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AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA AMENDING CERTAIN
BUILDING REGUL..\TIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE VIII OF THE
ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE, ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELEC-
TRICAL CODE 1978 EDITION, AND WITH CHANGES, ADDITIONS
AND DELETIONS THERETO AND FINDINGS THEREFOR.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Certain sections of Article VIII of the Arcadia Municipal
Code are hereby amended, added or repealed as follows:
A, Section 8310 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"8310. NATIONi\L ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTED.
(a) The National Electrical Code, 1978 Edition, published by the
National Fire Protection Association including'all of its indices and appendices, and
except said portions thereof as are Ilereinafter deleted, modified, or amended by this
Ordinanee, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this Ordinance as
though set forth in this Ordinance in full, subject, however, to the amendments,
additions and deletions set forth in this Ordinance shall constitute and be known as
the "Electrical Code of the City of :\rcadia."
(b) Three (3) copies of said Code are on file in the office of the City
Clerk for public record and inspection.
(c) No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move,
improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or
structure or fixture attached thereto in violation of said Code. Any such violation is
a misdemeanor punishable pursuant to Section 1200 of the Arcadia Municipal Code."
B, Section 8320 is hereby repellled,
C. Section 8330 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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DlVISIO N I
TITLE, INTENT &. PURPOSE
90-1 TITLE
This Code shall be known as the Electrical Code. Wherever the word
Code is used in this Ordinance, it shall mean Electrical Code of the Ci ty of Arcadia.
90-2 INTENT
The intent of this Code is to provide more uniform requirements and
enforcement wi th provisions for interpretations and revisions. This Code includes
local requirements not covered by the National Electrical Code or regulations of the
State of California.
Where provisions of this Code conflict with other regulations the most
restrictive provisions shall apply.
90-3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
It is the purpose of this Code to provide basic minimum prOVISIOns
considered necessary for safety, efficiency, adequacy and the practical safeguarding
of person, and of buildings, structures and their contents from hazards arising from
the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling and for other purposes,
as well as provisions for future expansion of electrical use.
DIVISION II
ADMINISTRATION
91-1 DUTIES OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL
The Building Official of the City of Arcadia or his designated represent-
ative has authority to enforce all provisions of this Code. He may upon application
grant permits for the installation or alteration of electrical wiring, devices,
appliances and equipment. He shall make such inspections and re-inspections of the
installation, maintenance and repair of all electrical wiring, connections, fixtures,
appliances, machinery, equipment and work inside, outside, overhead or underground
within the City of Arcadia or as he determines necessary or advisable.
91-2 INTERPRETATIONS
In cases where the rapid development in the application and use of
electricity or new and special or unusual methods of building construction create
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sections in this Code pertaining to electricity, and make literal application of the
rule or rules impracticable, the Building Official is hereby empowered to makc
interpretations in the form of his own rules wherever there is a question as to motive
or method or manner in which material shall be installed or as to the intent or
meaning of any provision herein; provided, however, that any person who feels
himself aggrieved by any rule or rules made by the Building Official in accordance
with the foregoing, shall, within thirty (30) days from the effective date thereof,
have the right to appeal such rule or rules for a review and determination of the
reasonableness thereof.
DIVISIO N III
PERMITS AND FEES
92-1 PERMITS
No alteration or addition shall be made to any existing wiring nor shall
any wiring for the placing or installation of equipment, fixtures, appliances or equip-
ment except as provided herein be made without first obtaining an electrical permit
from the Building Official.
Exceptions: An electrical permit is not required to do the following
work:
1. Minor repair work, such as repaIrlng flush and snap switches,
replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and recepticles, taping bare fronts, repairing
drop cords and the like.
2. Installations used by electrical supply, railway or communications
utilities in the exercise of their functions as a public utility.
3. Installation, alteration or repair of electrical equipment installed for
or by an electricity supply agency for the use of such agency in the generation
transmission distribution or metering of electricity.
4. Electrical wiring for street lighting or traffic signals in a public way.
92.2 APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT
Application for electrical permits describing the work to be done shall be
made in writing to the Building Official. The application shall be accompanied by
such plans, specifications and schedules as may be necessary to determine compli-
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issued. However, no permit shall be issued if it would conflict with or be in violation
of any provisions of the Arcadia Municipal Code.
No deviation from the installation described in the permit shall be made
without the approval of the Building Official.
92.3 ISSUANCE OF PERMITS
Electrical permi ts shall be issued only to sta te licensed contractors or
their respective authorized representatives, but only to the extent and for the work
the person is licensed by the State of California to do.
