O-85-2158 - 3/14/1985ORDINANCE NO. 2158
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3, SECTION 8, CODE OF ORDINANCE, CITY
OF ROUND ROCK; ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, 1984 EDITION,
REGULATING ELECTRICAL WORK AND PERFORMING SAME, ESTABLISHING
LICENSING, PERMIT, INSPECTION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES AND MINIMUM
STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR CURRENT LICENSES, PERMITS AND
BONDS, THEREFORE: PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEALING CONFLICTING
ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,
TEXAS. THAT:
I.
That Chapter 3 Section 8, Code of Ordinance, City of Round Rock,
Texas is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 8: ELECTRICAL CODE
A. GENERAL
(1) TITLE: The title of this section shall be the "Round Rock
Electrical Code," and may be cited as such and it will be referred
to in this section as "this code."
(2) NATIONAL CODE: The National Electric Code, 1984 Edition, is
hereby adopted as part of this Code to the same effect as if it were
copied verbatim herein and shall be in effect except as it may be in
conflict with the provisions of this section. It may be referred to
herein as NEC.
(3) SCOPE: The Code shall govern all installations of electrical
conductors or equipment hereafter made, and all existing
installations which are altered, or for which the use has changed.
Repair and maintenance work shall be such that if any "electrical
conductor or equipment" is removed and later replaced, same shall be
replaced in accordance with the provisions of this code.
(4) LOW ENERGY CIRCUITS: Permit requirements of this code shall not
apply to low voltage electrical conductors or requirement of Art. 720
and Art. 725 of the National Electric Code.
(5) RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFE WORK: This code shall not be construed
to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any
person owning, operating, or installing electrical conductor devices,
appliances, fixtures, apparatus, motors or equipment, for damages to
persons or buildings caused by any defect therein nor shall the city
be held liable for any damages by reason of enforcement or
nonenforcement of this code.
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(6) PURPOSE: To reduce the personal and fire hazards from
electrical causes, and to establish licensing and permit and
inspection procedures to assure quality electrical work. To
accomplish this, the requirements set forth are intended to be
minimum standards for electrical work.
(7) UNLAWFUL ACTS PROHIBITED: It shall be unlawful for any person,
as owner, agent, lessee, renter or otherwise to violate, disobey, or
refuse to comply with, or resist, or oppose the execution of this
code, and it shall be unlawful for any person to occupy or maintain
any building or structure in which the electrical work, wiring or
appliances are in violation of this code. Any person who commits any
acts declared to be unlawful, or fail to perform and act required by
this code, shall be subject to the provisions of this code. Any
electrical installations erected or altered in violation of this code
shall be summarily condemmed and removed at the expense of the person
erecting or altering or allowing the same.
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B: DEFINITIONS
(1) BOARD: The Electrical Examining & Advisory Board of the City of
Round Rock as appointed by the City Council. (See Section C(4)
(2) CITY: City shall mean the territory within the corporate limits
of the City of Round Rock.
(3) CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR: The employee of the City appointed
by the City Manager. (See Section C(2)
(4) LICENSED ELECTRICIAN: A licensed electrician under provisions
of this code; that he has paid the necessary license fee to date and
that his name is carried in the records of the Chief Electrical
Inspector as a person authorized to do electrical work as defined by
this code.
(5) APPRENTICE ELECTRICIAN: A person who is learning the trade of an
electrician and who works under the direct supervision of a master or
journeyman electrician and who is licensed as an apprentice as
provided in this code.
(6) MAINTENANCE: Maintenance shall mean the act of keeping in a
state of safe operating condition any conductor or piece of equipment
used inside or outside, attached or connected to any building
electrical system by replacement of units or elements thereof, but
shall not include additions to, or replacement of an existing system
or branch.
(7) ELECTRICAL WORK: Any act in connection with the installing,
altering, or repairing of electrical wires, conduits apparatus, or
other electrical installation, designed or capable of carrying
electrical energy, which act ordinarily requires the use of tools.
(8) ELECTRICAL EXPERIENCE: Active and practical experience during
which no less than two-thirds of one's time, exclusive of normal
periods of rest and recreation, has been spent doing electrical work
in or on residential or commercial type buildings or premises. A
bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from a college or
university which requires at least four years of study in residence
as a prerequisite to such degree, shall be considered the equivalent
of three years of experience, and the satisfactory completion of one
hundred and twenty semester hours of work required for such degree
shall be considered the equivalent of one year experience.
(9) ROUGH -IN WORK: Initial rough work of installing, altering,
repairing or maintaining of electrical wires, conduits, apparatus or
other electrical installation, performed so that all such work is
easily visible and may be easily corrected or changed.
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(10) READILY ACCESSIBLE: (As applied to service disconnecting means
230-72C of the NEC.) All buildings shall have a main line disconnect
switch at the closest point of entrance on the outside of the
building. (See Section 6(2) for exceptions.r
(11) REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME: Two weeks, unless otherwise noted by
the Chief Electrical Inspector in writing.
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C: ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
(1) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYEES: No employee of the Building
Inspection Department, shall be financially interested in the;
furnishing of labor, material, or equipment for the installation,
alteration or maintenance of electrical wiring, fixtures, or
equipment or in the making of plans or specifications therefore,
unless he is the owner of the property on which the installation
exists or is planned to take place.
(2) CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR: There is hereby created the office
of Chief Electrical Inspector who shall be appointed by the City
Manager. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall have had at least two
(2) years experience as an electrician, shall be of good moral
character, and shall be versed in the approved methods of electrical
construction for safety of life and property and the National
Electrical Code. He shall receive such compensation as the Council
may decide. The Chief Electrical Inspector is hereby designated as
the person responsible for the administration and enforcement of this
code, and who shall discharge. the duties and have the authority
hereafter provided. The Chief Electrical Inspector may delegate said
authority to inspectors and other employees of the Building
Inspection Department as may be required to carry out his duties.
The Chief Electrical Inspector shall be responsible to the Building
Official and the City Manager, each of whom are authorized to act in
lieu of and with the same authority as the Chief Electrical
Inspector.
