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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