Union, NY Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Chapter 106, the "Electrical Code of the Town of Union," regulates the installation and alteration of wiring for electrical light, heat or power and signal systems operating on 50 volts or more on all real property in the Town of Union outside the corporate limits of the Villages of Johnson City and Endicott (§§ 106-1 and 106-2). The reason is stated plainly: there is danger to life and property inherent in the use of electrical energy.

The technical standard is the National Electrical Code, defined in § 106-3 as National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 70. The one carve-out is that where this chapter, another local law or ordinance, or the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code prescribes something different, compliance with that rule counts as proper compliance with the chapter.

Inspection works through an outside agency. Section 106-4 empowers the New York Board of Fire Underwriters or another authorized agency to provide the electrical inspectors, subject to Town Board approval of each appointment. Under § 106-5 the inspector can enter any building during reasonable hours to inspect or test wiring, material, fixtures and appliances. Inspectors cannot sell, install or maintain electrical equipment or hold a financial interest in a business that does, and the cost of inspections is never a charge against the Town.

The sequence for a contractor is in §§ 106-5(D) and 106-6. File an application for inspection with an approved agency before installing or altering wiring. Notify the agency when the installation is complete. If the installation fully complies, the inspector issues the agency's certificate as final approval authorizing connection to the electrical service and use of the installation, and sends written notice to the utility. A certificate for temporary work expires at a stated time and the inspector can revoke it at his discretion.

Section 106-8 exempts mines, ships, railway cars, automotive equipment, utility installations used exclusively for utility purposes, electrical manufacturing work, and buildings wholly owned or leased by the United States or New York State. Section 106-10 exempts manufacturers that employ electricians with at least three years of experience, provided a list of those electricians reaches the Building Official by January 1 each year, with no fees for filing it.