ELECTRICAL WIRING

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland pt. THREE, pt. IIIE, tit. XIII, ch. 3137

in effect

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.01 Scope and Application

§ 3137.01 Scope and Application (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, the provisions of this chapter shall govern the installation, alteration, replacement, maintenance and repair of all electrical wiring and equipment and of all parts thereof; the sale or offering for sale of electrical materials, supplies, devices, appliances, and/or equipment; and the operation and use of electrical systems, devices, and equipment in the City. (b) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to: (1) Electric public service organizations, insofar as electrical wiring and equipment is utilized for the generation and transmission of electrical energy, and for the distribution of electrical energy up to the service equipment located near the point of entrance of the supply conductors for the building or other structure; provided, however, that where the public service organization installs transformers or converters within a building or other structure to convert the current in the distribution lines to current having characteristics suitable for use in the wiring system of the premises served, such transformers or converters, and the supply conductors to such transformers or converters and from the transformers or converters to the service equipment, or part thereof, when installed by the public service organization, shall be deemed to be part of the distribution system of the public service organization and not subject to the provisions of this chapter, except that all such electrical wiring and installations within buildings or structures shall be made in conformity with the applicable provisions of NFiPA 70 entitled “National Electrical Code,” as listed in OAC Chapter 4101:2-46. (2) Electric and steam railroads, insofar as electrical wiring and equipment is utilized for furnishing transportation. (3) Signal or intelligence transmission public service organizations, insofar as electrical wiring and equipment is utilized for signal and intelligence transmission.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.02 Alterations

§ 3137.02 Alterations (a) Whenever alterations, repairs, or additions are made to existing electrical installations the provisions of this chapter and the OBBC, where applicable, shall apply to all new work; provided, however, that where the provisions of OBBC and this chapter require the use of materials or methods of installation which differ from that in an existing building or other structure, and where the existing installation is in a safe condition, the Board of Building Standards and Building Appeals or the Ohio Board of Building Standards may approve the use of materials and installations corresponding to that existing within the building when it determines that the use of materials and methods of installation conforming to the provisions of OBBC or this chapter will not add materially to the safety of the installation, and that the installation as proposed will be adequately safe for the use and occupancy. (b) The provisions of OBBC or this chapter shall not be interpreted to require alterations, replacements, or additions to electrical work or equipment installed prior to July 1, 1979 except where inspection and investigation by the Commissioner reveal the presence of a definite and serious hazard. (c) The Commissioner shall determine that a definite and serious hazard exists only where the continued use of the electrical installation or equipment in question is, under customary or intended conditions of operation, demonstrably fire-hazardous, or demonstrably likely to cause injury or death from electrical shock.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.03 Hazardous Installations

§ 3137.03 Hazardous Installations (a) Whenever it is determined that an existing electrical installation or equipment is a definite and serious hazard, the Commissioner shall require the correction of conditions creating such hazard within a reasonable period of time, but not less than thirty (30) days, except when an immediate hazard exists. However, any alterations, replacements, or additions to existing wiring and equipment required for the correction of such serious hazard shall be limited to the minimum necessary for the reasonable reduction of the hazard. When an immediate hazard exists, the Commissioner shall require immediate action, or action within a lesser time period prescribed by him or her. Should conditions creating such serious hazard not be corrected within the prescribed time period, the Commissioner may disconnect, or order the disconnection, of electrical service to such electrical wiring and/or equipment. (b) Whenever it is established by inspection that a definite and serious hazard may exist, the Commissioner may order the removal, or may remove, lath and plaster, boarding, or other obstructions which prevent adequate inspection of the existing installation, but only to the extent necessary for such inspection. (c) Any person using, or causing another person to use electrical wiring or equipment which has been disconnected, or ordered disconnected, by the Commissioner, without the written authority to do so from the Commissioner, shall be deemed to be in violation of the provisions of OBBC or this Building Code and subject to the penalty provided therefor in Section 3103.99.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.04 Work Installed Not in Conformity with Code