(3) POWERS OF INSPECTORS: The Chief Electrical Inspector
and Inspectors shall have the following powers:
(a) To enforce the provisions of this code and to file complaints in
municipal court against persons who violate any of its provisions.
(b) To enter any house or premises during reasonable hours, or while
any electrical wiring or fixtures or equipment is being installed; to
examine any electrical wiring or installation of electrical wiring,
fixtures or equipment therein in the performance of his official
duties.
(c) To order electrical service disconnected where improper or
defective wiring exists, or where electrical construction or
equipment has been installed without a permit as required by this
code.
(d) To order compliance with this code where a change of occupancy
occurs in a building which requires changes or alteration to existing
building.
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(e) To disconnect electrical service in cases of emergency where
necessary for the safety of persons or property or where electrical
equipment may interfere with the work of the Fire Department.
(f) To attach to electrical equipment or electrical meters any
official notice or seal which might be necessary to prevent the use
of electricity: and it shall be unlawful for any person to use any
such seal or break, change, destroy, tear, mutilate, cover or
otherwise deface or injure any such official notice or seal posted by
any electrical inspector.
(g) To order persons to cease or desist doing any work being done
without a permit where a permit is required or where such work is
otherwise being is violation of this code. It shall be unlawful for
any person to interfere with the enforcement official or his/her
assistants in the discharge of their duties or to prevent them from
carrying out the provisions of this code.
(h) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall make a thorough inspection
of all electrical work from time to time, and where such electrical
work is in a dangerous or unsafe condition, or is deemed to be an
interference with the work of the Fire Department, the official shall
notify the person owning, using, or operating such electrical work to
place it in a safe, secure and non -interfering condition. Any person
failing, neglecting or refusing within a reasonable amount of time to
make the necessary changes or repair, and have the necessary work
completed within a reasonable amount of time, shall be deemed guilty
of violation of this chapter and every day which shall elapse after
the expiration of such reasonable time until such wire and apparatus
are repaired, removed or changed as required by the enforcement
official shall be considered a separate offense within the intent and
meaning of this code.
(i) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall require plans,
specifications and a complete feeder layout of installations of
electrical work, and, when such plans, specifications, layouts are
demanded, it shall be a violation of this code to install any part of
the electrical work concerned until the enforcement official
initially approves installation.
(4) INSPECTION
(a) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall inspect and approve
electrical work after rough -in work is completed and requests for
inspections are made.
(b) All requests for inspection of electrical work shall be made
twenty-four hours before the electrical work concerned is to be
concealed or connected for service, as the case may be by the permit
electrician.
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(c) When any electrical work for which a permit is required under
this code has been installed, but not concealed or connected for
service, as the case may be, the electrician to whom the permit
was issued shall request inspections by notifying the
Chief Electrical Inspector in such manner as the Chief Electrical
Inspector may prescribe; the Chief Electrical Inspector shall inspect
such electrical work as soon as practical and within forty-eight
hours of notification except Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.
(d) No electrical work for which a permit is required under this
code shall be concealed in any manner from access or plain sight
until such electrical work has been inspected and approved by
the Chief Electrical Inspector and no electrical work shall be
completed and connected to a source of energy until such electrical
work is completed and all outlets supplied with approved fixtures,
devices or covers, and such electrical work has been finally approved
for service.
(e) Whenever the complexity of electrical work may demand it, the
Chief Electrical Inspector may schedule inspections to be made of
phases of electrical work completed and ready for inspection. It
shall be unlawful for any person to fail to request inspections
pursuant to such schedule and subsection (b) hereof.
(f) If the electrical work upon final inspection meets all the
requirements of this code, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall
immediately make the necessary service records to allow connection of
such electrical work to a source of energy provided that should such
electrical work fail to meet such requirements, then written notice
by the Chief Electrical Inspector of existing deficiencies shall be
given to the permitted electrician, such electrician shall promptly
correct the defects and request reinspection.
(g) Whenever a permitted electrician is given notice of defects in
electrical work, he shall promptly correct same. Failure to do
so within fifteen days of notice of defects shall be unlawful
and a violation of this code and in addition to any other penalties,
the Chief Electrical Inspector shall refuse to issue any further
permits for electrical work to such electrician until existing
defects are corrected and approved in accordance with the provisions
of this code.
(h) After final inspection, a written certificate of approval shall
be issued, upon request, to a permit electrician to cover any
electrical work done by him and approved by the Chief Electrical
Inspector.
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(i) When a permited electrician does not have the contract for
finishing the electrical work covered by his permit, he shall
request an inspection in writing of the electrical work completed
by him, specifying therein the extent of his obligation to install
electrical work.
(j) When any permitted electrician refuses to request a final
inspection on substantially completed work covered by his permit, the
owner or person in control of the premises where the electrical work
has been performed may request inspection. Notice of such request
shall be given to the permitted electrician by the Chief Electrical
Inspector.
(5) ELECTRICAL EXAMINING AND ADVISORY BOARD CREATED: There is
hereby created an "Electrical Examining and Advisory Board"
consisting of six (6) persons; four (4) of whom shall be qualified
Master Electricians. Of the remaining two (2) members, one (1) shall
be actively engaged in any building or construction trade and one (1)
shall be an employee of Texas Power & Light Co. (TP&L). This board
shall determine the qualifications of anyone desiring to enter the
business of any of the following:
A. Master Electrician
B. Journeyman Electrician
C. Apprectice Electrician
(a) The Electrical Inspector shall be an ex -officio, non-voting
member of said Board.
(b) Members of the Board and their successors shall be appointed by
the City Council and shall hold office for two (2) years, or until
their successors are appointed and have qualified; except, the terms
of the first members of the Board shall be appointed three for one
year and three for two years.
(c) If persons in building or construction trades are not available
for service on the Board, the Council may appoint such other persons
as it deems qualified to serve.
(d) All members shall serve without compensation.
(e) The members of the Board shall meet as soon after their
appointment as practicable for the purpose of organization. The Board
shall formally elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from its members
and may adopt such rules as it deems necessary for the orderly
conduct of its affairs. A full and complete record of the proceedings
of said Board shall be kept in a bound record book.
