Berwyn, IL Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Chapter 1424 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances makes the National Electric Code the city's electrical standard. Section 1424.01(A) adopts the 2023 Edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Massachusetts, to regulate the installation, alteration, repair and use of electrical wiring and equipment, save for any portions the city amends or deletes. Ord. 26-05, passed 3-24-2026, is the most recent amendment recorded on the section.

Division (B) is an evergreen clause. The City Council invokes its power to adopt subsequent editions by reference, and each new edition, with its regulations, penalties, conditions, terms and appendices, becomes the city's electrical code on publication and supersedes the prior edition. The only brake is specific action by the City Council to the contrary. That ties Berwyn's electrical requirements to the NFPA publication schedule rather than to a Council vote.

Section 1424.02 requires two copies of the code and two copies of the local amendments on file with the City Clerk, and at least one copy with the Director of Buildings, open to public inspection from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Section 1424.03 settles conflicts in the city's favor: if the NEC conflicts with Part Fourteen (the Building and Housing Code), any other provision of the Codified Ordinances or any other local ordinance, the local provision prevails.

Berwyn stacks its own service standard on top of the NEC. Section 1464.01 requires service conductors with a minimum ampacity of 100 amperes and 100 amp main breaker panels in buildings with electrical service. That requirement is enforced only for buildings sold or transferred after the section's passage, and it bars any contractor, electrician or other person from installing or improving electrical service, appliances or equipment unless the building has 100 ampere service and, where the Codified Ordinances require it, a permit from the Director of Buildings. Permits themselves run through § 1443.01(A)(5), which covers installing or altering equipment the Building Code regulates, and the fee schedule in § 1444.01. Section 1441.03(C) excludes electric wiring and equipment installation from the ordinary repairs that need no application.