HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Changes in City Electrical Code ORDINANCE NO. 3960
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTION 5.301 AND REPEALING
SECTIONS 5.302 AND 5.303 AND AMENDING SECTIONS 7.301 AND 7.303
THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING LICENSING INTO
CONFORMANCE WITH STATE CODE CHANGES; REPEALING ANY
AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;PROVIDING A PENALTY;AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
amending Section 5.301 and repealing Sections 5.302 and 5.303 and amending Section 7.301 through 7.303 as follows:
"Sec. 5.301 ELECTRICAL LICENSING AND REGISTRATION
The provisions regulating the licensing and registration of electricians shall be set forth in Chapter 7 ofthe Ames
Municipal Code.
Sec.7.301. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions of terms shall be used in the interpretation of this chapter:
(1) Apprentice Electrician. An apprentice electrician is a natural person, employed by a registered
electrical contractor,who while learning the electrical trade is assisting in the installation,alteration or repair of electrical
systems at an address where a journeyman electrician or a master electrician is present and providing direct supervision
of the work being done by the apprentice, and who is the holder of a valid license as an apprentice issued by the Iowa
Electrical Examining Board.
(Ord. No. 3514, Sec. 1, 1-26-99)
(2) Journeyman Electrician. A journeyman electrician is a natural person who through training and
experience has acquired the requisite skill and knowledge necessary for the proper installation,alteration and repair of
electrical systems and who holds a valid license as a journeyman electrician from the city and who is the holder of a valid
license as a journeyman electrician issued by the City of Ames prior to July 1, 2008, or as a Class A journeyman
electrician issued by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board.
(3) Master Electrician. A master electrician is a natural person engaged in the business of electrical
work,other than a journeyman electrician engaged in the actual installation,alteration and repair of electrical work,and
who is skilled in the planning,superintending and practical installation of electrical systems and familiar with the laws,
rules and regulations of the city and the State of Iowa governing the same and who holds a valid license as a master
electrician issued by the city and who is the holder of a valid license as a master electrician issued by the City of Ames
prior to July 1,2008,or as a Class A master electrician issued by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board.
(4) Electrical Contractor. An individual firm or corporation which performs services doing electrical
installations.
(Ord. No. 993, Sec. 23, 4-18-61; Ord.No. 3195, Sec. 1, 9-24-92; Ord.No. 3376, 3-5-96)
Sec.7.303. ELECTRICIANS' LICENSES
(1) Expiration/Renewal of Licenses;Transferability. Licenses are not transferable.All licenses issued
prior to January 1,1997,shall expire the 3 V day of December, 1996. Beginning January 1, 1997,licenses issued shall
be valid for no more than 3 years with a single common expiration date,such that licenses issued on or after January 1,
1997,shall all expire on the 31 st day of December, 1999,with similar 3 year licensing intervals thereafter.
(2) Application for License.
(a) Examination Required. Each applicant for a license either as a journeyman or master
electrician shall provide a completed application for such license and shall pay an administration fee to the City Clerk.
Each applicant shall take a standardized test approved by the Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals to test their
qualifications and competence for the license applied for.
The Board may furnish information to the applicant of the dates and locations at which the approved
standardized tests will be offered,but it is the responsibility of the applicant to register properly for and take the test.
The Board may require the applicant to furnish documentation of the score achieved on the
standardized test. A score of 75 percent or above on the standardized test shall be required to pass.
(b) Prerequisites for Licenses. Prior to testing,applicant for a journeyman's license shall furnish
proof of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship to a licensed journeyman electrician and an applicant for a master electrician's
license shall furnish proof of two years experience as a j ourneyman electrician with a minimum of one year's experience
of the two in a supervisory capacity,or equal,as determined by the Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals.
(c) Board Action. Should the accuracy of the application or qualifications of the applicant be
questioned,the Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals shall render its judgment in the matter. Applications will
remain on file for six months. If the exam is not taken in six months, a new application will be needed. A fee will be
set for city administration costs. Test fee(charged by the testing agency)and license fee will be additional.
(Ord. No. 3220, Sec. 4, 3-23-93)
(3) Expediting Fee. A expediting fee shall be assessed to any applicant seeking approval of an application
except at a regularly scheduled Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals meeting.
(4) Authorization of Issuance of License. When the Board is satisfied that the applicant meets all of the
licensing qualifications and has paid all fees,it shall authorize the inspector to notify the City Clerk of the name,address
and type of license to be issued to the applicant.