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(f) The Board shall submit to the Council such recommendations for
the improvement and revision of this Section 8 as it may from time to
time deem necessary and proper in the light of the development of new
materials, methods or techniques which would result in a better and
more economical installation. All requests for use of materials
or methods not covered in this Code shall be fully supported by
factual evidence, or prior approval, from a recognized testing agency
or such impartial qualified authority acceptable to the Board.
(g) Four (4) members of the Board present at any meeting shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority
of the members present and voting shall be necessary to constitute an
official action of the Board, provided that when applications for
Certificate of Registration are being considered, a member who is
also a qualified Master Electrician must be present.
(h) A record of all official transactions of the Board shall be kept
in such a manner as to properly reflect the business transacted by
said Board.
(i) The Electrical Inspector shall act as Secretary to said Board.
The procedures and order of business shall be established by the
Board.
(j) Certificate of Registration - MASTER ELECTRICIAN: It shall
be the duty of said Board to pass upon the qualifications of all
applications for a Certificate of Registration as Master and
Journeyman Electrician to do business in the City of Round Rock; The
Board shall fix the date of examination for such applicant, which
examination shall be held quarterly or more often as may be decided
by the Board. The Board shall make reasonable rules relating to the
type of examination required so as to determine the qualifications of
applicants.
(k) The Board shall prescribe a written examination of a uniform,
fair, impartial nature, testing the applicant's knowledge of the
electrical ordinances and regulations of the City of Round Rock
and his ability to read simple electrical plans. All
examinations shall be graded promptly by the Board. The Board may
prescribe certain other fair, impartial tests of the applicant's
skill and ability in work involving the alteration, installation and
repair of electrical wiring and equipment.
(1) All applications for examination shall be made in writing,
addressed to the Board, and shall be accompanied by an examining fee
as prescribed in (5)(n), said fee includes one examination.
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(m) The City of Round Rock will waive the requirement for an
examination to electricians with licenses from cities which agree to
reciprocate with Round Rock. The examination and examination fees
will be waived.
(n) The examination, registration and annual fees for the various
classes of electricians shall be as follows:
Classification Exam Registration Annual Surety
Fee Fee Fee Bond
1. Master Electrician $10.00 $100.00 $50.00 $5,000.00
2. Journeyman Electrician $10.00 $ 50.00 $25.00
3. Apprentice Electrician
$ 10.00 $ 5.00
(6) GRANDFATHER CLAUSE
The City of Round Rock will waive the examination for persons
applying for licenses providing the following conditions are met:
(a) Applicant shall be the owner of an electrical business whose
principal office is located in Round Rock.
(b) Applicant shall have a minimum of 6 years electrical
experience, and maintain a permanent mailing address and
telephone in the City telephone exchange.
(c) Applicant shall be at least 21 years of age.
If the above conditions are applicable, only the exam and exam fees
will be waived. A registration fee will be charged as established in
(5)(a) above.
(7) GRACE PERIOD
For a period of ninety (90) days after the effective date of this
code, the City of Round Rock will continue to allow electrical work
to be performed by electricians working under the license issued by
any city in Texas. After this ninety (90) day grace period, the City
of Round Rock will only recognize licenses issued by the City of
Round Rock, as established by this code.
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D. PERMITS AND FEES
(1) REQUIRED -GENERAL EXCEPTIONS: Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this code, it shall be unlawful for any person to install
or cause to be installed, or to permit any person to install , any
electrical wiring fixtures or equipment within or on any building,
structure, or premises, publically or privately owned, or to make any
alterations, additions, changes or repairs within the scope of this
code without having procured a permit therefore issued by the Chief
Electrical Inspector. Accessory buildings,tourist cottages or group
houses shall not be considered separate buildings when the work is to
be installed as one complete project, and at one time; except where
separate meter loops are installed.
(a) There shall not be more than one permit issued or outstanding at
the same time for any one installation of electrical equipment.
(b) No service entrance equipment shall be connected to an
electrical distribution system unless it has been approved and a
permit shall have been obtained and fees paid.
(2) PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
(a) No permit shall be required for the replacement of lamps, switch
and receptacle plates, covers, fuses,or for the connection of
portable electrical equipment to suitable permanently installed
receptacles.
(b) No permit shall be required for the installation of electrical
conductors or equipment to be installed where such installation is in
accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the City,
and where such installation will be within and on the premises with
the control and supervision of the State Highway Department of Texas,
and where such installation will be part of highway facilities
operated, maintained, or controlled by said State Highway Department.
(c) No permit shall be required for the installation of electrical
conductors or equipment to be installed by or for a public utility
corporation in the generation, transmission, sale or use of
electrical energy as outlined in their franchise; nor for the use of
such corporation in the transmission of messages.
(d) No permit shall be required for the replacement of a motor by
another motor of the same horsepower and rating, solenoid valves, low
pressure controls or other controls when the electrical supply to
the same is or has been properly installed by a licensed electrician.
(e) No permit shall be required for any work involved in the
manufacturing, testing or servicing, altering or repairing of
electrical equipment or apparatus, except that this exemption shall
not include any permanent wiring.
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(f) No permit shall be required for maintenance work performed by a
licensed electrician on the premises of his employer.
(3) APPLICATION GENERALLY: Application for permits shall be made in
writing upon forms provided by the City for the purpose. When
required by the Chief Electrical Inspector, the application shall
include a diagram or plan showing clearly the character and kind of
wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment work to be done. The
plan or electrical diagram shall have a definate scale and show the
manner in which the electrical installation is to be made and/or the
character of any repairs to any existing installation showing the
point at which service connection is required, the site of the
feeders and sub -feeders, the location at service switches and centers
of distribution, the arrangement of circuits and the number of
outlets connected thereto. The applications shall also contain the
following information: the date the application is submitted, the
name of the person under whose authority the application is made, the
name of the person actually offering the application, the address
where electrical work is to be done, a description of the electrical
work to be done and other pertinent information required by the Chief
Electrical Inspector.
