2015-601 ORDINANCE NO. 2015-601
An ordinance amending Chapter 15.03 Electrical Code of the Janesville Municipal Code, with
penalties for violations thereof as set forth respectively as applicable in JGO 15.03.110.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 15.03 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Janesville is hereby
amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 15.03
ELECTRICAL CODE
15.03.010 Janesville Electrical Code
15.03.020 Electrical Inspector
15.03.030 Electrical Inspections
15.03.040 Permits
15.03.050 Electrical Licenses and Contractor Information
15.03.060 Electrical Construction Requirements
15.03.070 Street Lighting and Traffic Lights
15.03.080 Invalidity
15.03.090 Liability of City
15.03.100 Appeals
15.03.110 Penalty
Section 15.03.010 - JANESVILLE ELECTRICAL CODE.
The Janesville Electrical Code 1994 dated 2015 on file in pamphlet form with the City Clerk is hereby
adopted and by reference and otherwise made a part of this chapter and ordinance. Every act,
requirement, condition, obligation, regulation, standard, prohibition, rule, provision, and mandate set
forth therein shall have the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein. Every act required or
prohibited therein shall be required or prohibited by this chapter. This section adopts such
modifications, changes and amendments thereto as may be made from time to time.
Section 15.03.020 - ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR - CREATION OF OFFICE -
TERM - SALARY
A. There is hereby created the office of Electrical Inspector. Such inspector shall be
appointed by the City Manager and shall hold office until removed by the City Manager or until his
successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. He shall receive such salary as prescribed by
the City Manager, subject to the approval of the City Council.
B. Qualifications- Powers and Duties.
The person appointed to fill the office of the Electrical Inspector shall be a State of Wisconsin
Certified Licensed Master Electrician.
C. It shall be unlawful for the Electrical Inspector to engage in the business of the
installation or maintenance of electrical wiring and appliances, either directly or indirectly and he shall
have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such business in the City of Janesville at any time
while holding office of Electrical Inspector.
D. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to see that all electrical light, power and
and all other electrical apparatus connected with the same, are in strict conformity
with provisions of this ordinance, the National Electric Code, and the Wisconsin State Electrical Code,
issued by the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations Safety and Professional Services,
under authority of the State Statutes.
E. Said Electrical Inspector shall have the right, during reasonable hours to enter any
public or private buildings in the discharge of his official duties, or for the purpose of making any
inspections or test of the electrical wires and appliances contained therein, and shall have the authority
to cause the turning off of all electrical currents and to cut or disconnect, in cases of emergency, any
wire where such electrical currents are dangerous to life or property or may interfere with the work of
the Fire Department.
Section 15.03.030 - INSPECTIONS
A. It shall be unlawful to connect up the equipment of any building, to any electrical
supply lines or to turn on the current, unless a certificate of inspection has been issued by the Electrical
Inspector, and it shall be the duty of the electrical utility supplying electrical service to any building to
secure a copy of the certificate of inspection from the Electrical Inspector, before supplying service to
such building.
B. Upon the completion of the construction and installation of the electrical wiring and
equipment of any building, including fire alarm systems, area of refuge systems feseue-assistance, and
other such emergency and life safety systems, it shall be the duty of the person, firm or corporation
doing the same, to notify the Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect the installation. If the installation
is found to be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the Inspector shall issue a certificate of
inspection authorizing connection to the electrical service and the turning on of the current. If the
Electrical Inspector, at the time of the inspection, finds any fault with the electrical wiring or
equipment, the Inspector shall notify the person, firm or corporation of such fault. All electrical wiring
and equipment which are is to be concealed, shall be inspected before concealment and no other craft
shall cover up or conceal such wires unless the installation has been inspected and approved by the
Electrical Inspector. The licensed Electrician and /or licensed Electrical Contractor shall provide any
necessary equipment to perform the inspection.
C. Persons, firms or corporations associated with crafts other than electrical and
functioning in their trades shall in no way alter the approved installation of any electrical equipment by
the placement of materials or equipment in too close proximity, by concealment, by making
uinaccessible, or in any way affecting the approved installation so as to make it in violation of this
code.
D. Before a certificate of occupancy will be issued by the Building Inspector, it shall be the
duty of the person, firm or corporation doing the installation of the electrical system to call the
electrical inspector for a final inspection and to have all work conform to this code.
E. It shall be the duty of the State of Wisconsin Licensed Electrical Contractor who has
obtained the electrical permit to contact the Electrical Inspector for all inspections, including the final
inspection, The Wisconsin Licensed Electrical Contractor and/or the Wisconsin Licensed Master
Electrician on record for the Contractor shall meet the Electrical Inspector for inspections when
requested.
F. When electrical wiring and equipment is removed from a building for demolition
purposes, the Wisconsin Licensed Electrician shall call for inspection when such wiring has been
removed and all remaining wiring is installed in a safe condition.
