Wilmington, NC Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Section 16-108 states its rules "are intended to apply to permanent buildings or structures covered by the National Electrical Code," layering city-specific requirements on top of the adopted NEC. Buildings required by the state building code to have an emergency power source must enclose service entrance conductors in approved raceway, and the entire emergency lighting system must be wired in metal raceway, nonmetallic raceway encased in at least two inches of concrete, mineral-insulated metal-sheathed cable, or MC cable, with narrow exceptions for sound, communication and fire-signaling circuits. Every gasoline pump, dispenser or other electrical device where flammable liquids or gases are transferred to a vehicle's fuel tank must run through an individual rigid metal conduit, though those conduits may be consolidated once they clear the hazardous area. Service equipment cannot be located in an attic, clothes closet, kitchen storage cabinet, bathroom, toilet room or coal or trash bin, and flush-mounted panelboards with spare pole spaces need at least a one-inch spare raceway for future extension.

Enforcement runs through the electrical inspector with jurisdiction in the city, who under § 16-130 may cut or disconnect wiring in an emergency and, under § 16-131, may disconnect service to any wiring, device or equipment found dangerous because of a defect until it is made safe and reapproved. Section 16-132 makes it unlawful to fail, neglect or refuse to correct wiring defects within a reasonable time after written notice from the inspector, and § 16-134 requires correction of defects uncovered when inspecting additions or alterations to an existing wiring system.