(4) PERMITS -TO WHOM ISSUED
(a) Permits shall be issued to licensed Master Electricians, or their
duly authorized agents, who shall be certified to the Chief
Electrical Inspector by affidavit stating that said electrician
assumes all and full responsibility for any permit taken out or
applied for by said agent. This affidavit shall be kept on file
after it has been approved by the City Attorney.
(b) Permits shall be issued to a person performing electrical work
with his own hands in a single family dwelling owned by him and
claimed as his homestead.
(c) When the permitted electrician fails or refuses to complete
electrical work, in whole or in part, on any electrical wiring or
installation of fixtures or equipment, a new permit may be issued
upon written request of the owner or person in charge of
construction, and fees therefore shall be assessed covering all
electrical work done or to be done, whether completed or not at the
time a subsequent permit is issued. Before any subsequent permit is
issued, the enforcement official shall notify the permited
electrician failing or refusing to complete the electrical work, if
he can be found, to show cause within ten days of receipt of written
notice why a subsequent permit should not be issued to a subsequent
electrician. All written requests for subsequent permits shall set
forth the reasons why the current permited electrician has failed or
refused to complete electrical work. If subsequent permits are
issued, all subsisting permits shall be cancelled by the enforcement
official, and no fees due therefor shall be refunded or credited.
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E. LICENSING
(1) LICENSE REQUIRED: Except as otherwise provided in
section D(4)(b), it shall be unlawful for any person to do electrical
work unless such person is a master electrician licensed under the
provisions of this code, or unless such person is a journeyman, or is
an apprentice electrician licensed under the provisions of this code
and does such electrical work under the supervision, direction and
control of a journeyman or master electrician. Any person holding a
valid master's license need not procure a lesser license, and any
person holding a valid journeyman's license need not procure a lesser
license. When two or more master electricians are working on the
same job, the supervision, direction and control of the electrical
work shall be the responsibility of the person to whom the permit was
issued.
(2) EXCEPTIONS: The following classes of electrical work may be
carried out by persons who are not licensed electricians.
(a) Electrical work on one's own homestead, as reflected by public
records, performed only by the person owning such homestead;
provided, that a permit as provided in D.(1) shall have first been
obtained by such a person, and he shall have complied with all other
requirements of this chapter except the licensing provisions.
(b) The replacement of lamps fuses and connection of portable
devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently
installed.
(c) The installation, alteration or repairing of any wiring,
devices, or equipment for the operation of a signal or the
transmission of messages where such wiring, devices, appliances or
equipment operates at a voltage not exceeding fifty volts between
conductors and does not include generating or transforming equipment.
(d) The installation, alteration or repair of electric wiring,
devices, appliances and equipment installed by or for an electric
public service corporation operating under a franchise from the City
when for the use of such electrical energy or for the use of such a
corporation in the operation for street railways, signals or the
transmission of messages.
(3) LICENSE NOT TO BE ISSUED TO CERTAIN PERSONS: The Electrical
Board shall not authorize the issuance of a license to any of the
following persons:
(a) Any person failing to properly apply for a license hereunder, or
a renewal thereof, and to pay the fees or post the bonds prescribed.
(b) Any person required by this chapter to take an examination
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unless such person shall have successfully passed such examination.
(c) Any person whose license hereunder has been suspended, during
such suspension.
(4) QUALIFICATIONS:
(a) Eligibility for Master Electrician. To be eligible to hold a
license as a Master Electrician within the City of Round Rock, each
applicant for such license shall be a high school graduate or the
equivalent thereof, and shall have had two years of Journeyman level
experience under the supervision of a licensed and bonded Master
Electrician and shall have passed an examination for Journeyman
Electrician, be the holder of a Journeyman Electrician's License, and
shall demonstrate his professional competency by passing an
examination for Master Electrician with a minimum grade of 70% on an
examination to be held and conducted by the Board.
(b) Eligibility for Journeyman Electrician. To be eligible to hold a
license as a Journeyman Electrician each applicant for such license
shall be a high school graduate, or the equivalent thereof, and shall
have had four years experience as an Apprentice in electrical
construction under the supervision of a licensed and bonded Master
Electrician and shall demonstrate his qualification by passing an
examination with a minimum grade of 70% to be held and conducted by
the Board.
(c) Eligibility for Apprentice Electrician. Persons applying for an
apprentice electrician's license shall be at least sixteen years of
age.
(5) APPLICATION
(a) Every application for an original or renewal of any character of
license shall be made upon a form furnished by the Chief Electrical
Inspector.
(b) Every application for any of such licenses shall state the full
name, date of birth, weight, height, color of eyes, color of hair,
sex, residence and business address of the applicant. Every original
application for a license shall specify the experience of the
applicant, and shall state whether the applicant has heretofore been
licensed as an apprentice, journeyman, master or other classification
of electrician, and if so, when and by what state, county or city,
and whether any such license has ever been suspended or revoked, or
whether an application has ever been refused, and if so, the date of
and the reason for such suspension, revocation or refusal.
(c) Every application shall be accompanied by the license and/or
examination fee prescribed in this code.
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(6) BOND REQUIRED FOR MASTER ELECTRICIANS -GENERALLY: No person shall
be issued a license as a master electrician until he has made,
executed and delivered to the Chief Electrical Inspector a good and
sufficient corporate surety bond, in the amount prescribed in this
section for such electrician, payable to the city for the use and
benefit of the city or any person injured or damaged by any act or
neglect of the principal or his agents or employees, or by reason of
failure to repair any defective work, device or installation, or for
failure to pay any fees or other charges due the city, or for failure
to remedy any defects or faulty workmanship or material without
additional cost to the person for whom the work was done within the
time prescribed by the city's inspector for the completion of such
remedial work, and guaranteeing compliance with the requirements of
the Code of all work installed by the principal, his agents or
employees. All bonds shall be for a period ending the next ensuing
December 31. Suit upon such bond may be maintained by any person
injured or damaged by reason of the principal's failure to perform
his obligations under the bond. Suspension of the license of the
principal shall not by itself affect the liability of either the
principal or the surety of such bond. The bond required for a Master
Electrician is $5,000.00
(7) SAME -REDUCTION OF COVERAGE: Should the coverage of the bond
required by (6) be reduced by recovery or for any other reason, the
surety on such bond shall immediately notify the City Manager, and
the principal shall be suspended from all rights and privileges under
this code until the full amount and coverage are restored.
