City Code, ExplainedBetaPardon our dust while we build this out — expect some changes along the way.

This chapter adopts electrical safety standards for wiring, equipment, and installations in buildings and structures, and sets permitting and inspection requirements for electrical work.

Who this affects

Anyone installing, altering, or extending electrical wiring or equipment in a building or structure in the City, including homeowners and contractors doing electrical work, who must generally obtain a permit and pass inspection before the system can be used.

Key rules

• All electric wiring for light, heat and power service, and equipment for radio and television receiving systems, must comply with the adopted Electrical Code.
• The Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405) is adopted as the municipal building code.
• Conformity to the National Electrical Code is prima facie evidence that an installation is reasonably safe and compliant.
• Materials and equipment listed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. or other accredited testing organizations, installed per their recommendations, are accepted as meeting the Code's requirements.
• The Code Enforcement Officer administers and enforces the Electrical Code and may enter any building, structure, or premises at any reasonable hour, upon proper identification, to carry out official duties.
• A permit from the Code Enforcement Officer is required before installing, altering, or adding to electrical wiring, devices, or equipment, except as specified in §§ 112-9 through 112-12.
• No permit is required for minor repair work such as repairing fuses and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles, tapping joints, repairing drop cords, replacing lamps, or connecting portable devices to permanently installed receptacles.
• No permit is required for signal or communication wiring/devices/equipment that are an integral part of a telephone or telegraph company's authorized service.
• No permit is required for wiring, devices, or equipment installed for or by a public utility corporation for its use in operating as a public utility.
• The Code Enforcement Officer may permit temporary current for partial installations or testing purposes.
• Permit applications must be made in writing and state conductor sizes, area served, and the basis for sizing; complete plans and specifications may be required.
• No electrical wiring system may be used or connected to service until the work is inspected and approved by the Middle Department Association of Fire Underwriters or a similar organization, a duplicate approval report is filed with the Code Enforcement Officer, and a certificate of approval is secured.
• The Code Enforcement Officer and authorized representatives may inspect any premises within the City at reasonable times to check for defective or unsafe electrical wiring and apparatus.
• A determination that wiring is defective must be made in writing by the Code Enforcement Officer, with notice to the owner (personally or by mail to the address on the latest tax records) and reasons for the decision.
• If wiring is found defective and unsafe, use of the defective portion must be discontinued until it is corrected to comply with the National Electrical Code.

Penalties

Any person violating this chapter shall be fined not more than $1,000 and, in default of payment of fine and costs, may be imprisoned not more than 90 days. Payment of a fine does not excuse the violation or permit it to continue.

Notable and archaic details

• Inspection approval historically runs through the Middle Department Association of Fire Underwriters (or a similar organization), not solely a City office.
• Notice of a defective-wiring determination may be delivered by regular mail to the address on the latest tax records, rather than requiring direct personal service.