G. Procedures when unsafe or illegal electrical equipment is discovered:
1. Notice to Owner; Failure to Comply. When the Electrical Inspector funds any
electrical equipment to be unsafe or dangerous to persons or property, the person owning or using such
electrical equipment shall be notified in writing by the Electrical Inspector to remove or cause to be
removed or to make any changes or repairs as determined by the Electrical Inspector so as to restore
such electrical equipment to a safe condition. Failure to comply with such notice within the time
specified in such notice shall be sufficient cause for the Electrical Inspector to disconnect or order the
discontinuance of electrical service to said electrical equipment or to cause the arrest and/or cause
issuance of a citation to such person owning or using such electrical equipment
2. In Emergency Situations , the Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to
immediately disconnect or cause the removal or disconnection of any such electrical equipment in any
of the following instances;
a. In any case of emergency, affecting the safety of persons or property, or
where electrical equipment interferes with the work of the Fire Department.
b. Where electrical equipment is not installed in conformity with the
regulations of this Chapter and in the professional opinion of the Electrical Inspector poses an
immediate safety or fire risk.
3. Inspector to Attach Official Notice to Disconnect Equipment When the
Electrical Inspector disconnects or causes to be disconnected electric current from electrical
equipment, the Inspector shall attach an official notice, tag, lock or seal to such electrical equipment to
prevent the use of electricity. It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to detach such official
notice, tag, lock, seal or to break open, change, remove, destroy, tear, alter, mutilate, cover, or
otherwise deface of -injury any such official notice, tag, lock or seal.
H. Electrical Inspections required to be completed after normal business hours, such as, but
not limited to emergencies, electrical service changes, and emergency lighting inspections will be
assessed a special inspection fee determined by the adopted fee schedule. This fee shall be paid in full
before the final electrical inspection will be approved and occupancy may occur.
Section 15.03.040 - PERMITS
A. Before any electrical wires or electrical apparatus shall be installed for lighting or
power purposes, including fire alarm, area of refuge feseue-asaistanc-e, and other such emergency and
life safety systems, or any electrical construction work done, except minor electrical work, an electrical
permit therefore shall be obtained from the Electrical Inspector by a licensed electrician a State of
Wisconsin licensed Electrical Contractor as defined in SPS 305. The licensed Electrical Contractor
shall be or shall employ a State of Wisconsin Licensed Master Electrician or a Residential Licensed
Master Electrician as defined in SPS 305. -: - - _ : - : - : - - -: : , - : • • - :
' •
. _ . . . . •..• . • .•
- :
- 2 • * : a • • : : • aa • : - : • Permits obtained by industrial
facilities exempted by the State of Wisconsin are required to obtain permits as outlined within this
Code section, the permit is allowed to be obtained by the facility owner and signed by the employee
responsible for the wiring.
1. The electrical permit application shall describe in detail the proposed installation
or work and give the location of the premises where same is to be placed. No permit shall be issued
unless satisfactory proof is furnished to the Electrical Inspector upon his request, that the applicant has
been employed to perform the work or installation and will be responsible for the performance thereof
in the manner required by the City ordinance or by the State laws; nor unless proof be submitted that
the applicant has paid to the Electrical Inspector the fees herein required.
2. Any electrical wiring qualifying as "minor electrical work" as defined in section
15.03.060 B. shall not require an electrical permit.
B. A permit shall also be required for the installation of any outlet and any electrical wiring for
use on any circuit including wiring for low voltage wiring (50 volts and below) for control of heating,
ventilating, cooling, lighting, signal and communication equipment, excepting signal systems, operated by,
and/or in conjunction with communications systems installed and maintained by a public utility. A State
Electrical license is not required to obtain these low voltage permits.
Class A licensed electricians. Permits arc required for connecting electricity to new and replacement
signs. Demolition or removal of electrical wiring and equipment, such as panelboards, transformers,
luminaries, conduits, wires and similar electrical equipment within buildings shall require an electrical
permit. Wiring shall always be left in a safe condition, with all wiring enclosed in proper enclosures.
D.E. In cases of emergency, work may be started before the permit has been issued, provided
the Electrical Inspector is notified the same day such work is started. If the emergency occurs on a day
the ` - . •, -• - • . .. • : - - Building & Development Services Division is closed, the
Department Division shall be notified the next business day.
E.DT Electrical permits shall expire 24 months after the date of issuance of the permit. If
such permit expires, a new permit shall be issued at the regular fee rate.
F. It shall be unlawful for any person with a State of Wisconsin Electrical Contractor
license and/or a licensed Master Electrician to allow the use of his license, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of obtaining local permits for others not directly employed as an employee by the licensed
individual or company.