(8) FEES: The fees required for the following licenses
under this Code:
Master Electrician $50.00
Journeyman Elect. $25.00
Apprentice $ 5.00
(9) ISSUANCE -GENERALLY; CONTENTS: Upon payment of the required fee
and the posting of required bond therefor, the Chief Electrical
Inspector shall issue to each person the class of license which such
person is qualified to receive under the provisions of this Code.
Each license shall bear a distinguishing number assigned to the
licensee, the full name, sex, date of birth, weight, height, color of
hair, color of eyes and the space upon which the licensee shall write
his usual signature with pen and ink immediately upon receipt of the
license. No license shall be valid until it is so signed by the
licensee.
(10) EXPIRATION; RENEWAL:
(a) All licenses issued under this chapter shall expire at
12:00 midnight of December 31 of the year of issue.
(b) Any licensee failing to renew his surety bond or make
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application for renewal of license before his current
license expires shall be considered as an applicant for an
original license; provided, that if within thirty days of
expiration the licensee tenders the required license fee
and/or surety bond and presents the electrical board with
satisfactory reasons for failure to timely renew such license,
the electrical board may authorize renewal of such license as
though timely performed.
(c) All expired licenses not renewed as provided by the
preceding subsection shall be deemed cancelled, and the
enforcement official shall make appropriate notations on
his records to reflect such cancellation.
(11) DUPLICATES: In the event that an apprentice, journeyman or
master electrician's license issued under the provisions of this code
is lost or destroyed, the person for whom the same was issued may
obtain a duplicate of substitute thereof upon furnishing proof
satisfactory to the Cheif Electrical Inspector that such permit or
license was lost or destroyed, and upon payment of a fee of 55.00.
(12) NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS, NAME, ETC., TO BE GIVEN: Whenever
any person after applying for or receiving an apprentice, journeyman
or master electrician's license shall move from the address named in
such application or in the license issued to him or when the name of
the licensee is changed or when the employment of such person is
changed, he shall immediately notify the Chief Electrical Inspector,
in writing, of his former address, name and employment his present
address, name and employment and shall give his license number.
(13) CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBITED:
(a) To display or cause or permit to be displayed or to have in
one's possession any instrument purporting to be any
license for the doing of any electrical work, knowing such
instrument to be ficticious or to have been cancelled, suspended
or altered.
(b) To lend or knowingly permit the use of any license for the
doing of any electrical work to any person not entitled
thereto under the provisions of this code.
(c) To display or to represent as one's own any license for the
doing of any electrical work when such license has not been
suspended or cancelled as provided by law.
(d) To fail or refuse to surrender to the Chief Electrical
Inspector on demand any license for the doing of any electrical
work which has been suspended or cancelled as provided by law.
(e) To apply for or have in one's possession more than one
current license of the same type provided for in this code.
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(f) To use a false a or fictitious name or give a false or
fictitious address in any application for any license provided
for in this code or any renewal or duplicate thereof, or
knowingly make a false statement or knowingly conceal a material
fact or otherwise commit fraud in making any such application.
(g) To employ as a master, journeyman or apprentice electrician
any person not then licensed as provided in this code.
(h) To perform any character of electrical work for which a
license required by this code or while such license is suspended
or cancelled.
(i) To perform electrical work in any manner in violation of
any restrictions imposed on a license issued on a licensed
issued to him.
(14) SUSPENSION—GENERALLY. The electrical board may suspend the
license of any apprentice, journeyman or master electrician for a
period of not more than one year, after determining at a proper
hearing as set out in this article that the licensee has done any of
the following:
(a) Committed an offense of which he has not been convicted,
but for which automatic suspension of license would follow
under the provisions of this Code upon conviction.
(b) Permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license.
(c) Committed an offense in another state, county or city,
which if committed in this city would be grounds for suspension
or revocation.
(d) Is an habitual violator of this code. (Habitual shall mean
three or more separate violations.)
(e) Performed any electrical work that is in violation of this
Code and then failed or refused to make corrections necessary
for the work to conform to this code.
(f) Performed any electrical work that is in violation of this
Code or the National Electrical Code, and such work is
found to be the cause or a contributing cause of a fire,
whether or not there is any actual damage or loss.
(g) Performed any electrical work in violation of any
restrictions imposed on a license issued to him.
(15) HEARING AND PROCEDURE: In determining any such charges the
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Electrical Examining and Advisory Board shall proceed upon sworn
information furnished it by an official of the city, or by any person
aggrieved by the action of an electrician in the performance of
electrical work for which an electrical permit is required by this
code. Such information shall be in writing and shall be verified by
the person familiar with the facts therein charged, and three copies
of the same shall be filed with the city clerk. Upon receipt of such
information, the city clerk shall retain one copy for the official
records of the city and shall convey two copies to the electrical
board. Thereupon the board, if it deems the information sufficient
to support further action on its part, shall make an order setting
the charges therein contained for hearing at a specified time and
place, and shall cause a copy of its order and of the information to
be served upon the accused by registered mail no less than ten days
before the date appointed in the order of the hearing. The accused
may appear in person or by counsel, or both, at the time and place
named in the order and make his defense to the same. All such
hearings shall be open to the public. The city attorney shall be
entitled to present evidence and argument at such hearing, and if the
accused fails or refuses to appear, the board may proceed to hear and
determine the charges in his absences. If the accused admits the
truth of the charges, and the board by vote of four or more of its
members shall find them to be true, it may enter an order suspending
the license of such electrician. The board shall have the power,
though its chairman or secretary, to administer oaths and to compel
the attendance of witnesses before it by subpoena issued over the
signature of the chairman. When the electrical board has completed
such hearing and made its decision it shall cause one copy of its
decision to be filed with the Chief Electrical Inspector, one copy
with the city clerk and cause a certified copy thereof to be
forwarded to the accused.
