Posted on 05/16/2005 8:04:36 PM PDT by Brian Mosely
At least when it comes to electrical things, do-it-your-selfers may find their craft considerably more expensive.
Starting Aug. 1, when the 2004 California Electrical Codes automatically take effect, residents will have to apply for a city building permits to replace or add wall, porch and ceiling lamps, light switches, electric receptacles, and other common do-it-yourself chores.
So changing that noisy electrical switch with a quieter mercury switch will cost a lot more. Besides the costs of the new switch, there’ll be the $81 basic permit fee plus an additional surcharge of $2.15 for each receptacle, outlet or switch and—if you want to add more—$21.50 for altering or changing wiring.
Under the current city code, such small changes can be made without permits and inspections; starting Aug. 1, not so.
The exemptions are currently allowed under Chapter 19.30.080 of the city electrical code. City Building Officer Joan McQuarrie said there’s a question about whether or not the exemptions could be incorporated into the new code.
“We’re looking into that,” said Deputy City Attorney Zach Cowan. “Generally cities are allowed to adopt more restrictive findings based on local conditions, but not less restrictive. But it never hurts to ask.”
McQuarrie said that from her perspective, she wasn’t aware of any problems from the previously exempted home repairs, “but that doesn’t mean there couldn’t be in the future. I think it’s reasonable to exclude them, but we are bound by state law.”
Activities which will no longer be permitted without a permit after Aug. 1 include:
• Installing hard-wired sound, intercom and communication systems.
• Connecting portable motors and appliances to permanent suitable receptacles that were previously installed.
• Installing wiring for temporary theater, television and film sets.
• Repair or replacement of fixed motors, transformers and appliances of the same type and in the same location.
The Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) considered the revisions during their meeting May 5 and recommended that the city adopt the new code while retaining the current exemptions.
Should it turn out that the exemptions can’t be retained, HAC recommended that the city inform residents of the new requirements. The final decision is up to the Berkeley City Council, which is slated to vote on the new code during their June 24 meeting.
On the surface this appears to be simple pandering to the interests of licensed electricians, however I can see both sides here. Some home electrical tasks can be simple, if you know what you are doing, but there are many who think they do but they don't. The difference between #12 and #14 wire can mean the difference between nothing exciting and coming home to a smoldering ruin. Self professed "home fixeruppers" are the worst, while the best are those with extensive practical experience like on farms where electricity is treated with respect. I object to draconian laws that hamper otherwise technically adept people from performing routine home electrical maintenance and repair, but I also object to paying a homeowner's insurance premium that went up because some jerk thought he knew more about installing a load center and jacuzzi than a licensed electrician. An equitable situation for all parties involved lies somewhere in the middle.
ping 4 latter.
Guess the Californians will have to purchase switches, receptacles, and outlets from ebay to circumvent the power nazis.
I built a garage apartment at my country place in Louisiana, did everything except pour the slab and put on the roof shingles. Had expert advice on the wiring from a salesman at Yardbirds, plus a couple of good well illustrated books. I applied for insurance from State Farm. The first question was "who did your wiring"? They wouldn't consider coverage, but sent me to what I call the "Last Chance Insurance Agency". Nice lady came out to look the place over, took Polaroid shots, and found me coverage from an independent company at a reasonable rate. Of course this was new construction. I imagine State Farm or any other company wouldn't be likely to find out about minor work on an existing structure, but of course I couldn't furnish a statement from a licensed electrician. Probably could have found one to do an inspection and sign it off had I known before the sheetrock went up.
Who do you call in California when your time machine needs a tune up?
The will track any electrical purchases made at local area stores.
Will it be illegal to show certain episodes of "This Old House" in California?
Sheesh! Power to the Socialists. Convert Home Depots to gulags! /sarcasm
Umm, this is not clear. is this just for Berkeley or all of California? This is the first I heard of it.
Is this for real?
According to 2004 California Electrical Code
"The 2004 California Electrical Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 3) applies to all occupancies that applied for a building permit on or after August 1, 2005, and remains in effect until the effective date of the next edition."
So, it seems that the 2004 code doesn't apply to an existing home that doesn't apply for a new building permit (most homes that aren't being remodeled).
Just do it and don't tell anyone, remember SSS, Shoot, Shovel, Shut-up. Well, maybe not exactly, we need to come up with the electronic equivalent here but you'll get the idea. B-)
Of course you are right on the money. The typical homeowner will go apply for the permit, then will be asked for a load map of everything else on that circuit (breaker) ((and lots of Berkeley homes still have fuses)). When it is clear that no overloaded circuits will result the homeowner should be told to go take care of it, and the expensive permit fee waived. (This is what SHOULD happen. But it won't.)
But it the homeowner discloses a home that is dangerously overloaded the city should require a licensed electrician move in and fix what is found. Sadly the city is in it for the permit money, electricians are not cheap, and many older homes don't meet code where years of add ons have been made.
I can get away with recommending that my fellow homeowner pay a lot of money, because I used to do all my own electrical work, and being lazy did not always check loads and balances (after all, the breaker will blow if I put in too much. -- I was careful to keep the breaker rated for the wiring. ) But when I sold my home, I had an electrician come in and had to spend $700 to upgrade and fix several "mistakes" that I had mand. I am glad that I did that, as I sleep better knowing I was not responsible for someone else's house burning down.
If I wanted to [try to] enforce it, I'd require the paperwork to buy the parts.
Will smoking pot still be legal there?
People will keep on moving out and with fewer congress people to get money for the socialists left behind, they are going to have to go to work. But they can't repair their own house because that would be against the law. Who will know? They don't check on who is having sex, but they will check on a new outlet? Not!
Only if you're an electrician.
LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.