G. City of Janesville Electrical permits shall be signed by the State of Wisconsin Licensed
Electrical Contractor and by the licensed Master Electrician of record for the Contractor if different.
• i i i
A. • No person, cithcr individually, as a mcmbcr o . - - , • . : - - - - . - - - •
repair work, shall be done by a person not having such license. Thc Electrical Inspector may,
B. Unli - - . . . - - : ' - • . : - -- -- - . . -- - - . • .., .
"Class A" Licensc shall only be issucd to a person who holds a State of Wisconsin Certificate
E. Thc Electrical Inspector may investigate any charges or compl inth filed w hich may be
brought against the holder of a license and revoke or suspend such license— fer—vielatiens- er
noncompliance with any of the provisions of this Cod- - - •, . - ' - - - - - •• -
-- !' - - - -- • . ! ... . _ . , ., :::•-
F. Any person whose license has bcen suspcnded or revoked shall perform no electrical
• ., - • - :. ing thc period of suspcnsion. If work is performed while thc licensee is
- , • . . - - - -- . - -, . - - . -. - , . . . - .. - . _. ..
-- , . ._'. '. . _- -- :•--: . -- . -- , ., - _ - , .
€leotrical-Inspector,
Section 15.03.050 — LICENSES AND PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
A. State of Wisconsin Licensed Electrical Contractors shall submit the following
information to the City of Janesville annually, at a date determined by the City of Janesville, or with
the electrical permit application. Electrical permits shall not be issued unless such information is
submitted to the City of Janesville Building and Development Services Division. The information
shall be submitted by the applicant of the Electrical permit.
1. Copy of State of Wisconsin Electrical Contractor license.
2. Mailing and street address of the State of Wisconsin Licensed Electrical
Contractor.
3. Phone number(s), fax number and e-mail address of the State of Wisconsin
Licensed Electrical Contractor.
4. Name of the State of Wisconsin Master Electrician employed by the Licensed
Electrical Contractor.
5. Copy of the State of Wisconsin Master Electrician license.
6. Mailing and street address of the State of Wisconsin Master Electrician.
7. Phone number(s), fax number and e-mail address of the State of Wisconsin
Master Electrician.
8. No person shall be listed as the State of Wisconsin Master Electrician for an
electrical permit who is not physically supervising any person or Company found to violate said
requirement shall be subject to the penalty provisions of Section 15.03.110 of this chapter.
B. All persons installing wiring within the City of Janesville shall be licensed by the State
of Wisconsin Master, Journeyman, Registered Electrician or other electrical licensed categories as
defined in SPS 305. These licensed persons shall comply with the regulations set forth by SPS 305 for
their respective electrical licenses.
C. Unlicensed persons performing electrical wiring, whether or not for compensation, shall
be in violation of this section and subject to the penalties set forth in section 15,03.120 of this chapter.
D. Homeowners Test
1. The Homeowner's Test shall be given to persons who occupies their personal,
single - family residence who wish to do their own electrical work. Identification shall be provided at
the time of testing, in the form of a driver's license or other Government issued picture identification to
assure the homeowner is the person taking the test, The address on the picture identification address
shall correspond to the property address indicated by City of 'Janesville land records for which the
person is applying to take the homeowners test. The passing score for the test shall be 70% or above in
order for the homeowner to receive an electrical permit. If the homeowner does not pass the test, they
will be allowed to retake the test 30 days from the date of the previous test. This test is to assure that
the homeowner is qualified and competent to do electrical wiring in a safe and code complying
manner.
2. The homeowners test shall be valid up to 1 year after such test is taken. The
electrical permit shall be obtained for the same type of work for which the test was taken.
3. Homeowners who have installed wiring without 1S properly obtaining an
electrical permit will only be allowed to take the homeowners test once, if the homeowner does not
pass the test the 1 time, then the homeowner must hire a licensed Electrical Contractor to obtain an
electrical permit and complete the electrical wiring.
Section 15.03.060 - ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
A. The current National Electrical Code (NEC), as adopted by the State Electrical Code,
Department of GommereeSafety and Professional Services, Chapter SPS 316 and SPS 305 of the
Wisconsin Administrative code, which changes and alterations are hereby adopted, is hereby adopted
by reference. A copy of the current NEC and a copy of the Wisconsin Administrative Code Comm
SPS Chapter 316 and 305 are kept on file in the office of the Department of Public Works, Building &
Development Services Division Cede-Administration. - • - - - _ : . • .... - -
_. 1. - • . _.
SPS Chapter 316 and 305: • • . .. -6_ . - - _ : . - - • - • - - . ' . _ . - - - - _ .. - ..
E.. - .. - . - .,
• . B. Minor electrical work shall be defined as, repairing for the purpose of maintaining the
existing electrical system only, ' such as replacing an existing ' light fixture, a receptacle, a motor, a
lighting ballast and similar such item which are broken or not functioning properly . Minor electrical
work does not include such items as replacing existing conduits, replacing multiple lights, receptacles
or switches, relocating of electrical devices and similar type electrical wiring.
