Jonesboro, AR Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2011 National Electrical Code
- Permit issued to
- State-licensed electricians only
- Master switch required
- On services up to 400 amps
- Residential circuit cap
- 10 receptacles per 15-amp circuit
- Concealment hold
- 36 hours after notice to inspector
Summary
Jonesboro wires everything to the 2011 National Electrical Code and makes a permit mandatory before any interior or outside wiring work begins. The city electrical inspector issues permits only to state-licensed electricians, and unpermitted work is a misdemeanor.
There is hereby adopted by reference by the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas a certain electrical code known as the 2011 National Electric Code, less and except those portions that are deleted, modified or amended as specified in this article. ... Each person desiring to install or repair interior wiring or other apparatus for the use of electrical current in the city, shall, before commencing or doing any work, file an application in writing for a permit therefore with the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 105-53, the city has adopted the 2011 National Electrical Code by reference, with local amendments layered on top. Sec. 105-90 requires anyone installing or repairing interior wiring or electrical apparatus to file a written application describing the materials, plans, and job address before starting work; the electrical inspector reviews it and issues the permit in triplicate. Permits may go only to persons duly licensed by the state to perform electrical installations, per subsection (d). Local amendments in Sec. 105-54 add specifics the NEC alone does not cover: most commercial buildings must be wired in metal conduit (with narrow exemptions for temporary manufactured-home offices and portable buildings under 500 square feet), a master switch or breaker is required on all services up to 400 amps, no permit issues for service exceeding 200 amps or any three-phase service without written utility approval, and residential circuits are capped at ten duplex receptacles per 15-amp circuit and 13 per 20-amp circuit.
Sec. 105-93 requires the inspector to be notified before wiring is concealed, with a 36-hour hold for inspection, and a certificate of inspection before current may be used. Sec. 105-96 sets inspection fees and doubles the fee for anyone who starts work before applying.
Violations & Fines
Doing electrical work without a permit is a misdemeanor under Sec. 105-90(c). The electrical inspector can direct the utility to cut power to noncompliant work (Sec. 105-58(c)) and must notify the utility in writing that current will be cut within 48 hours if a violation is not corrected (Sec. 105-58(d)). Sec. 105-58(a)-(b) makes violations of the article, concealing unsoldered joints, or splicing wire in conduit misdemeanors as well.
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Sources & Official References
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