Ordinance Number 372ORDINANCE NO, 372
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1978 EDITION
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL
CODE, 1978 EDITION, AND REPEALING ORDINANCES
NOS. 271 AND 272
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA,
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Sections.
Adoption by Reference.
Amendments, Additions and Deletions.
Validity.
Violations.
Repeal.
Effective Date.
Clerk's Certification.
SECTION 1. Adoption by Reference.
There is adopted by the City that certain Code known as
the National Electrical Code, 1978 Edition, and the whole thereof,
including the amendments set forth herein, of which said Code not
less than three (3) copies have been and are on file in the
Office of the City Clerk. The said Code is adopted and incorporated
as fully as if set forth at length herein and shall be in effect
within the City of San Juan Capistrano from the effective date of
this Ordinance. The said adopted Code, 1978 Edition, as thus
amended, together with all other provisions of this article,
shall be known as the Electrical Code of the City of San Juan
Capistrano.
SECTION 2. Amendments, Additions and Deletions.
The following portions of the National Electrical Code,
1978 Edition, are hereby amended as follows:
(1) Section 90-4 is hereby amended by adding a third
paragraph to read as follows:
The Building Official, or his regularly authorized
assistants, is hereby vested with the authority to
enforce all of the provisions of this Code.
(2) Article 90 is hereby amended by adding new Section
numbers 90-8 (a), (b), (c), to read as follows:
90-8. Responsibilities.
(a) This Code shall not be construed to
relieve from or lessen the responsibility
of any party owning, operating, controlling
or installing any electric wiring,
electric devices or electric material
for damages to person or property caused
by any defect therein, nor shall the
jurisdiction be held as assuming any
such liability by reason of the inspection
authorized herein, or certificate of
inspection issued as herein provided.
(b) The Building Official is hereby authorized
to determine the intent and meaning of
any provisions of this Code.
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(c) It is unlawful for any person, firm or
corporation, either as owner, architect,
contractor, artisan or otherwise, to do
or knowingly to cause or permit to be
done any electrical wiring as defined in
this Code in such manner that same shall
not conform to all of, the provisions of
this Code.
(3) The National Electrical Code, 1978 Edition is
hereby amended by adding a new Article to be
designated Article 91 and consisting of Sections
91-1 through 91-13 to read in full as follows:
ARTICLE 91 - Permits, Fees, and Inspections
91-1. Permits. No electrical equipment shall be
installed within or on any building, structure
or premises, publicly or privately owned, nor
shall any alteration or addition be made in
any such existing equipment without first
securing a permit therefor from the Building
Official; except a permit need not be obtained
for minor repair work such as the relacement
of lamps or the repair and connection of
portable electrical equipment to suitable
permanently installed receptacles.
91-2. Permits may be issued only to a person,
firm or corporation licensed by the State of
California in the classification authorized
to perform the work and subject to the
conditions and limitations of such
classification, or to an owner qualifying
under Section 91-9.
91-3. 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 and
specifications as may be necessary to determine
whether the installations as described will
be in conformity with the requirements of the
sections in this Code pertaining to electricity.
91-9. Owner's Permit. Any permit required by the
sections of this Code pertaining to electricity
may be issued to an owner to do any work
regulated by the sections in this Code
pertaining to electricity in a dwelling used
exclusively for living purposes including the
usual accessory buildings and quarters in
connection with such buildings in the event
that any such person is a bona fide owner of
any such dwelling unit and accessory buildings
and quarters, and that the same are to be
occupied by said owner, and provided that
said owner is determined by the Building
Official to be qualified and shall personally
perform all labor in connection therewith.
91-5. 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 been first obtained.
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91-6. Failure to obtain a permit and pay fees
therefor before commencing work shall be
deemed evidence of violation of the provisions
of this Code. Double the amount of permit
fee shall be assessed for work commenced
before a permit is issued.
91-7. No Permit Shall be Transferable. A permit
granted to one person, firm or corporation
shall not authorize any person, firm or
corporation except an employee of the permittee,
to do any electric wiring.
91-8. Expiration of Permit. Every permit shall
expire and become null and void for any one
or more of the following reasons:
Whenever the electric wiring authorized
by a permit is not commenced within 60
days from the date of issuance of such
permit.
Whenever the electric wiring authorized
by a permit has been suspended, abandoned
or discontinued for a continuous period
of 120 days.
Before recommencing, proceeding with or
doing any electric wiring authorized by
but not installed before expiration of
any such permit, a new permit shall be
obtained therefor, and the fee for such
permit shall be the fee required for a
new permit.