§ 3137.04 Work Installed Not in Conformity with Code Whenever the Commissioner finds that electrical wiring or equipment does not conform to the provisions of this chapter he or she shall require the person, firm, or corporation that installed such electrical wiring or equipment, and the person, firm or corporation owing, using, or operating such electrical wiring or equipment to place same in conformity with the applicable provisions of this chapter defining approved materials, equipment, and approved methods of installation and construction, within a reasonable time. If such electrical wiring or equipment is not made to conform to the provisions of this chapter within the prescribed time, and whenever any electrical equipment is installed without a required permit or not in conformity with OBBC and this Building Code, the Commissioner may disconnect, or order the disconnection, of electrical service to such electrical wiring or equipment.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.05 Permit Required

§ 3137.05 Permit Required (a) Except as provided in Section 3137.01 (b) and subsection (b) hereof, and except for minor repairs and maintenance as herein defined, no electrical wiring or equipment shall be installed, altered, or repaired without a permit from the Commissioner. All work for which a permit is required shall be done by installers licensed or authorized to do such work under the applicable provisions of Chapter 3107. (b) No permit shall be required for the installation of temporary exposed electrical wiring for use in conducting experiments or tests in research or testing laboratories, but such temporary wiring shall be installed in a safe manner. (c) Whenever changes in electrical wiring are constantly being made the Commissioner may issue a “blanket permit” which shall apply only to the premises specified on the permit. (d) The holder of a “blanket permit” shall make a written record of all electrical work performed in and about the premises covered by such permit, and specific permits shall be obtained and fees paid for all extensions, alterations, and additions to electrical wiring and equipment when such work is inspected by the authorized inspector of the Commissioner. However, when electrical wiring is to be concealed, it shall be inspected and approved before being concealed, as hereinafter required. (e) Minor Repair. “Minor repair” means the installation or replacement of light bulbs or fuses, and repairs to portable utilization equipment such as lamps, irons, toasters, fans, sweepers, and the like; but does not include changes in or repairs to permanent electrical wiring. (f) Maintenance. “Maintenance” means the servicing of existing electrical equipment; the replacement of electrical equipment with equipment of like type and capacity, connected to existing electrical terminal connections; and similar work; for the purpose of maintenance of an existing electrical installation installed and maintained in conformity with OBBC and this Building Code; but it does not include the installation of any permanent wiring, or major changes to, or extensions of, electrical terminal connections.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.06 Drawings Required

§ 3137.06 Drawings Required Whenever necessary to adequately indicate or explain the scope or manner of a proposed installation, alteration, replacement, or repair of electrical wiring or equipment, the Commissioner of Building may require the submission of drawings and/or specifications with the application for a permit. Such drawings and/or specifications shall be in sufficient detail to enable the Commissioner to determine whether the proposed work will be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.07 Inspections, Tests and Approvals

