General Regulations

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County tit. 16, ch. 16.20, art. I

in effect

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.010 Purpose of provisions.

16.20.010 - Purpose of provisions. This chapter is declared to be remedial and shall be construed to secure the beneficial interest and purposes thereof, which are health, general public safety and welfare, by regulation of all electrical installations and electrical systems and all electrical system alterations, repairs, and maintenance. (Prior code § 14-1-1)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.020 Scope.

16.20.020 - Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to every electrical installation and electrical system, both new and existing, including, but not limited to, all alterations, repairs, replacement and maintenance, and to all electrical devices, equipment, appliances, fixtures and appurtenances within the metropolitan government area when such are installed, or connected to, or designed, or intended to be connected to any public or private electrical supply system; provided, that this chapter shall not be construed to apply to operations of the metropolitan government acting by and through the electric power board of the metropolitan government; provided further, that existing electrical installations which substantially comply with an electrical code in effect at the time those installations were installed and which are still in substantial compliance therewith shall not be required to be replaced by the enactment of this chapter, unless such electrical installations are hazardous to the surrounding properties or to the occupants of the building containing such electrical installations. (Prior code § 14-1-2)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.030 Proper maintenance required—Owner's responsibility.

16.20.030 - Proper maintenance required—Owner's responsibility. A. All electrical installations and electrical systems, both new and existing, and all parts thereof and appurtenances thereto, shall be installed and maintained as required by this chapter, in a safe and satisfactory condition. B. All devices, equipment and safeguards required by this chapter shall be installed and properly maintained in a safe and satisfactory manner and in good working order. The owner or his designated agent shall be held responsible for the proper maintenance of all electrical installations and electrical systems. (Prior code § 14-1-3)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.040 Installations—By homeowner.

16.20.040 - Installations—By homeowner. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent any resident homeowner from installing or maintaining an electrical system within his own property boundaries, provided such electrical work is done by himself. Such privilege does not convey the right to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, nor is it to be construed as exempting any such homeowner from obtaining a permit and paying the required fees therefor. The director of codes administration or his duly authorized representative shall be authorized to issue "homeowner permits" to property owners desiring to make electrical repairs and/or additions to their property or improvements thereto. Homeowner permits shall be issued only if the applicant meets the following conditions: 1. The electrical repairs and/or additions shall be made to the owner applicant's principle dwelling. 2. The homeowner may only obtain one electrical permit within a twelve-month period. 3. The repairs, additions and/or new dwelling shall be of such nature that a person of average intelligence could make the repairs and/or additions without the assistance of an electrical contractor. 4. The department of codes administration may void a homeowner's permit if it is determined that the installation is beyond the capabilities of the homeowner and the work being done does not comply with this chapter. 5. The homeowner must do the work himself without the help of an electrical contractor or certificate holder. 6. The homeowner may be required to provide proof of residency and ownership. 7. Homeowner electrical permits shall not be issued for commercial purposes. (Ord. BL2020-458 § 4, 2020; prior code § 14-1-4)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.050 Installations—Restrictions.

16.20.050 - Installations—Restrictions. Wires, other than wires incased in rigid iron conduit or steel tubing, shall not be installed in new buildings or structures until such buildings or structures are under roof and wires are not likely to suffer mechanical injury or to be exposed to the weather. (Prior code § 14-1-10)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.060 Rules and regulations—Enforcement authority.

16.20.060 - Rules and regulations—Enforcement authority. A. The director of codes administration shall have the power and his duty shall be to enforce, in the manner provided in this chapter, all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relating to electrical installations and electrical systems as set forth in this chapter and any amendments thereto, and to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary for the effective enforcement of this chapter. B. Such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the director of codes administration shall be approved by the metropolitan board of electrical examiners and appeals, shall be approved by the metropolitan department of law as to form and legality and shall become effective upon written approval of the mayor. (Prior code § 14-1-5)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.070 Additional requirements—Authority of director.