(16) AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION -GENERALLY:
(a) The license of any person shall be automatically suspended
upon final conviction of any of the following offenses:
(i) Taking out a permit in the name of a person
authorized to do the electrical work and thereafter
permitting a person not authorized by this code to do the
electrical work.
(ii) Tampering with, diverting from or in any way
interfering with the proper action or registration of any
electric meter.
(iii) Employing as a master, journeyman or apprentice
electrician any person not then licensed as provided in
this code.
(b) The suspension provided for in this code shall in the
first instance be or a period of six months. For subsequent
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offences the suspension shall be for a period of a year
(c) The suspension of any license shall be automatically
extended upon the licensee being convicted of performing
electrical work while the license is suspended for a like
period as the original suspension, and in addition to any other
penalty assessed, as provided in this code.
(17) SURRENDER AND RETURN OF LICENSE: Any license which has been
suspended under this code shall be surrendered to and be retained by
the Chief Electrical Inspector. At the end of the period of
suspension, in, the absence of further violations, the surrendered
license shall be returned to the licensee and shall be valid under
the provisions, in_the code; that if the period of suspension extends
beyond normal expiration date, the licensee must pay all license fees
and/or post all surety bonds in order to receive a valid license to
continue electrical work.
(18) RIGHT OF APPEAL: Any person denied a license or whose license
has been suspended by the Board, except where such cancellation or
suspension is automatic under the provision of this code, shall have
a right to file a petition within ten days thereafter for a hearing
before the City Council. The City Counchall set the matter for
hearing upon fourteen days written notice to the aggrieved person and
thereupon take testimony and examine into the facts of the case, and
determine whether the petitioner is entitled to a license or is
subject to suspension of this license under the provisions of this
code.
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F: INSPECTIONS
(1) INSPECTIONS REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm
or corporation to make connections from a source of electrical energy
to any electrical wiring, devices or equipment on an installation for
which a permit is required, as set forth in this code, until it has
been approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector authorizing such
connection and the use of such wiring devices or equipment.
(2) ROUGH INSPECTION: When the rough wiringor installation work is
completed on any premises, the person responsible therefore shall
notify the Chief Electrical Inspector that the job is ready for
inspection, giving proper identification of the work, address and
permit number. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall then make an
inspection of the electric installation. If said wiring or
installation work has been installed in accordance with the terms and
provisions of this Code the Chief Electrical Inspector shall sign the
inspection card, noting thereon the date of approval of the work.
More than one rough inspection may be made without charge when the
progress of construction required such inspection.
(a) FAULTY WORK: If the wiring or installation of fixtures or
equipment is found to be faulty or incorrectly or defectively
installed, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall notify the
responsible person who installed such work of the changes
necessary to be made in order that the work may conform to this
code.
(b) CORRECTION OF FAULTY WORK: The permittee shall within
forty eight (48) hours from the time of notification make or
start to make the changes ordered and shall proceed with the work
until the same is completed. Upon completion thereof and payment of
the Reinspection Fee, he shall notify the Chief Electrical Inspector
to the effect that faulty work has been corrected. The latter shall
then cause the reinspection to be made, and if said work is found to
comply with this code, he shall sign the inspection card noting
thereon the date of approval of the work. If the Chief Electrical
Inspector shall again find the work incorrectly installed, he shall
notify the permittee of the necessary changes, and the permittee
shall pay an additional Reinspection Fee. If the permittee fails to
correct the faulty work within 72 hours, the Chief Electrical
Inspector shall refuse to issue to such person any further permits
until said work in question is corrected and approved.
(3) FINAL INSPECTION: Upon the completion of all electrical wiring
and installation of fixtures or equipment in any building, or any
premises, the permittee shall notify the Chief Electrical Inspector
that the work is ready for final inspection, giving the electrical
permit number and the street address; and the Chief Electrical
Inspector shall then make the inspection, and if any faulty or
defective wiring or equipment is found, the permittee shall be
21
notified of the changes to be made in order that such work shall
conform to this Code. If such work is found to be correctly
installed, replaced or repaired, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall
endorse his approval upon the inspection certificate stating that the
wiring or installation work has been installed in accordance with the
provisions of this Code.
(4) INSPECTION AFTER FIRE: An inspection shall be conducted by the
Chief Electrical Inspector on any building or structure that has been
damaged by fire, if requested by the Fire Marshall.
(5) WORK LEFT OPEN: It shall be unlawful for any person to cover or
cause to be covered any part of a wiring installation with flooring,
lath, wall board or other material until the Chief Electrical
Inspector shall have approved the wiring installation in part or as a
whole except as herein set forth.
(6) INSPECTOR'S REMOVAL REQUEST: It shall be the duty of the Chief
Electrical Inspector to cause all abandoned dead wire, unused poles
or electrical apparatus on the outside or inside of the buildings or
in the street or alleys to be removed at the expense of the owners
thereof, by giving the said owners written notice.
(7) INTERFERENCE: It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person
to in any manner change or alter electrical conductors or equipment
in or on any building. If in the course of erection of a building or
structure, electrical conductors or equipment have previously been
installed in such position as to interfere with the erection or
completion of the structure, notice shall be immediately given to the
authorized person or firm using the electrical conductors or
equipment, and he shall be required to accomplish this needed change
in accordance to this Code.
(8) PERIODIC GENERAL INSPECTION: The Chief Electrical Inspector
shall inaugurate through periodic reinspections of installations of
all electrical wiring, electric devices, and electric equipment now
installed, or that thereafter be installed within, and within the
scope of the Code, and when the installation of any such wiring,
devices or equipment is found to be defective, dangerous or in an
unsafe condition, the person, firm or corporation owning using or
operating the same shall be notified in writing and shall make the
necessary repairs or changes required to place such wiring, devices
or equipment in a safe condition within five days, or any longer
period specified by the Chief Inspector in said notice. The Chief
Electrical Inspector shall immediately order the disconnection or
discontinuance of electrical services to such wiring devices, or
equipment until the same has been made safe as directed.