91-9. Suspension or Revocation. The Building
official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a
permit issued under provisions of this Code
whenever the permit is issued in error or on
the basis of incorrect information supplied,
or in violation of any ordinance or regulation
or any of the provisions of this Code.
91-10. Fees. The schedule of fees set forth in
Ordinance No. 360 shall remain in full force
and effect.
91-11. When any part of wiring installation is to
be hidden from view by the permanent placement
of parts of the building, the person, firm or
corporation installing the wiring shall
notify the Building Official and such parts
of the wiring installation shall not be
concealed until they have been inspected and
approved by the Building Official.
91-12. Inspections and Corrections. Upon
completion of the work which has been authorized
u 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
as soon thereafter as practicable. If upon
inspection the installation is not found to
be in conformity with the provisions of this
Code, the Building Official shall notify the
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person, firm or corporation making the
installation stating the defects which have
been found to exist. All defects shall be
corrected within 10 days after inspection and
notification, or within other reasonable time
as permitted by the Building Official. No
electrical installation shall be energized
until inspected and approved by the Building
Official.
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91-13. Temporary Connection. When authorizing
the connection and use of temporary or
incomplete work, such authorization shall
expire at a time to be stated by the Building
Official.
(4) A new Article 92 consisting of Sections 92-1
through 92-5 is added to read:
Article 92 - Installation Standards.
92-1. Standards for the Installation of Electrical
Equipment. All electrical installations,
industrial, commercial, and residential,
within the governmental jurisdiction covered
by this Code, shall be in conformity with the
provisions of this Code, all applicable State
laws, and in accordance with National Fire
Protective Association Standards for Safety
to life and property.
92-2. Listing or Labeling. Listing or labeling
as conforming to the standards of Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc., as approved by the United
States Bureau of Mines, the American Standards
Association, the United States Bureau of
Standards, or other similar institutions of
recognized standing, shall be prima facie
evidence of conformity with approved standards
of safety to life and property.
92-3. Used Materials. Previously used materials
shall not be re -used without the written
approval obtained in advance from the Building
Official.
92-4. Nameplates. The maker's nameplate, trademark,
or other identification symbol shall be
placed on the outside where it is visible at
time of inspection on all electrical materials,
devices, appliances, fittings, and equipment
used or installed under the provisions of
this Code.
92-5. Occupancy Group Classifications for Various
Building and Structures. All structures
shall be classified as referenced in the
Uniform Building Code, 1976 Edition.
(5) A new article to be designated Article 93, consisting
of Sections 93-1 through 93-4 is added to read as
follows:
Article 93 - Alterations and Additions.
93-1. Alterations, additions, or renewal of
existing wiring installations, shall be made
in compliance with the provisions of this
Code.
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Exception: When a renewal due to deterioration
or damage does not exceed 50% of the electrical
installation in an existing building or
structure, such renewal may be installed in
the same manner as the existing installation.
93-2. When any building or structure, or portion
thereof, is placed in a different occupancy
classification, those portions directly
affected by such occupancy change, shall be
wired in compliance with the provisions of
this Code.
93-3. Relocated Buildings. Relocated buildings
shall conform to the minimum standards as
required in this Code for new buildings.
Exception: Single family dwelling units and
associated accessory buildings are excepted
from requirements herein subject to approval
of the Building Official.
93-4. Historical Buildings. Electrical wiring
installations in any building designated as
an Historical Building shall be as designated
by the Building Official.
(6) Section 110-5 of the National Electrical Code
shall be amended to read as follows:
Conductors normally used to carry current shall be
of copper unless otherwise provided in this Code.
Where the conductor material is not specified, the
sizes given in this Code shall apply to copper
conductors. Where other materials are used, the
size shall be changed accordingly. All sections
of the National Electrical Code, 1978 Edition,
allowing the use of aluminum conductors shall be
amended to read that no aluminum conductor smaller
than #6 AWG shall be used.
(7) Section 210-1 is amended by adding new subsections
(a) and (b) following paragraph one to read as
follows:
(a) Accessory uses or other buildings, signs,
etc., separately located on the same lot or
premises shall have connecting conductors run
underground through an approved raceway.
(Agricultural areas excepted.)
(b) Where spare circuit protective devices are
provided or space for future circuit protective
devices are provided on the buss in any flush
or semi -flush mounted panel, raceways of
sufficient capacity to permit utilization of
such spares or spaces shall be provided to an
approved accessible location. Such accessible
d location is defined as follows:
Where sufficient attic space or underfloor
space is available, a raceway shall terminate
conveniently for future use in each such
space. Where this condition does not exist,
such terminations shall be approved by the
electrical inspector.