16.20.070 - Additional requirements—Authority of director. Any requirement deemed necessary for the safety, strength or stability of an existing or proposed electrical installation or electrical system or for the safety or welfare of the occupants of any building or structure, not specifically covered by the provisions of this chapter, shall be determined by the director of codes administration, subject to an appeal to the metropolitan board of electrical examiners and appeals. (Prior code § 14-1-11)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.080 Inspection records—Open to public.

16.20.080 - Inspection records—Open to public. The director of codes administration shall keep or cause to be kept a record of the business activities of the electrical inspection section. Such records shall be open for public inspection during the normal office hours of the department of codes administration. (Prior code § 14-1-6)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.090 Stop-work orders—Issuance—Exception.

16.20.090 - Stop-work orders—Issuance—Exception. A. When it is found by the director of codes administration or his duly authorized representative that any electrical installation is being made or that any electrical devices, equipment or fixtures required by this chapter are being installed without a duly issued permit, the director shall issue or cause to be issued a stop-work order. B. When the director finds that an emergency exists, a written stop-work order shall not be required; and in such instances, oral notice to the owner, his agent or the person in charge of the work, by the director or his duly authorized representative, shall have the same force and effect as a written order. The stop-work order shall remain in effect until a permit has been duly issued. (Prior code § 14-1-7)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.100 Revocation of permits or approval.

16.20.100 - Revocation of permits or approval. The director of codes administration may revoke an electrical permit or approval issued under the provisions of this chapter in the event there has been any false statement or wilful misrepresentations on which the permit or approval was based. In all such instances, where a permit has been revoked, the permit fee shall neither be refunded nor applied to any subsequent application for a permit. (Prior code § 14-1-8)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.110 Hazardous installations—Abatement—Condemnation—Discontinuance of service.

16.20.110 - Hazardous installations—Abatement—Condemnation—Discontinuance of service. A. Abatement. All electrical installations or electrical systems which are unsafe, which are dangerous to human life or which, in relation to existing or contemplated use, constitute a hazard to the safety or general welfare of the community, by reason of improper installation, inadequate maintenance, obsolescence or abandonment are declared to be illegal, and shall be abated by repair, replacement or removal. B. Condemnation. All electrical installations and electrical systems and all devices, equipment, appliances, fixtures and appurtenances used for electrical purposes, which at any time become defective so as to be likely to cause fires or accidents and endanger lives or property, shall be condemned. When the director of codes administration or his duly authorized representative finds that it is necessary to condemn any electrical installation or equipment, notice shall be given the owner or user of such to have the same repaired and put in safe condition or removed from the premises. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the electrical inspector is authorized and directed to disconnect such wiring or equipment from the source of electrical energy or cause the same to be done. C. Notice to Discontinue Service. Upon condemnation of any defective electrical installation or equipment, the director of codes administration or his duly authorized representative shall give notice to the public utility or person furnishing electric current to such defective installation or equipment to cease to supply current to the same until a written release is issued by the department of codes administration allowing current to be supplied or restored. D. Failure to Discontinue Service. It is unlawful for a public utility or any other person to furnish or connect electric current to any electrical installation or system or to any electrical device, equipment, appliance, fixture or appurtenance which has been condemned and disconnected or in any manner rendered inoperative by an electrical inspector, or to use such wiring or equipment as a part of any electrical system until the same has been repaired, inspected and released by the electrical inspector. (Prior code § 14-1-9)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.120 Interference with director prohibited.

16.20.120 - Interference with director prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with the director of codes administration or his authorized representative in the discharge of any of the duties imposed upon him, expressly or impliedly, by this chapter. (Prior code § 14-1-13)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.20.130 Failure to comply with chapter unlawful.

16.20.130 - Failure to comply with chapter unlawful. It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this chapter or fail to comply therewith or with any provisions thereof, or to violate a detailed statement or plans submitted and approved thereunder. (Prior code § 14-1-14)

Source: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT16BUCO_CH16.20ELCO_ARTIGEREFetched: 10/28/2026