D C. Where electrical services are upgraded or service equipment is replaced, the following
work will be required:
1. The All grounding shall be brought up to existing code requirements according
to the current NEC, State Electrical Code, and the rules in this chapter.
2. All wiring in the basement must be brought up to existing electrical codes as
stated in (a) above. Any wiring that is visible and is a safety hazard shall be corrected according to all
current electrical codes. A minimum of 1 ground fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle shall be
installed in existing unfinished basements. New receptacle outlets added shall comply with current
electrical codes.
3. Panelboards installed for new electrical services shall have a minimum of 20
spaces for branch circuit breakers.
4. All electrical service equipment and associated electrical wiring shall be
replaced, partial replacement of electrical service equipment and wiring shall only be allowed if
specifically approved by the Electrical Inspector.
D. All temporary services and permanent services installed on poles or on the surface of
any type of building shall have service conductors installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, and electrical metallic tubing and PVC conduit.
E All temporary wiring used in the construction of the building shall be taken out before
buildings are given final inspection.
G.F. Raceways installed for the purpose of communication systems, fiber optic systems or
similar systems located in Chapters 7 and 8 in the NEC, shall be installed in accordance with the
Chapter 3 of the NEC.
IG. Mobile Home Parks. Wiring from the utility company to the mobile home panel board
shall be the responsibility of the mobile home park owner. All wiring, except inside the mobile home,
shall be done by a licensed electrician and shall be the responsibility of the park owner.
H. Remodeling of existing dwelling units, electrical outlets (receptacles, switches, lighting
outlets, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and similar type devices) shall be installed in
accordance with present Code requirements when walls, ceiling and floor coverings are removed. Wall
coverings include but are not limited to drywall, plaster, plywood, paneling and similar covering
materials.
I. All occupancies where remodeling and/or renovations are taking place, the existing
electrical wiring in such areas shall be in compliance with all applicable Electrical Codes. Existing
wiring may remain as installed, if such electrical wiring was installed in accordance with applicable
Codes at the time of the initial installation.
J. All electrical wiring and equipment shall be in compliance with this Code when
installed, whether such electrical wiring and equipment is energized or de- energized.
Section 15.03.070 - STREET LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS
A. Unless otherwise specifically provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council all
electrical work performed on City projects, whether street lighting or traffic signals, or otherwise, shall
be constructed and all work done directly by the City without submitting the same for bids.
B. All work done except repair work on City owned traffic signals and street lights are
required to have permits as defined in 15.03.040 of this chapter.
Section 15.03.080 - INVALIDITY OF PART
Invalidity of Pa t7 If any section, subsection, paragraph, clause or provisions of this code shall
be adjudged invalid, such adjudication shall apply only to the provisions so adjudged, and the rest of
this code shall remain valid and effective.
Section 15.03.090 - LIABILITY OF CITY
This ordinance shall not be construed to relieve or lesson the responsibility or liability of any party
owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to anyone injured or
any property destroyed by any defect herein nor shall the City be held as assuming any such liability
by reason of the inspection authorized herein or certificate of inspection herein provided.
Section 15.03.100 - APPEALS
All appeals for variance of the NEC & ILHR SPS Chapter 316 shall be made to the State of
Wisconsin. Any variance to Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Janesville shall be
made to the City of Janesville Zoning Board of Appeals.
Section 15.03.110 - PENALTY
A. Any person, firm or corporation, or any officer of any corporation, who violates or
causes to be violated any provision of the building code or any order issued under the provisions of the
building code shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than twenty -five ($25) dollars, nor more
than five hundred ($500) dollars, together with the costs of prosecution and in default of payment
thereof shall be committed to the Rock County Jail for a term of not less than five (5) days nor more
than sixty (60) days.
B. It shall be the responsibility of the offender to abate the violations as expeditiously as
possible.
C. Each and every day that a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
D. The city, in addition to the above penalties, may institute injunction, mandamus,
abatement or any other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, enjoin, abate or remove the
violation, and /or the common council may revoke any license or permit.
E. If, in any action, a permit was issued, it shall not constitutes a defense, or shall any
error, oversight, or dereliction of duty on the part of the Electrical Inspector constitute a defense.
ADOPTED: May 11, 2015 Motion by: Gruber
Second by: Tidwell
APPROVED: Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
� Bobzien X
Deupree
Mark . Freitag City Mana Farrell X
Gruber X
ATT ES : Liebert X
Marklein X
Tidwell X
Da T. Godek, Deputy City Clerk- Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
el
Wald Klimcz , City Attorney
Proposed by: Building & Development Services
Prepared by: Building & Development Services