Exception: A homeowner's permit may be issued to an owner to do any
,
work regulated by this Code pertaining to electricity in a single family dwelling used
exclusively for living purposes including the usual accessory buildings and quarters
associated with single family dwellings. In order to qualify under this exception the
person making application must be the bona fide owner and occupant of the dwelling
unit for which application is submitted.
92-4 FEES
Fees for electrical permits and electrical plan checking shall be as
established by resolution of the City Council.
92-5 WORK WITHOUT PERMIT
No electrical work for which a permit is required shall be commenced in
any building or premises until a permit to do such work shall have first been obtained.
Where work for which a permit L, required by this Code is started or commenced
prior to obtaining a permit, the total fees as herein specified shall be doubled the
payment of such double fees and shall not relieve the person from complying with the
requirements of this Code in the execution of the work, nor from any other penalties
prescribed herein.
Exception: Double fees will not be assessed for emergency repair or
installation done outside of normal working hours and permit application is made
within three working days after commencement of the emergency work.
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An electrical permit is not transferable. If applicable, refunds shall be
made as per Se<Hion 92.11 and a new permit shall be issued.
92.7 EXPIRATION Of PERMITS
Every permit shall expire and become null and void by limitation for any
one or more of the following reasons:
I. Whenever the electric wiring authorized by a permit is not
commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of issuance of such
permi t.
2. Whenever the electric wiring authorized by a permit has been
suspended, abandoned, or discontinued for a continuous period of one hundred eighty
(180) days.
3. Upon written request of the applicant, within 180 days of issuance,
provided no portion of the work authorized by such permit has been completed in
accordance with this Code.
4. Whenever the electric wiring done during any continuous period of
180 days amounts to less than ten percent (1096) of the total of the electric wiring
authorized by such permit.
Before recom mencing electrical wlrIng formerly authorized by such
permit, a new p~rmit shall be obtained therefore. The fee for renewal of an expired
permit shall be one half the fee required for a new permit provided such suspension or
abandonment has not exceeded one year.
92.8 REVOCATIONS'AND SUSPENSIONS OF PERMITS
The Building Official may suspend or revoke any electrical permit for
any of the following reasons:
1. If any reason is found to exist which would have been cause for denial
of such permit.
2. Any material misrepresentation or falsity in the application upon
which said permit is issued.
3. For failure to comply with the provisions of the section in this Code
pertainirtg to eIectriCity;:af~er due notice of corrections and the time limit therefore
has expired; or for failure to comply with other codes of this juriSdiction that may be
relate~ to or appertain to the sections in this Code pertaining to electricity.
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In the event that any person shall have obtained an electrical permit and
no portion of the work shall have commenced and said permit has not expired as
provided for in section 92.7, the permittee upon written request to the Building
Official shall be entitled to a refund in an amount equal to eighty percent (80) of the
permit fee actually paid for such permit; however, the portion of the fee retained
shall not be less than ten dollars ($10.00).
In case a permit is issued in error by the Building Official, all fees shall
be returned to the applicant upon receipt of written request by the applicant.
No refund for fees paid for plan check shall be refunded unless no
checking has been performed in which case eighty percent (8096) of the plan checking
fee shall be refunded; however, the portion of the fee retained shall not be less than
ten dollars ($10.00).
The Building Official shall satisfy himself as to the right of such
applicant to receive refund.
DIVISION IV
INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
93.1 INSPECTIONS AND CORRECTIONS
Upon completion of the work which has been authorized by issuance of
any permit, it shall be the duty of the person, firm or corporation installing the same
to notify the Building Official who shall inspect the installation at the time such
notice is given or as soon thereafter as practical. If upon inspection the installation
is not found to be fully in compliance with the Provisions of the Code, the Building
Official shall at once notify the person, firm or corporation making the installation
sta ting the defects which have been found to exist. All defects shall be corrected
within ten (10) days after inspection and notification or written reasonable time as
permitted by the Building Official.
93.2 INSPECTION BEFORE CONCEALMENT
When any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden by the permanent
placement of parts of the building, the person, firm or corpora tion installing the
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not be concealed until they have been inspected and approved.
The Building Official shall have the power to remove or require the
removal of any obstruction that prevents proper inspection of any electrical equip-
ment.
93.3 CLEARANCE OF CONNECTION OF ELECTRICAL UTILITIES
There shall be no clearance for connection of electrical utilities until
final approval is given or any building sought to be connected to such utilities and
until all other applicable laws and ordinances have been complied with unless
approval has first been obtained from the Building Official.
