconnect by motor, one each convenience outlet
and switch, one light, and one in line water heater.
(23)
Wiring for strip lighting, plug-in strip, trol-e-duct
or similar system.
(24)
Wiring for wireways, busways, underfloor raceways
or auxiliary gutters.
(25)
Wiring for generators.
(26)
Wiring for arc, mercury, sodium, metal halide
and search lights.
(27)
Wiring for fuel dispensing pumps, welders, X-ray
machine or similar equipment.
(28)
Wiring for capacitors.
(29)
Wiring for emergency lighting, exit lights,
stand pipe alarm, fire alarm, smoke alarm (audible or visual).
(30)
Wiring for panel boards, feeders, and transfer
switches.
(31)
Light poles over eight feet in height including
one lighting fixture attached.
(32)
Wiring for mound systems.
(33)
Reinspection charge.
(34)
Failure to call for final inspection.
(35)
Electrical contractors license.
An additional fee may be assessed, as listed
in the fee schedule, for failure of a permit holder to call for a
final inspection for completion of work for which an electrical permit
was issued. The assessment may also be applied when the electrical
contractor allows use of the electrical installation before the installation
is finally approved by the Electrical Inspector.
A request may be made in writing by the permit
holder for a refund of permit fees, if the request is made within
120 days of the issuance of the permit. Requests received after 120
days may be referred to the Common Council for approval. The amount
eligible for refund shall be in accordance with the schedule.
[Amended 7-23-2002 by Ord. No. 2180]
All permit fees shall become property of the
City of New Berlin and shall be delivered to the Director of Finance
and Administration and credited to the general fund.
A.
Violation. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm
or corporation to erect, construct, install, alter, repair, move,
demolish, convert, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building, structure
or premises in the city contrary to or in violation of any provision
of this chapter or to cause, permit or support the same to be done.
