3. Residential Electrical Permitting and Inspection ProgramPlanning Department
201 1" Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7940
Fax: (406) 758-7739
www.kalispell.com/planning
REPORT TO: Kalispell Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jeff Clawson Building Official
Jane Howington, City Manager
SUBJECT: Residential Electrical Permitting and Inspection
Program.
MEETING DATE: August 10, 2009 Work Session
BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Building Department would like to implement a
residential electrical permitting and inspection program for the city. The
program would apply only to single family, duplex and townhouse
configurations of 4 units or less. If this program proves to be successful, the
Building Department would eventually like to expand to address commercial
construction however, this is several years away. The Building Department
staff presently has one certified electrical inspector (the Building Official) on
staff. Additional staff members will be trained and certified. Original program
start up costs is estimated at less than $300.00 for code books, some testing
equipment and printing. Annual revenue to the city, based on 2008-2009
construction year would be about $10,000.
Currently, all electrical permits and inspections are conducted by state
inspectors in the Kalispell area. The Kalispell Building Department, however,
already has its inspectors on -site. On average they perform 10 inspections per
single family dwelling. The electrical program will add a minimum of 2 more
inspections per single family residence however these will coincide with existing
rough and final inspections and will not create additional inspection trips.
Adding a residential electrical program to the city's existing inspection program
will provide a higher level of service than the current system. The city will
become a true one stop permitting office for residential projects. Our
inspectors will be responsible for all aspects of construction, inspections will be
completed by the next working day, corrections will be verified quickly, and
homeowners doing their own electrical work will have better access to code
personnel when questions arise. Finally, city staff will be able to coordinate the
impacts of the adopted energy code as they relate to electrical installations in
residential dwellings.
The proposed fee schedule to be adopted by the City of Kalispell is the same
uniform schedule used by the state and the cities of Whitefish and Columbia
Falls so there will be no increase in permit fees for electricians or homeowners
of Kalispell.
Electricians can apply for permits by mail, fax or in person. One concern that
has been voiced was the electrician would not know if the job was in the city
limits, requiring a permit issued by the Building Department or if the project
was out in the county and consequently issued by the state. In response, if it
is new construction, a Kalispell building permit will have already been issued
from the city, if not or if the contractor was unsure, a simple phone call to the
city with the address will verify if the job site is within the city limits. Maps
depicting the city's boundaries will also be available upon request. Note as a
matter of consistency, the cities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls have
conducted their own electrical inspections for a dozen years without issues.
Recommendation: Approve an ordinance adopting the 2005 National
Electrical Code and the Residential Electrical Permit Fee Schedule and direct
the staff to make application to the State of Montana Building Codes Division
for certification of the Kalispell Electrical Permittin-a and Inspection Proearam.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas R. Jentz
Director
'Jane Howington
City Manager
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT, BY REFERENCE, THE "NATIONAL FIRE
PROTECTION ASSOCIATION STANDARD 70 NFPA 70, NATIONAL ELECTRIC
CODE", (NEC) 2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
OF MONTANA [ARM'S] 24.301.401, 24.301.402, 24.301.411, 24.301.472 ADOPTED AND
APPROVED BY THE BUILDING CODES BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
INDUSTRY, STATE OF MONTANA AS THE ELECTRICAL CODES OF THE CITY
OF KALISPELL, AND APPLICABLE TO THE JURISDICTIONAL AREA THEREOF;
TO ESTABLISH THE RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE; TO
PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION OF ANY LAWFUL ORDER ISSUED
PURSUANT THERETO; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the State of Montana has historically administered the residential electrical code
compliance program within the City of Kalispell and other cities in the state; and
WHEREAS, the State of Montana and the cities have determined that it may be in the best
interests of the cities and their residents that the cities administer the residential
electrical code compliance program within their jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell currently employs a building inspector staff that is trained
and certified in residential electrical code administration;
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council hereby finds that it is in the best interests of the City
and its residents that it adopt certain portions of the National Fire Protection
Association Standard 70 NFPA 70, National Electric Code", (NEC) 2005 edition,
as amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana [ARM's] 24.301.401,
24.301.402, 24.301.411, 24.301.472 and adopted and approved by the Building
Codes Bureau, Department of Labor and Industry, State of Montana as the
electrical codes of the City of Kalispell and to administer such residential
electrical code compliance program for all property within the jurisdictional limits
of the city.
NOW THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 7-5-108, M.C.A., AND 7-5-4202, M.C.A., BE IT
ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL, MONTANA, AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. There is hereby adopted by reference the "National Fire Protection
Association Standard 70 NFPA 70, National Electric Code", (NEC) 2005
edition, as amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana, set forth
specifically in Section 2, below. At least one copy of said document shall be
kept on file in the office of the City Clerk for inspection by the public.
SECTION 2. There is hereby adopted by reference, Administrative Rules of the State of
Montana; ARM's 24.301.401, 24.301.402, 24.301.411, 24.301.472.
SECTION 3. These codes are applicable to all one and two family dwelling units and
townhouses as defined in the International Residential Code within the
boundaries of the City of Kalispell, including but not limited to, dwelling
units, townhouses, electrical service for manufactured homes, and
accessory buildings and/or structures.
SECTION 4. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly, purposely, willfully, or
negligently violate any lawful order issued pursuant to said codes; such a
violation is an offense against the City punishable as provided in Section
1-9 or Sections 1-I I through 1-17 of the Kalispell City Code.
SECTION 5. The Fee Schedule for the residential electrical code compliance program
shall be as follows:
Single Family Dwelling (includes garage if wired at
same time
100-300 amp
service $150.00
301 amp service or more
$300.00
Fee includes maximum of three inspections
Interior re -wire or new addition to
SFR $ 80.00
Residential change of
service $ 25.00
Private property accessory buildings (garages, sheds,
etc)
Up to 200 amp service $ 60.00
201-300 amp
service $120.00
301amp service or more
$150.00
Fee includes new service or upgrade to existing service
Modular home, mobile home or RV
with basement and garage (wired at same time) $100.00
located on privately owned property (no basement or
garage) $ 60.00
Located on rental space in licensed court (no basement or
garage) $ 25.00
SECTION 6. This Ordinance is effective thirty days following approval by the Council
of second reading and the filing with the City Clerk of the prescribed
copies of the Codes hereby adopted by reference.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KALISPELL, MONTANA THIS DAY OF AUGUST, 2009.
Pamela B. Kennedy
Mayor
Theresa White
City Clerk