§ 105-114. Permits and inspectors.

(a)

Permit required. An electrical permit is required for each installation, alteration, addition or repair of electrical work for light, heat and power within the limits of the city. Permits for the installation of electrical work in new structures shall only be issued to electrical contractors duly licensed by the state. Permits for the installation, alteration, addition or repair of electrical work in existing structures shall only be issued to electrical contractors duly licensed by the state or to resident owners of property where the work is to be done.

(b)

Public service corporation exception. No permit shall be required for electrical installations of equipment owned, leased, operated or maintained by a public service corporation which is used by said corporation in the performance of its function as a utility, except that such electrical installation shall conform to the minimum standards of the National Electrical Safety Code.

(c)

Ownership. Ownership of any transmission or distribution lines or appurtenances thereto, including, but not limited to, transformers, shall not be transferred by a public service corporation to any person, except another franchised public service corporation dealing in electric energy for distribution and sale, without a permit first having been issued therefore by the city. Such permit shall be issued only after the facilities to be transferred have been inspected and approved as provided in this article and upon payment of an inspection fee as set forth in this section of the article.

(d)

Application and plans. Application for such permit, describing the electrical work to be done, shall be made in writing, to the city by the person so registered to do such work. The application shall be accompanied by such plans, specifications and schedules as may be necessary to determine whether the electrical installation as described will be in conformity with all the legal requirements. The fees for electrical inspection as set forth in this section shall accompany such application. If applicant has complied with all of the provisions of this section, a permit for such electrical installation shall be issued.

(e)

Concealment. All electrical installations which involve the concealment of wiring or equipment shall have a "rough-in" inspection prior to concealment, wherein the inspector shall be duly notified in advance, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

(f)

Inspection fees.

(1)

Permits required. Before commencing any installation of any work regulated by this section, a permit therefore shall be secured from the building department and the fee for such permit paid. The fees schedule set forth in Minn. Stats. § 326B.37 is adopted by reference and incorporated herein. No such permit shall be issued to do any of the work or make any installation regulated by this section except to persons licensed to do such work under the terms of this section. Holders of a contractor's license shall not obtain permits for electrical work unless the work is supervised by them and is performed by workers employed by them or their firm.

(2)

Fees double, when. Should any person begin work of any kind, such as set forth in this section, or for which a permit from the electrical inspector is required by ordinance, without having secured the necessary permit therefore from the inspector of buildings either previous to or during the day of the commencement of any such work, or on the next succeeding day where such work is commenced on a Saturday or on a Sunday or a holiday, he shall, when subsequently securing such permit, be required to pay double the fees provided for such permit.

(3)

Additional fees and/or shortages. Additional fees and/or fee shortages must be received by the city within 14 days of written notice. If additional fees and/or fee shortages are not received within 14 days of notice, permits for electrical installations will not be accepted by the city until such time as the additional fees and/or fee shortages are received.

(g)

Electrical inspections.

(1)

At regular intervals, the electrical inspector shall visit all premises where work may be done under annual permits and shall inspect all electrical equipment installed under such a permit since the day of his last previous inspection, and shall issue a certificate of approval for such work as is found to be in conformity with the provisions of this section, after the fee required has been paid.

(2)

When any electrical equipment is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of parts of the building, the person installing the equipment shall notify the electrical inspector and such equipment shall not be concealed until it has been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector or until 24 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, shall have elapsed from the time of such scheduled inspection; provided, that on large installations where the concealment of equipment proceeds continuously, the person installing the electrical equipment shall give the electrical inspector due notice and inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the work.

(3)

If upon inspection, the installation is not found to be fully in conformity with the provisions of this section, the electrical inspector shall at once forward to the person making the installation a written notice stating the defects which have been found to exist.

(Ord. No. 11-02, § 1, 7-13-2011)