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(8) Section 210-25 (b) is amended by changing the
sixth paragraph to read as follows:
At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed
in each basement and attached or detached garage
or carports.
(9) Section 210-25 is hereby further amended by adding
new subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) Minimum Wire Size. For the supply of current
to general appliance and convenience receptable
circuits, no conductor smaller than No. 12
A.W.G. shall be installed. No convenience
receptable or appliance receptacle shall be
installed or operated on a general lighting
branch circuit at any time.
Exception: A convenience receptacle may be
on a lighting circuit if used as a switched
lighting outlet.
(10) Section 210-26 is hereby deleted and replaced with
a new Section 210-26 to read as follows:
210-26. Lighting Outlets
(a) Each single family dwelling and each occupancy
of a multi -family dwelling shall have not
less than one general lighting branch circuit
with a,maximum of 12 lighting outlets per
circuit installed, . minimumwiresize shall be
No. 14 A.W.G.
(b) In all occupancies, every room shall have at
least one switched general lighting outlet.
Living rooms, bedrooms, family rooms and dens
may be excepted, provided at least one switched
wall receptacle is installed of the "split
plug" variety and supplied by a lighting
branch circuit and a convenience outlet
circuit.
(c) Entrance doorways providing access to the
premises from the exterior shall be provided
with exterior illumination suitably located.
The illuminating source shall be controlled
by an interior switch conveniently located
near the doorway.
(d) All interior and exterior stairways shall be
equipped with adequate lighting to insure
safety. Such lighting shall have three-way
switches installed at head and foot of each
stairway unless lighting is controlled by
time clocks.
(e) At least one lighting outlet shall be installed
in an attic, underfloor space, utility area
or basement where used for storage or containing
equipment requiring servicing.
(11) Section 215-2b is changed to read as follows:
Ampacity Relative to Service -Entrance Conductors.
The feeder conductor ampacity shall not be lower
than that of the service -entrance conductors where
the feeder conductors carry the total load supplied
by service -entrance conductors No. 1 or smaller.
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(12) Article 215 is hereby amended by adding a new
subsection to be designated 215-10 to read as
follows:
Section 215-10. Conductor Raceway. In commercial
and industrial structures, all feeder conductors
to sub -panels shall be installed in an approved
raceway.
(13) Section 250-115 is amended by changing the first
sentence to read as follows:
250-115. The grounding conductor shall be connected
to the grounding fitting by suitable lugs, pressure
connectors, clamps, or other approved means and
shall be readily accessible.
(14) Section 336-3 is hereby amended by changing the
first paragraph to read as follows:
Section 336-3. Uses Permitted or Not Permitted.
Type NM and type NMC cables shall be permitted to
be used in one or two family dwellings or
multi -family dwellings not exceeding three floors
above grade.
(15) Section 336-11 is deleted in its entirety.
(16) Section 600-2 (a) is hereby deleted as presently
written and the following substituted to read:
Section 600-2 (a). On the Sign. An accessible
disconnecting means consisting of one or more Type
S plug fuses, or a suitable switch shall be installed
in or on each fixed sign and in or on a transformer
enclosure of each electric discharge outline
lighting system to provide means for disconnecting
all ungrounded conductors supplying such equipment.
SECTION 3. Validity.
I£ 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
jurisdication, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council of the
City of San Juan Capistrano hereby declares that it would have
adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence,
clause, phrase or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that
any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases
or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. Violations.
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 provision 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.
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SECTION 5. Repeal.
Ordinances Nos. 271 and 272 are hereby repealed, except
that any matters commenced thereunder shall be processed to
completion under their terms.
SECTION 6. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30
days after its passage. n
SECTION 7. Clerk's Certification.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this
Ordinance and cause same to be posted in the duly designated
posting places within the City of San Juan Capistrano within 15
days after its passage.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of
August 1 1978 , by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmen Hausdorfer, Thorpe and
Buchheim
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Ccunqo6on Schwartze and M r Friess
K NNETHE. FRI SS, MqOR
ATTEST:
ITY CLE17/
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
I, MARY ANN HANOVER, City Clerk of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a
true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 372 , which was
introduced at a meeting of the City Council of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, held on July 19 1978, and adopted at
a meeting held on August 2 1978.
(SEAL)
RY ANN
OVE
CITY
CLERK