(5) Issuance of License. The City Clerk upon receipt ofwritten notice from the inspector ofthe applicants
to receive licenses shall issue such licenses and retain a record thereof in the City Clerk's office. The examination fee
shall not constitute payment of the license fee for the calendar year of issue. The License issued pursuant to this
procedure shall be a license valid only within the City of Ames.
(6) Renewal;Fees. Licenses may be renewed prior to their expiration by payment to the City Clerk of
a renewal fee set by the City Council to cover administrative costs,and by presentation of a certificate documenting the
Licensee's completion of an approved continuing education course.
(a) An approved continuing education course shall be an 8-hour course covering the most current
National Electrical Code. In lieu of that course, the Board may approve an alternative 8-hour course of continuing
education covering a different subject or subjects.
Prior to attending any continuing education course,the Licensee shall apply to the Board of Electrical
Examiners and Appeals for prior approval of the course to receive continuing education credit. The Licensee shall
submit a copy of the course outline or any other information requested by the Board to make its evaluation.
(b) Any license not renewed prior to December 31 of the expiring year shall not be renewed
without reapplication.
(7) Recognition of Licenses from Other Cities. The Board may without examination issue a license to
any electrician holding a license from another city recognized by the Board as having similar licensing standards. The
Board shall adopt written procedures for determining that the licensing standards are similar and shall maintain records
of those cities for which electrical licenses shall be recognized.
(8) Recognition of Licenses issued by the State. The City shall recognize as valid the Class A license
of any electrician holding that license pursuant to licensing standards established in the Code of Iowa and administered
by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board.
(9) Licenses to be shown. Licenses shall be carried at all times while engaged in electrical work in the
City of Ames. At the Inspector's request licenses must be shown.
(10) License Suspension. The Board shall have the authority to suspend the license of any electrician for
any of the following acts:
(a) Judgment entry of two(2)violations of any of the provisions of this chapter committed within
a period of twelve(12)consecutive months.
Such suspension of license shall be for a time not to exceed six(6)months. After expiration of such period of
time as the Board shall have designated, and after payment of any outstanding penalties, costs, fees and proof of
compliance and routine renewal fee,if it has become due in the interim,the suspended license shall again become valid
and effective.
(11) License Revocation. The Board shall have the authority to revoke the license of any electrician for
any of the following acts:
(a) Any fraud,deceit or misrepresentation in the application or examination for an electrician's
license.
(b) Judgment entry of three (3) violations of any of the provisions of this chapter committed
within a period of twelve(12)consecutive months. Such revocation of a license by the Board shall be full and final
cancellation of such license,made effective on the date of the Board's decision. Any licensee so judged by the Board
shall not,thereafter,be allowed to be licensed again in the City.
(12) Suspension or Revocation Hearing. In considering allegations under this section regarding
suspension or revocation of a license,the Board shall proceed upon sworn information furnished it by an official of the
City, or by any person. Such information shall be in writing and shall be duly verified by the person familiar with the
allegations made. The Board shall issue an order setting the matter for hearing at a specified time and place,and the
Secretary of the Board, with the advice of the City Attorney, shall cause a copy of the Board's order, and of the
allegations,to be served upon the licensee by registered mail at least fifteen(15)days before the date set for the hearing.
The licensee may appear in person or by counsel at the time and place named in the order and present his/her defense
to the Board. The City Attorney shall provide counsel for the Board. If the licensee fails or refuses to appear,the Board
may proceed to hear and determine the allegations in his/her absence. If he/she admits the allegations,or if,upon a hear-
ing,the Board finds any of the allegations to be true,it may enter an order suspending or revoking the license. Suspen-
sion or revocation resulting from a decision of the Board shall preclude the licensee from doing any electrical work in
the city as long as the suspension or revocation is in effect.
(Ord.No. 3220, Sec. S, 3-23-93)
(Ord.No. 993,Sec.20-28,4-18-61;Ord.No.2360,Sections 1, 1, 12-15-70;Ord.No. 3042,Sec. 1,3-28-89;Ord.No.
3138, Sec. 1, 7-23-91; Ord. No. 3203, Sec. 2, 12-8-92; Ord. No. 3195, Sec. 1, 9-24-92; Ord. No. 3376, 3-5-96)"
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable
by a penalty of$500.00 for a first violation and$750.00 for each repeat violation.
Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of
such conflict, if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 24' day of June ,2008.
Diane R.Voss,City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor