ADMINISTRATION

Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 18, art. II, div. I

in effect

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-21 Generally.

§ 18-21. - Generally. The administration and enforcement of this Code shall be the responsibility of the Chief Electrical Inspector, who is supervised by the Development Services Director, or designated representative. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11; Ord. No. 26139, § 2, 5-7-19)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-22 Appointments; Chief Electrical Inspector and assistants.

§ 18-22. - Appointments; Chief Electrical Inspector and assistants. (a) There is hereby created the office of Chief Electrical Inspector. (b) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall be a resident of the State of Oklahoma and shall have at least five years' experience as a licensed electrical contractor in a municipality of 20,000 or larger population or have at least five years' experience as an electrical inspector in a municipality of 20,000 or larger population. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall hold a current State electrical contractor license and a City registration or must obtain a State of Oklahoma electrical contractor license within one year of the date of hire. The holding of such State electrical license and City registration shall not be construed as authorization to perform electrical work within The City of Oklahoma City. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall possess a current State of Oklahoma electrical inspector license, and possess a current national certification in electrical plan review or obtain a State electrical inspector license and national certification in electrical plan review within one year of the date of hire. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall give his/her entire time to the duties of said office, and shall not be interested directly or indirectly in any way with any contractor engaged in the electrical business within the City. (c) Assistant Electrical Inspectors, as may be necessary, to carry out the duties of this office may be assigned. Assistant Electrical Inspectors shall have at least five years' experience as a licensed electrical contractor or journeymen in a municipality of 20,000 or larger population or have at least five years' experience as an electrical inspector in a municipality of 20,000 or larger population. Assistant Electrical Inspectors shall hold at least a current State electrical journeyman license and possess a current State electrical inspector license or must obtain a State of Oklahoma electrical inspector license within one year of the date of hire. Assistant Electrical Inspectors shall not be interested directly or indirectly in any electrical business within the City. Plan reviewers shall be nationally certified in electrical plan review. (d) With prior approval of the Development Services Director, the Chief Electrical Inspector and assistants shall be reimbursed all monies expended to obtain, renew or maintain their State inspector licenses and related certifications. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11; Ord. No. 26139, § 2, 5-7-19)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-23 Duties of Chief Electrical Inspector.

§ 18-23. - Duties of Chief Electrical Inspector. (a) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall be charged with the duty of enforcing all sections of this Code relating to any installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, appurtenances and maintenance of electrical systems including inspections. The Chief Electrical Inspector or assistants shall inspect, or reinspect as authorized in this Code, all overhead, underground, and interior wires and apparatus conducting electricity within the City or outside the City that is regulated by this Code in either new or existing buildings, to ensure that the terms and provisions of this Code, and any amendments are complied with in full. (b) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall institute by and with the advice of the Municipal Counselor, or delegated assistants, such prosecution as may be necessary against any violators of any ordinance with the enforcement for which he is charged. In the event the violation pertains to a defective electrical installation for which a permit may or may not have been obtained by the electrical contractor and the electrical contractor fails to commence proper corrections within 48 hours and/or complete the necessary corrections within a timely manner after receiving notice from the Chief Electrical Inspector or assistant, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall take necessary action. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall maintain files on electrical contractors violating any provisions of this Code. (c) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall inspect for unsafe or hazardous conditions as may be necessary for public safety relative to any electrical system and/or wiring in or on any building or structure used for public, educational, religious, entertainment, residential and commercial purposes. (1) When any portion or all of the electrical system in or on any building, structure or premises is ordered changed for any reason, the Electrical Inspector shall leave attached to the main switch or service equipment a notice showing the date of the order and a memorandum of the correction to be made, and the signature of the inspector making the order. (2) The Electrical Inspector, in the discharge of his duties, may enter any building or premises as provided for in Chapter 2 of this Code. (d) The Chief Electrical Inspector or assistant may check the workers performing electrical, mechanical, gas, boiler and plumbing work to assure that each worker possesses a valid license and/or registration. (e) Copies of notices of violations, and citations shall be filed in the office of the Chief Electrical Inspector. (f) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall notify, in writing the service company, firm or individual furnishing the electricity to disconnect when such conductors, wiring, or apparatus are found to be unsafe or hazardous to life or property. Upon receipt of such notice, the service company, firm or individual furnishing electricity to such defective wiring or equipment shall, within 24 hours disconnect the service or feed wires and cease to supply electricity to the defective installation until the Chief Electrical Inspector shall give notice that the defects have been corrected. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall notify in writing the person, firm or corporation owning, using or operating the same to place them in a safe condition before electricity will be restored. (g) The Chief Electrical Inspector or assistant shall render a decision on plans and specifications submitted for review within three working days after receiving same. At least one full-time person, subordinate to the Chief Electrical Inspector, shall be employed to perform the duties of this subsection. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11; Ord. No. 26139, § 2, 5-7-19)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-24 Notices and orders.