§ 3137.07 Inspections, Tests and Approvals (a) Inspection Required. All electrical wiring and equipment for which a permit is required by OBBC and this Building Code shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Commissioner. (b) Inspection of Work to Be Concealed. (1) No electrical wiring or parts thereof shall be covered or concealed without authorization to do so from the Commissioner. It shall be the duty of the person doing such electrical wiring to give twenty-four (24) hours’ advance notice to the Commissioner when work which is to be concealed is ready for inspection. Work shall be inspected as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice, and when found to conform to the provisions of OBBC and this Building Code, an official notice of approval shall be affixed in a conspicuous place by the authorized inspector of the Commissioner. (2) If the authorized inspector of the Commissioner finds that the work which is to be concealed does not conform to the provisions of OBBC and this Building Code, the person or persons doing such work shall be required to make the necessary corrections, and the work shall then be resubmitted for inspection. (c) Inspection of Work Installed Under Blanket Permit. The premises where work is installed under a blanket permit shall be inspected at regular periodic intervals to verify that the work is in conformity with the provisions of OBBC and this Building Code. Premises where changes in the electrical wiring are constantly being made shall be inspected at least once every three (3) months, and other premises shall be inspected at longer periodic intervals as necessary to verify that work is being installed in conformity with the provisions of OBBC and this Building Code. However, all premises where work is installed under blanket permits shall be inspected at least once every six (6) months. (d) Roughing-In. Except where work is installed under blanket permits all roughing-in for electrical wiring shall be inspected and approved before devices, appliances, or equipment are installed or connected. (e) Final Inspection and Approval. (1) Except where work is done under blanket permits, all work shall be submitted for final inspection and approval by the Commissioner before being placed in service. If upon final inspection the electrical wiring and equipment is found to be complete and in conformity with the provisions of OBBC and this Building Code, a notice indicating approval shall be posted on the meter board or in other conspicuous place by the authorized inspector making the inspection. If the work is found to be incomplete or not in conformity with the provisions of this Building Code, the necessary corrections shall be made and the work then re-submitted for final inspection. (2) Upon satisfactory completion and after final inspection and approval of electrical wiring and equipment, a certificate of approval shall be issued to the person to whom the permit was issued, for delivery to the owner, by the Commissioner. (f) Material and Labor for Tests. Tests necessary to verify that the work has been installed in conformity with OBBC and this Building Code shall be made in the presence of the authorized inspector of the Commissioner. All equipment, material, power, and labor necessary for such tests shall be furnished by the person or persons who installed the work being tested, or, in the case of blanket permits, by the owner of the premises where such work is installed. (g) Inspection and Approval of Electrical Signs. (1) No outdoor electrical sign shall be erected unless the electrical wiring and equipment thereon is in conformity with the provisions of OBBC and this Building Code, and such wiring and equipment has been inspected and approved by the authorized inspector of the Commissioner. When deemed advisable by the Commissioner, an electrical sign may be inspected at the point of manufacture if such point of manufacture is within or immediately adjacent to the City limits, or the cost of such inspection is borne by the person or persons requesting the inspection. (2) The location, size, construction, erection, attachments, supports, anchors, and maintenance of every outdoor sign or display structure shall conform to the applicable provisions of Chapter 3113. (3) Portable electrical signs shall conform to the provisions of OBBC, Zoning Code and this Building Code. Where such signs have not been approved under the provisions of OBBC or this Building Code, they shall not be installed, connected, or used unless they have been inspected and approved by the Commissioner.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.08 Energizing the System

§ 3137.08 Energizing the System (a) Whenever a permit to install electrical wiring or equipment is required by OBBC and this Building Code, electric current shall not be supplied to such wiring to such equipment, except for testing, until authorization to do so has been given by the authorized inspector of the Commissioner. However, such authorization shall not be required for electrical wiring or equipment installed under a blanket permit. (b) When electrical current has not been previously supplied to premises where an installation of electrical wiring has been made, the service lines of the utility company supplying the electrical current, if connected prior to final inspection and approval, shall be connected through an opened switch which shall be so sealed that it shall be impossible to close the switch without breaking the seal. Such switch shall be closed only by a person authorized to do so by the Commissioner and it shall be a violation of OBBC and this Building Code for any other person to break such seal or close such switch. Each such switch shall have a tag attached thereto specifying the penalty for unauthorized operation. Whenever such switch is installed, a written notification thereof shall be sent to the Commissioner.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.09 Switching and Metering

§ 3137.09 Switching and Metering (a) Lighting Switching. Switching shall be provided for each lighting circuit, or for portions of each circuit, so that only those areas where lighting is necessary need be illuminated. (b) Three-Way Switches. Three (3) way switches shall be provided for all stairways to control lighting outlets illuminating such stairways. (1) Exception No. 1: Automatic control of lighting may be substituted in lieu of three (3) way switches. (2) Exception No. 2: Three (3) way switches are not required for stairways to unoccupied attics or basements which have only one (1) means of egress. (c) In all dwellings provisions shall be made to determine the electrical energy consumed by each tenant, excepting those dwellings where the owner pays for the energy consumed.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.10 Accident Notice

