Yakima, WA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- YMC §§ 11.16.010-.030
- Code adopted
- National Electrical Code via WAC 296-46
- Enforcing agency
- WA Dept. of Labor & Industries
- Statutory basis
- RCW 19.28, RCW 19.29
- Local amendments
- None in Chapter 11.16
- Emergency power
- L&I may disconnect service (§11.16.030)
Summary
Yakima has no municipal electrical code or in-house electrical inspectors: YMC § 11.16.010 hands the entire subject to the state, providing that the National Electrical Code, as adopted and maintained by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries in WAC 296-46, 'shall govern electrical installations and construction in the city of Yakima' under RCW Chapters 19.28 and 19.29.
§ 11.16.010. Electrical installation and construction regulated by state law. Pursuant to Chapters 19.28 and 19.29 RCW, the National Electrical Code, as adopted and maintained by the State Department of Labor and Industries in Chapter 296-46 WAC, and any other duly adopted rules or regulations, shall govern electrical installations and construction in the city of Yakima. § 11.16.020. Enforcement. Pursuant to Chapters 19.28 and 19.29 RCW, the State Department of Labor and Industries is responsible for enforcement of Chapters 19.28 and 19.29 RCW, Chapter 296-46 WAC, and any other duly adopted rules or regulations. § 11.16.030. Authority to disconnect utilities. The administrative authority and/or an authorized representative of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries shall have the authority to disconnect an electrical system to a building, structure or equipment in case of emergency where such disconnection is necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property, or in case of an illegal service connection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
Three short sections make up Yakima's entire electrical chapter, and together they hand the field to the state rather than create city rules. 22. 030 gives 'the administrative authority and/or an authorized representative of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries' the power to disconnect an electrical system to a building, structure or equipment in an emergency where disconnection is necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property, or where there is an illegal service connection. 29 preempts local electrical permitting statewide.
Violations & Fines
Because Chapter 11.16 assigns both the electrical code and its enforcement to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries under RCW 19.28 and 19.29, violations of Yakima's electrical rules are cited and penalized under state law and L&I's own enforcement authority, not under a separate city fine schedule. L&I or its authorized representative may also disconnect service without a fine under YMC § 11.16.030 when there is an immediate hazard or an illegal connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Yakima issue electrical permits?
Who inspects electrical work in Yakima?
Can power be shut off to my Yakima building for an electrical hazard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
Compare Yakima to another location·View the Washington building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.