§ 18-24. - Notices and orders. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall issue all necessary notices or orders to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to require necessary safeguards during construction, and to ensure compliance with all Code requirements for the safety, health and general welfare of the public. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-25 Penalties.

§ 18-25. - Penalties. (a) Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall severally, for each and every such violation, be deemed guilty of a Class "a" offense. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. The imposition of a penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation nor permit it to continue. The application of such penalty shall not be held to prevent the removal of prohibited conditions. For any second or subsequent offense and upon proof of prior conviction, said person shall be guilty of a Class "b" offense against the City. Any person who is required by any provision of this chapter or by any other law to obtain a license or to register with a City department or official prior to engaging in conduct that is regulated by this chapter, and who fails to obtain such a license or registration, or who fails to exhibit such a license or registration upon request by a City official, shall be guilty of a Class "b" offense against the City. (b) Failure of owner to correct defects; violations; penalty. Any owner of any premises who shall fail to promptly cause any defective electrical system, equipment or work to be corrected after having been notified of such defect shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this chapter, and shall be subject to the penalty specified in Section 18-25(a) of this chapter. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-26 Inspection.

§ 18-26. - Inspection. The Chief Electrical Inspector or assistants shall make all required inspections, or may accept reports of inspections by authorized and recognized services or individuals; and all reports of such inspections shall be in writing and certified by a responsible officer of such authoritative service or by the responsible individual; or may engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that may arise, subject to the approval of the Director of Development Services, or designated representative. After inspecting any electrical work, the electrical inspector shall leave notice of the result of the inspection. It shall be unlawful for any person other than an Oklahoma City inspector to remove, alter or damage any notice of the result of the inspection left by the electrical inspector. No person shall seal or in any manner conceal any electrical wiring until such work has been approved. Proper conveniences such as ladders shall be provided for inspectors on work to be inspected. The Chief Electrical Inspector and assistants shall be responsible to ensure that all inspections are made as needed including, but not limited to, ground work, rough-in and final inspections. The electrical contractor or authorized representative shall call for final inspection within ten days after completion of electrical work performed under any electrical permit. No structure shall be occupied prior to the final electrical inspection without approval by the authority having jurisdiction. (1) The address listed on the permit must be posted at all building sites. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11; Ord. No. 26139, § 2, 5-7-19)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-27 Inspection or plan review no relief from responsibility.

§ 18-27. - Inspection or plan review no relief from responsibility. Inspections and/or plan review shall not be construed to relieve or lessen the responsibility of any person, partnership, LLC or corporation owning, operating or installing, designing or constructing electric wiring, appliances, apparatus, or equipment, from the minimum requirements of the Code, damage to property or injury to persons by any defect in design, materials or workmanship therein. Nor shall the City or any agent thereof be deemed to assume any such liability by reason of the inspection and/or plan review made by the Chief Electrical Inspector, assistants and/or any plan reviewer. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-28 Service release.

§ 18-28. - Service release. Electric service companies shall not make connection to buildings for which a service release has not been issued. It shall be unlawful for any electrical utility company, or supplier of electricity for light, heat or power, to make any electrical connection to any building or electric wiring or apparatus until a release stating that the electric wiring has been approved. All firms, corporations or individuals, whether operating under a regular franchise granted by the City or not, shall, upon written notice by the Chief Electrical Inspector, disconnect from any such circuit including main service wires, branch feeder wires or distribution, as designated by said notice, within 24 hours, and shall not reconnect to said installation except upon written notice from the Chief Electrical Inspector. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-29 Credentials.

§ 18-29. - Credentials. The Chief Electrical Inspector and assistants shall carry proper credentials, City ID, City commission card, current State inspector and trade licenses of the office for the purpose of inspecting any and all buildings, structures and premises in the performance of their duties. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 18-30 Records.

§ 18-30. - Records. The Development Services Director, or designated representative, shall keep official records of applications received, permits and certificates issued, fees collected, reports of inspections, and notices and orders issued under this Code. Such records shall be retained as the official records as required by State law. (Ord. No. 24281, § 2, 6-14-11)

Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH18ELCO_ARTIIADEN_DIVIADFetched: 10/28/2026