Cathedral City, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2022 California Electrical Code (Part 3, Title 24)
- Permit fee
- Per City Council fee schedule, one fee per permit
- One-family service
- Not less than 200 amperes, 225 ampere bus
- Aluminum conductors
- Prohibited smaller than size 1/0 AWG
- Authority Having Jurisdiction
- Chief Building Official and designees
- Infraction fine cap
- $100 for a first violation
Summary
Cathedral City adopts the 2022 California Electrical Code, based on the 2020 National Electrical Code, in Chapter 8.14. A fee is paid for each electrical permit under the fee schedule adopted by the City Council, and permit administration follows Section 89.108.4. A one-family dwelling service must be rated not less than 200 amperes.
9. Section 80.19 is amended to read as follows: 80.19 Permits. The administration of permits under this Electrical Code shall be governed by Section 89.108.4 of the General Code Provisions of this Electrical Code. 1 ... 5. Section 80.37 is added to provide for fees: 80.37 Fees. (A) Payment of fees. On buildings, structures, and electrical systems or alterations requiring a permit under this Electrical Code, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the City Council, a copy of which is on file with the Building and Safety Division. (B) Fee refunds. The Chief Building Official is authorized to establish a fee refund policy. 16. Section 80.39 is added to provide for inspections: 80.39 Inspections. The administration of inspections under this code shall be governed by subsection 89.108.4.4 of the General Code Provisions of this Electrical Code.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.14 adopts the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, as the Electrical Code for the city of Cathedral City. It is published as Part 3 of Title 24 and based on the 2020 National Electrical Code. Under § 8.14.010 it governs the design, construction, reconstruction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance or use of electrical equipment, wiring and systems, as well as the issuance of permits and the collection of permit fees.
Permit administration is set in § 8.14.030, which adopts Annex H with changes. Section 80.19 says the administration of permits is governed by Section 89.108.4 of the General Code Provisions. Section 80.37 requires that, on buildings, structures and electrical systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit be paid in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the City Council, and it authorizes the Chief Building Official to establish a fee refund policy. Section 80.39 sends inspections to subsection 89.108.4.4. Section 80.2 names the City's Chief Building Official and designees as the Authority Having Jurisdiction, and Section 80.13 establishes the Building and Safety Division under that official's control. A written application with a fee established by the City Council is required for a proposed alternate material or method of construction.
Section 8.14.020 adds two technical rules. For a one-family dwelling, the service disconnecting means must have a rating of not less than 200 amperes, 3-wire, with a minimum 225 ampere bus. The use of aluminum and copper-clad aluminum conductors, feeder conductors, branch circuit conductors and taps or service entrance cables smaller than size 1/0 AWG is expressly prohibited.
Building Code Section 105.8 in § 8.04.020 says permits for electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work, on other than R-3 and associated U occupancies, shall only be issued to California licensed contractors. Appeals go to the electrical board, which is the Board of Appeals under Section 113 of the Building Code and has no authority to waive requirements of the code.
Violations & Fines
Section 80.23 makes it unlawful to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish or occupy any building, structure or equipment in violation of the Electrical Code or a permit. A violation is an infraction under Chapter 13.65, with fines capped at one hundred dollars for a first violation, two hundred dollars for a second within twelve months, and five hundred dollars for a third. Public nuisance conditions can be abated under Chapter 13.80.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cathedral City
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