§ 3137.10 Accident Notice Whenever electrical shock or burns from electrical current result in serious injury or death of any person, the person, firm, or corporation owning or operating the electrical wiring or equipment involved in such accident shall file a report with the Commissioner describing the circumstances and conditions under which such accident occurred. Each certificate of approval of electrical installations shall bear a statement requiring such report.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.11 Conformity With National Electrical Code

§ 3137.11 Conformity With National Electrical Code Except as otherwise provided in this Building Code, or in statutes, or in rules or regulations promulgated by authority of statute, all electrical wiring and equipment shall be in accordance with the provisions of NFiPA 70 entitled “National Electrical Code,” as listed in OAC Chapter 4101:2-46.

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 3137.12 Residential Electrical Rehabilitation

§ 3137.12 Residential Electrical Rehabilitation (a) Scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to the rehabilitation of electrical systems in one (1), two (2) and three (3) family dwelling units when they have been determined to be inadequate as specified in subsection (b) hereof. (b) Evidence of Inadequate Wiring. Evidence of inadequate wiring shall include one (1) or more of the following: (1) Excessive use of flexible cords in lieu of permanent wiring; (2) The use of oversized overcurrent protection device for branch circuits, feeders or service; (3) Unapproved extensions to the wiring system in order to provide light, heat or power; (4) The lack of two (2) duplex receptacles in every habitable room, except there shall be a duplex receptacle outlet on each wall in the living room and at least one (1) duplex receptacle in the bathroom; (5) Electrical overloads resulting in frequent operation of an overcurrent device; (6) Misapplication of electrical equipment; (7) Lack of an operable switched light fixture in every toilet room, bathroom, laundry areas, furnace room, hall or stairwell; (8) Lack of an independent circuit and a grounded receptacle for laundry facilities; (9) Lack of at least one (1) lighting outlet for each two hundred (200) square feet of basement area; (10) Lack of service premises grounding. (c) Minimum Standards. The following requirements are the minimum standards and shall satisfy the intent of this section. (1) Entrances and Exits. Entrances and exits shall be illuminated by exterior lighting fixtures. These shall be controlled by interior wall switches, located for convenient and readily accessible use. (2) Living Rooms. The living room shall be provided with illumination. The lighting outlet shall be controlled by an interior wall switch located for convenient and readily accessible use, near the entrance to the room. Receptacle outlets controlled by a wall switch are permitted in lieu of a lighting outlet. Convenient duplex electrical receptacle outlets shall be provided equally spaced around the room, with at least one (1) duplex outlet on each wall where practical. (3) Kitchens. Kitchens shall be provided with illumination. The main lighting outlet shall be controlled by a wall switch, located for convenient and readily accessible use, near the entrance to the room. Fixtures over the sink shall be grounded and have a separate wall switch. Two (2) appliance circuits shall be provided, supplying a minimum of four (4) grounding-type receptacle outlets. One (1) or two (2) shall be suitably placed for connection of stove and refrigerator, and there shall be a minimum of three (3) receptacles above table or counter height for the convenient connection of small appliances, where practical. Appliance circuits shall be twenty (20) ampere capacity. (4) Bathrooms. Bathrooms shall be illuminated. The main lighting outlet shall be controlled by a wall switch next to the entrance. Fixtures over the sink shall be grounded and have a separate wall switch. Fixtures with receptacles shall have the receptacles permanently disconnected. A grounding-type receptacle outlet separate from the light fixture shall be provided and shall be located at least thirty (30) and not more than forty-eight (48) inches above the floor adjacent to the wash basin and not more than four (4) feet from the basin. (5) All Other Habitable Rooms. Illumination for each habitable room shall be provided. Lighting outlets shall be controlled by a wall switch. Wall switches shall be located for convenient and readily accessible