93.4 TEMPORARY OR RELOCATED BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
Electrical wiring in temporary or relocated buildings and structures shall
comply with the requirements of this Code for new buildings.
93.5 DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT
When any electrical equipment is found by the Building Official to be
dangerous to property or to persons because it is defective or defectively installed,
the person, firm or corpora tion responsible for the electrical equipment shall be
notified in writing and shall make any changes or repairs as required by the section in
this Code pertaining to electricity or other laws to place such equipment in safe
condi tion.
If such work is not completed within the time specified by the Building
Official, said Building Official shall have authority to disconnect or order the dis-
continuance of electrical service to said electrical equipment, and any person, firm
or corporation or political subdivision ordered to discontinue such electrical service
shall do so within 24 hours and shall not reconnect or allow it to be reconnected until
approval has been granted authorizing connection and use of such wiring, devices,
appliances, or equipment.
In cases of emergency, where necessary for safety of persons or of
property, or where electrical equipment may interfere with the work of the Fire
Department, the Building Official shall have the authority to immediately cause the
disconnection of any electrical equipment.
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It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make
connection from a source of electrical energy or to supply electric service to any
electric wiring devices, appliance or equipment for the installation of which a permit
is required, unless such person, firm or corporation shall have obtained satisfactory
evidence from the Building Official that such wiring, devices,. appliance, or
equipment are in all respects in conformity with all applicable legal provisions.
93.7 LIABILITY
The Building Official, or his authorized representative charged with the
enforcement of this Code, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of
his duties, shall not thereby render himself personally liable for any damage that may
accrue to persons or property as a result of any act or by reason of any act or
omission in the discharge of his duties. Any suit brought against the Building Official
or employee because of such act or omission performed by him in the enforcement of
any provision of this Code shall be defended by legal counsel provided by this
jurisdication until final termination of such proceedings.
This Code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibi-
Ii ty of any person owning, operating or controlling any building or structure for any
damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the City be held as
assuming any such liability by reasons of the inspections authorized by this Code or
any certificates of inspection issued under this Code.
93.8 PENALTIES
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any
provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Ordinance. Any
person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Ordinance or failing to
comply with any of its requirements shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred
Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such
fine and imprisonment. Each such person, firm or corporation shall be deemed guilty
of a separate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation of any of
the provisions of this Ordinance is committed continued or permitted by such person,
firm or corporation, and shall be punishable therefor as provided for in this Ordin-
ance.
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Code shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion thereof
during which sllch violation continues and shall be punishable as herein provided.
D. Section 8330.1. is hereby amended to read as follows:
"8330.1. AMENDMENT. Section 210-23(a) of the Electrical Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
210-23(a) 15 AND 20 AMPERE BRANCH CIRCUITS
A IS-ampere branch circuit shall be permitted to supply only lighting
outlets or an individual fixed appliance. A 20-ampere branch circuit shall be
permitted to supply lighting outlets, recepticle outlets, fixed appliances or a
combina tion of same. The total rating of fixed appliances supplied by such circuit
shall not exceed 50% of the rating of the branch circuit. The rating of a single fixed
appliance supplied by an individual branch circuit shall not exceed 8096 of the rating
of the circuit.
Exception: The small appliance branch circuits required in dwellings
Section 220-3(b) shall supply only the recepticle outlets specified in that Section."
E. Section 8330.2. is hereby amended to read as follows:
"8330.2. AMENDMENT
Section 220-3 of said Electrical Code is amended by adding thereto
subsection (3) to read as follows:
Section 220-3 (e)
Each dwelling unit shall have installed therein an individual food waste
grinder branch circuit. Said circuit shall be provided with an indicating type switch
located in the wall adjacent to the sink or cabinet."
F. Section 8330.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"8330.3. AMENDMDlT.
Section 250-112 of said Electrical Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 250-112. GROUNDING ELECTRODE
The connection of a grounding electrode conductor to a grounding
electrode shall be made at a readily accessible point and in R manner that will assure
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system used as a grounding electrode, effective bonding shall be provided around any
equipment tha t is likely to be disconnected for repairs or replacement",
G, Section 8330.4. is hereby amended to read as follows:
"8330.4. ADDITION. Said Electrical Code is hereby amended by adding
Section 310-14 to read as follows:
Section 310-14. Aluminum conductors smaller than No.6 shall not be
used for circuit conductors, feeders or subfeeders",'
H. Section 8330.5. is hereby added to read as follows:
"8330.5. AMEN DMENT. Section 336-3 of said Electrical Code is
amended to read as follows:
Section 336-3 USES PERMITTED OR NOT PERMITTED
Type NM and NMC shall be permitted to be used in one and two family
dwelling units and in buildings or portions of buildings accessory to individual dwelling
units.