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(9) ELECTRICAL SERVICE CONNECTION: It shall be unlawful
for any person, firm or corporation to make connections from a source
of electrical energy to any electrical wiring device or equipment
which has been disconnected by order of the Chief Electrical
Inspector or the use of which has been disconnected by order of the
Chief Electrical Inspector or the use of which has been prohibited
for reasons herein set forth until a certificate of approval has been
issued by him authorizing the reconnection and use of such wiring
devices or equipment. The Chief Electrical Inspector or his
authorized agent shall then notify Texas Power & Light Company and
authorize the permanent service to be connected.
(10) SERVICE OF NOTICE: If the person to whom any order or notice
issued pursuant to the provisions of this Code cannot be found after
reasonable search has been made for him, then such order or notice as
may be served by posting same in a conspicuous place upon the
premises occupied by him or the premises where the defects recited in
the order or notice are alleged to exist or on the premises which may
be deemed unsafe or dangerous. Such service shall be equivalent to
personal service of such order or notice. An order to comply with
the term of such order or notice shall be sent by amil in a sealed
envelope with postage prepaid and directed to the address of the
owner, lessee or occupant of the premises where the defects recited
in the order are alleged to exist and shall be equivalent to the
personal service of such order.
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G: STANDARDS & SPECIFICATIONS
(1) MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, ETC., GENERALLY: SAFETY STANDARDS GENERALLY:
Conformity of electrical equipment with the applicable standards of
the Underwriters' Laboratories Inc., shall be prima facie evidence
that such equipment is reasonably safe to persons and properties.
Only standard parts and materials approved by the Underwriters'
Laboratories Inc., National Electrical Safety Code or electrical
provisions of other safety codes which have been approved by the
American National Standards Institute shall be prima facie evidence
that such installations are reasonably safe to persons and property.
(2) METER AND METER LOOPS: Service Entrance Conductors, meters, and
service disconnects shall be installed in accordance with NEC Article
230, with the following exceptions.
(a) Service entrance conductors must be in either Rigid Metal
Conduit, Intermediate Metal Conduit, Electrical Metallic Tubing,
or Schedule 80 Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit. Service Entrance (SE)
Cable or Open Wiring on Insulators will not be authorized.
(b) If the Service entrance conduit is a service mast (one
having service drop attached directly to mast, vice structure)
then only 2 inch or larger Rigid Metal Conduit or Intermediate
Metal Conduit shall be used.
(c) The service disconnecting means shall be outside the
building in all occupancies. Exceptions will be for services
over 1000 amps, or occupancies which would normally be operating
24 hours a day. The service disconnecting means for these
exceptions shall be located no farther than 24 inches from the
point of entrance of the Service Entrance Conductors. All
panelboards used for service equipment shall be equipped with a
main circuit breaker disconnect.
Note: Texas Power & Light Company publication
Specifications for Electrical Service and Meter
Installations" may be used for reference; however, service
installations involving more than 6 meters shall be
approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector.
(3) IDENTIFICATION MARKS REQUIRED ON MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, ETC.:
The maker's name, trade mark and other identification symbols shall
be placed on all electrical materials, devices, equipment and
appliances used or installed under this chapter.
(4) INSTALLATIONS CREATING HAZARDS TO FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION:
No wires shall be installed, operated or maintained over any street,
alley, sidewalk or building which may be reasonably calculated to
interfere seriously with the work of the fire department in the use
of ladders or other apparatus, or which shall obstruct or render
24
hazardous the use of fire escapes. On complaint of the city fire
marshall, the interfering obstruction or hazardous wires shall be
removed or properly rearranged.
(5) SPECIAL ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT RULES: The following additional
requirements shall be met for all new construction:
(a) All circuits shall have conductors sized in accordance with
Article 310 of the National Electrical Code. No conductor
smaller than No. 12 Copper American Wire Gauge size, or
equivalent, shall be used in any electrical work as covered by
this chapter, except the following as approved by the National
Electrical Code:
(1) Pendant and portable cords.
(2) Fixture wire.
(3) No. 14 for individual fixture leads at the outlet box.
(4) No. 14 for control circuits operating contactors,
relays and the like.
(5) Wiring within display cases.
(6) Wiring for system covered by Chapter 7 of the National
Electrical Code.
(7) As specified under electrical signs.
(8) No. 14 for switch loops, controlling light only in
residence occupancies.
(b) All panels must be large enough to accommodate the present
load requirements and have at least two (2) spare circuits for
future use.
(c) The requirements of the NEC shall be followed pertaining to
receptacles needing Ground -Fault Circuit -Interrupters (GFCI)
protection with the following exceptions:
(1) In dwelling units only the 120 volts, single phase, 15
and 20 ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms need have
GFCI protection for personnel.
(2) Temporary service for construction sites are not
required to have GFCI protection.
25
(d) The following listed buildings shall have a minimum of
one (1) receptacle installed for every twenty lineal feet measured
horizontally around the interior wall at the floor level of
each room, excluding storage rooms:
Office Buildings
Store Buildings
Restaurants/Taverns
Bank Buildings
Mechanical Garages
Studios
(6) CONSTRUCTION, RODENT PROOF: All exterior wall openings around
electrical cables and conduits shall be protected against the passage
of rodents by closing such openings with cement mortar, concrete
masonry, or other approved material.
(7) COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS:
(a) All commercial buildings, and apartment complexes with
more than eight (8) units, shall be wired in raceways, except
as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The requirements of subsection (a) shall not be
applicable with regard to pre-existing wiring in buildings
which were originally constructed and used as single-family,
single -story, residential -use buildings, and which are
thereafter converted to commercial usage if at the time such
building was constructed, the pre-existing electrical wiring,
fixtures and apparatus in such building conformed to all other
applicable provisions of this Code. Including the requirements
that the electrical wiring system shall be effectively grounded
by including or providing a grounding conductor in such wiring
system to which the receptacles, cord connectors, lighting
fixtures, wall switches and other electrical apparatus shall be
securely connected. To obtain the benefit of the exemption
granted by this subdivision, the owner or occupant of such
building must obtain an inspection and certificate as required
by subsection (d).