use. Convenience duplex receptacle outlets shall be provided with a minimum of two (2) receptacle outlets equally spaced around the room. An additional receptacle outlet controlled by a wall switch is acceptable in lieu of a lighting outlet. (6) Basements. Basements shall be wired for a minimum of one (1) lighting outlet in each two hundred (200) square feet of major fraction of area for use as general illumination. All enclosed areas, except coal bins, that may be walked into, such as toilet rooms, fruit storage rooms, utility rooms, excavated areas under porches, etc., shall be provided with at least one (1) lighting outlet. Stairwell, laundry and electrical service area lighting outlets shall not be counted as part of the required basement lighting outlets. (7) Laundry Areas. The laundry area shall be provided with separate illumination. The laundry receptacle circuit shall be an individual twenty (20) ampere circuit. A wall mounted grounding-type duplex receptacle outlet shall be provided and located near the laundry equipment. (8) Space Heating System. Heating equipment requiring electrical energy for operation and/or control shall be provided with an individual circuit. A disconnect switch shall be provided on or adjacent to the heating equipment, except for a thermopile controlled furnace. (9) Stairwells and Hallways. Stairwells and hallways shall be adequately illuminated. Lighting outlets shall be controlled by wall switches. Wall switches shall be located for convenient and readily accessible use. Switches shall not be located where it is necessary to use darkened stair sections for their operation. Stairways to all finished portions of a dwelling shall be provided with a three (3) way or multiple switch control. (10) Service. Service to existing dwelling unit shall be a minimum of one hundred (100) ampere, three (3) wire capacity. Service equipment shall be dead front having no live parts exposed whereby accidental contact could be made. Type “S” fuses shall be installed when fused equipment is used. Existing service of fifty (50) amperes or larger, two (2) or three (3) wire capacity shall be accepted as an exception if adequate for the electrical load being served. (11) Service Meters. Supply to each dwelling unit shall be individually metered. No service shall be supplied through a meter to an area other than that controlled by the occupant, except where the owner pays for the electricity. (12) Service Main Disconnects and Panels. The area around the main disconnect and branch panel shall be illuminated. The maximum height from the floor to the top of any overcurrent device shall be six and one-half (6-1/2) feet. Clearance in front shall be a minimum of three (3) feet for ready access. (13) Grounding Electrode Conductors. One end of the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the grounded conductor in the service equipment on the supply side. The other end shall be connected to a metallic cold water pipe system, and a jumper shall be placed around the water meter. If there is no metallic cold water pipe system, then a ground rod electrode shall be installed. The ground rod shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet long and of approved diameter and material. (14) Existing Receptacles. Replacements for existing receptacles in rooms other than kitchen, bathrooms, basement or outdoor areas may be nongrounding type. All new receptacles shall be of the grounded type. (15) Existing Knob and Tube Circuits in Dwelling Units. A. Number fourteen (14) wire shall be fused at fifteen (15) amperes. B. Number twelve (12) wire shall be fused at twenty (20) amperes. C. All splices and joints to other wiring methods shall be in boxes. D. Any extension of knob and tube wiring shall be prohibited, except by special permission. E. All new and existing fixtures shall be mounted on shallow workboxes if boxes are nonexistent. F. All exposed abandoned wiring and equipment shall be removed. (16) Door Bells. Existing door bell system shall be restored to operating condition. (17) Basement Wiring. Basement wiring in dwelling units shall: A. Be in protective raceways or armored cable when bottom of joist is less than seven (7) feet above the floor; B. The size of the hole through the joist for nonmetallic sheathed cable shall be one-fourth (1/4) inches to three-eighths (3/8) inches larger than the diameter of the cable; C. Only one (1) cable shall pass through each hole.

Source: City of Cleveland, Ohio, Codified Ordinances and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-20968Fetched: 11/1/2026