(a) Type N M. This type of non-metallic shea thed cable shall be
permitted to be installed for both exposed and concealed work in normally dry
locations. It shall be permissible to install or fish type NM cable in air voids in
masonry block or tile walls where such walls are not exposed or subject to excessive
moisture or dampness. Type NM cable shall not be installed where exposed to
corrosive fumes or vapor.
(b) Type NMC. Type NMC cable shall be permitted for both exposed and
concealed work in dry, moist, damp, or corrosive locations and in air voids of outside
and inside walls of .masonry block or tile.
(c) Uses not permitted for either NM or NMC cable. Types NM and
NMC cables shall not be used as (1) service-entrance cable; (2) in any commercial,
industrial or multiple family dwelling units; (3) in any hazardous location; (4) in any
building required to be on noncombustible construction; (5) in unenclosed locations of
private garages or carports; (6) in any areas where exposed to mechanical damage or
the elements; (7) on all circuits of 220 Volts or more; (8) where embedded in
concrete, masonry, or plaster.
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amended by adding the following subsection (g):
Section 370.52(g). Boxes llsed in required fire resistive walls shall be of
metal or other approved noncombustible material".
J. Section 8330.7. is hereby added to read as follows:
"8330.7. DELETION. Articles 550 and 551 of said Electrical Code
pertaining to mobile home parks, rec.rea tional vehicles, and recreational vehicle parks
are hereby deleted."
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5 and
17958.8, a city makes such modifications in the requirements of the regulations
adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922 as it determines to be
reasonably necessary because of local conditions and the City Council of the City of
Arcadia determines tha t the modi fica tions set forth herein are in fact reasonably
necessary because of local conditions as set forth more fullv below.
(a) lt is reasonably necessary because of local conditions to modify and
supplement Article 90 of the National Electrical Code 1978 Edition, dealing with
administration and enforcement, in order to provide for efficient and orderly
opera tion of the Building Division.
(b) lt is .reasonably necessary because of local conditions to' modify and
add sections to Article 210, 220, 250, 310, 336 and 370 of the National Electrical
Code, 1978 Edition, in order 'to provide for increased fire safety convenience and
economy in electrical installations, and also to clarify and make specific the intent of
the Na tional Electrical Code.
SECTION 3. No person shall violate any provision, or fail to comply with
any of the requirements of this Ordinance. Any person violating any of the provisions
or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this Ordinance shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under any
provision of this Ordinance shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five
Hundred Dollars, ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the City Jail or County Jail for a
period not exceeding six (6) months, or by both stich fine and imprisonment. Each
person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion
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permi tted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.
SECTION 4. In addition to the penalties provided in the preceding
Section, any conditiqn caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the
provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed a public nuisance and may, be, by the
City, summarily abated as such, and each day such condition continues shall be
regarded as a new and separate offense.
SECTION 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by
the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council of the City of
Arcadia hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that
anyone or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases or portions be
declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 6. Neither the adoption of this Ordinance nor the repeal
hereby of any ordinance shall in any manner affect the prosecution for violation of
ordinances, which violations were committed prior to the effective date hereof, nor
be construed as affecting any of the provisions of such ordinance relating to the
collection of any such license or penalty or the penal provisions applicable to any
violation thereof, nor to affect the validity of any bond or cash deposit in lieu
thereof, required to'be posted, filed or deposited pursuant to any ordinance and all
rights and obligations thereunder appertaining shall continue in full force and effect.
SECTION 7. The Clerk of the Council shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in the official
newspaper of the City of Arcadia within fifteen (15) days after its adoption.
,
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Arcadia .at
its regular meeting held on the 5th day of August, 1980.
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SIGNED AND APPROVED t11is 5thduyof August. 1980.
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
~aLoLcQ)ao/~~~d
'},layor
I HERESY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of .-\rcadia, California, held on the
5th day of August, 1980, by the affirmative vote of at least three Council
;'vlembers to wit:
AYES: Councilmen Dring, Gilb, Haltom, Saelid, Pellegrino
NOES: None
A SSE NT: None
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City Clerk
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