(c) Any installation of new electrical wiring, fixtures or
apparatus installed in any building which is the subject of the
exception stated in subsection (b) of this section, or any
rewiring of such building, shall be wired in raceways (including
flexible metal conduit which may be used in otherwise
inaccessible area) as required by subsection (a) of this
section.
26
(d) In order to obtain the benefits stated in Subsection (b)
thereof, and prior to the time that any building is converted
to commercial use as specified in Subsection (b), an
electrical inspection of the electrical wiring, fixtures and
apparatus shall be made by the Chief Electrical Inspector for
the purpose of determining whether such building conforms to
all other applicable provisions of this Code at the time such
building is converted to commercial use. If the Chief
Electrical Inspector determines that such building does not
conform to all other applicable provisions of this Code, then
the provisions of subsection (b) shall not be applicable.
(e) For each panel in commercial construction a minimum of
one (1) spare one -inch raceway shall be installed from the
panel to an accessible location in the attic or crawlspace.
(8) DWELLING CIRCUITS:
(a) The kitchen for each dwelling shall have no less than
two (2) twenty amperes circuits which shall comply with NEC
Article 210, except that there shall be a maximum of three (3)
outlets per circuit. Dedicated circuits such as refrigerator
and dishwasher shall be on separate circuits and not be counted
as any of the required minimum circuits or outlets. These
circuits shall be required for every new or remodeled kitchen.
(b) In areas other than kitchens in dwelling units no more
than nine (9) outlets shall be connected to any circuit,
whether the outlets be ceiling or wall outlets (receptacle
outlet or lighting fixture outlets), and no single circuits
shall supply an area of 300 sq. ft. or more.
(9)
SPECIAL SAFETY MEASURES:
(a) All lighting outlets required by NEC Article 210-70 shall
be controlled by a wall switch. Pull chain light fixtures will
not be authorized.
(b) Aluminum Conductors will only be authorized from the
service drop, or lateral, to the service disconnect; provided
however that Aluminum Service Entrance Cable, Type SE Style
R (SER), AWG 4 or larger, may be used as feeder conductors to
branch circuit panel boards in residential occupancies.
(c) Color Coding of Conductors:
1. 480-277 volt system BROWN -YELLOW -PURPLE for phase
conductors and NATURAL GRAY for neutral.
27
(d) Except upon written permission of the Chief Electrical
Inspector, no electrical conductor of any nature shall be
installed nearer than three inches to any metal pipe or duct
which could operate in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
(10) USE OF UNAPPROVED APPLIANCE PROHIBITED: It shall be unlawful
for any person, firm, association, or corporation within the City to
use any appliance which has not been endorsed by the Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc., or other nationally recognized standards
association; or without first obtaining approval from the Chief
Electrical Inspector in absence of such evidence of safety approval.
(11) APPROVAL GIVEN: The Chief Electrical Inspector shall approve
for such use electrical equipment, material, conductors, apparatus,
or appliances as are reasonably safe to persons and property.
Conformity of such equipment and material with the standards of the
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., shall be prima facie evidence that
such equipment is reasonably safe to persons and property.
(12) SPECIAL APPROVAL: Should any material or equipment be
submitted for approval which is not listed as approved by the
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., the Chief Electrical Inspector
shall, within ten days of the receipt of written request for special
approval, approve, provisionally approve, or disapprove such
electrical material or equipment.
(a) Approval shall be based on reasonable safety to persons or
property, and material and equipment shall be considered as
adequate for approval if the standards of the Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc., and/or provisions of this code are met. When
material or equipment is approved by the Chief Electrical
Inspector such approval shall continue until the material or
workmanship on the article approved is changed. When the
material or workmanship is changed, the article shall be re-
examined and approval prior to use.
(b) When no applicable standard can be used to determine
whether an article is reasonably safe, the Chief Electrical
Inspector may grant provisional approval and allow its use until
such time as it can be tested or determined whether the article
is safe to person and property.
(c) Approval by the Chief Electrical Inspector shall not
become final until concurred by the Board. Denial by the Chief
Electrical Inspector may be appealed to the Board.
(d) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall keep in his office a
complete list of electrical equipment, material appliances and
devices approved, provisionally approved, or disapproved for use
within the City. This list shall be available to the public
during regular working hours.
28
H: PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF ELECTRICAL CODE: Any person, firm,
corporation or association who violates any of the provisions of this
Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred
($200.00) dollars, and each and every day of continuance thereof
shall constitute a distinct and separate offense.
(2) VIOLATION: Violation of any of the terms or provisions of this
Code by any corporation or association shall subject the officers and
agents actively in charge of the business of such corporation or
association to the penalty herein provided.
(3) CONVICTION: Conviction under the provisions of this Code shall
be deemed just cause for the revocation of any license which said
person, firm, corporation or association may have and/or hold under
the provisions of this Code.
(4) INJUNCTION: In addition to the penal remedy herein, the City
Attorney shall, upon the direction of the City Council, institute any
appropriate proceeding to correct or abate any act, conduct, work
business, practice or use which is 'violation and illegal under this
code.
II.
A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in conflict
herewith are expressly repealed.
B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this ordinance
shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof.
READ AND APPROVED on first reading this 4*day of
1985.
RE D, APPROVED AND ADOPTED 1985. ,� on second reading this Y day of
ATTEST:
Arm t) a.444
NE LAND, City Secretary
29
MIKE ROBINSON, Mayor
City of Round Rock, Texas
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBSECTION A GENERAL Page 2
SUBSECTION B DEFINITIONS Page 4
SUBSECTION C ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT Page 6
SUBSECTION D PERMITS AND FEES Page 12
SUBSECTION E LICENSING Page 14
SUBSECTION F INSPECTIONS Page 21
SUBSECTION G STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS Page 24
SUBSECTION H PENALTIES Page 29
1