Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-39

A. General requirements. (1) Adequate electrical service shall be provided to meet occupancy load. The service size shall be computed using the basic standards set forth in NFPA 70 (National Electric Code). (2) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed and maintained so as not to be a potential source of ignition or a potential source of electrical hazard. (3) All electrical circuits shall be balanced properly. (4) The panel box and circuits shall be properly identified. (5) All old service equipment/wires not utilized shall be removed. (6) Electrical wiring, equipment, fixtures and devices shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. (7) Electrical wiring and equipment installed in damp or wet locations or where exposed to explosive or flammable gases, dust, fibers or flyings or excessive temperatures shall be of a type approved for the purpose and location. (8) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive current by properly rated and installed overcurrent devices. (9) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be grounded or otherwise protected by insulation, isolation or guarding so as to minimize the danger of high voltages from lightning or other causes. (10) Electrical equipment which in normal operation produces arcs, sparks or excessive heat shall be enclosed or separated and isolated from all combustible substances. (11) Service equipment and overcurrent protection devices shall be installed and maintained in a readily accessible location. (12) Overcurrent protective devices shall be maintained in safe operating condition and in an accessible location and shall not be locked or fastened in the "on" position so as to render the devices inoperative. (13) Grounding of electrical wiring and equipment shall be maintained to provide protection against fire or shock hazards. (14) All surface metal raceway and attached outlets shall be properly grounded. (15) All electrical openings shall be provided with covers or plates. (16) Flexible cord and nonmetallic extension cords shall not be used in place of permanent fixed wiring, and the temporary use thereof shall be kept to a minimum. It is prohibited to use extension cords to power common household appliances or permanently installed extension lights. Likewise, they may not be run through holes in walls, ceilings or floors or run through doorways, windows or similar openings or attached to building surfaces or concealed behind walls or above ceilings or under floors or floor coverings. (17) All electrical equipment (receptacle outlets, light fixtures, switches, etc.) shall be maintained in serviceable condition, clean and free from excessive dust, paint, grease or other contaminants. (18) All exposed wiring shall be maintained enclosed or protected according to applicable generally accepted standards. (a) Knob and tube conductors may be retained in exposed basement, cellar or attic areas if they are deemed adequate in accordance with the following: [1] The insulation of all conductors shall be pliable and free from nicks, gouges and missing sections. [2] The conductors shall be separated from other lighting and power conductors, conduit, piping, ducting or other conductive materials by a minimum of two inches or have the appropriate sleeving installed. [3] The conductors shall not be installed in walls or hollow spaces filled with weatherization or other insulation materials. [4] The conductors shall not have been altered in any way. (b) All knob and tube conductors not meeting this criteria shall be removed and those affected areas rewired in conformance with the NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code). B. Artificial lighting. (1) Habitable and occupied space shall be provided with electric light installed and controlled in conformance with the use of that space. (2) Common areas in buildings and other structures shall be provided with electric light. Such lighting shall conform to the following: (a) A sufficient number of lighting fixtures shall be provided so that a twenty-footcandle (20 luminaries square feet) light intensity, as measured at the floor, is dispersed evenly throughout the common area. (b) Exterior artificial lighting affixed to buildings or structures shall be installed so as not to produce objectionable glare across property lines and become a nuisance. (3) All residential buildings and occupancies shall be wired for electricity, and lighting equipment shall be installed throughout to provide adequate illumination for the intended use of each space. Each electric wiring system shall be connected to an adequate source of supply. (4) There shall be a switch or other means for controlling a light in each dwelling unit near the points of entrance to such unit. (5) All common areas, hatchways, stairways, interior and exterior landings, foyers and hallways shall be provided with adequate artificial lighting controlled in conformance with generally accepted standards. (6) Required hallway lighting fixtures shall be switched from wall-mounted switches. C. Minimum standards, one- and two-family structures. The aforesaid electrical requirements contained in Subsections A and B shall be used as the minimum standards for inspecting and approving electrical systems in existing structures in the instances of: (1) Voluntary permit applications. (2) Inspection of one- and two-family structures pursuant to complaints and/or referrals. (3) The rehabilitation/remodeling of one- and two-family structures not requiring the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. (4) The inspection of one- and two-family structures for purposes of issuing a rental permit. D. Minimum standards, multiple dwellings, structures of mixed use and substantial rehabilitation. (1) In addition to the requirements contained in Subsections A and B above, the following electrical requirements shall be used as the minimum standards for inspecting and approving electrical systems in existing structures in the instances of: (a) Rental permits. (b) Inspection of all multiple dwelling and structures of mixed use pursuant to complaints, referrals and rehabilitation applications. (c) The rehabilitation of residential structures requiring the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. (2) Minimum standards. (a) Adequate receptacle outlets shall be installed in all spaces, as follows: [1] A minimum of two receptacle outlets in every habitable space at least 10 feet by 10 feet in size. [2] Basements, cellars, attics, crawl spaces, hallways and roof areas where mechanical equipment is installed shall have adequate receptacle outlets as necessary to eliminate the use of extension cords for lighting and power. [3] Kitchens/kitchenettes shall have adequate receptacle outlets to utilize appliances without extension cords or multiple outlet attachments. [4] All new outlets installed to meet the requirements of this section shall be installed in conformance with the NFPA 70 (National Electric Code). (b) All habitable space shall be provided with artificial light. E. Minimum standards, existing commercial structures. (1) In addition to the requirements contained in Subsections A and B above, the following shall be used as the minimum standards for inspecting and approving electrical systems in existing commercial structures in the instances of: (a) Certificate of occupancy applications. (b) Certificate of inspection applications. (c) Rehabilitation/remodeling with or without an issuance of a certificate of occupancy. (d) All complaint/referral inspections. (e) All voluntary permit applications to change the electrical service. (2) Minimum standards. (a) Services less than 60 amperes shall not be permitted. (b) Adequate receptacle outlets shall be provided in all occupiable spaces. (c) All electrical circuits shall be utilized in conformance with their overcurrent protection. (d) There shall be no greater than 10 receptacle outlets installed on each fifteen-ampere branch circuit or no greater than 13 receptacle outlets installed on each twenty-ampere branch circuit. (e) All artificial lighting fixtures in occupiable space shall be switched from wall-mounted switches. Lighting for storage rooms, crawl spaces and basement areas removed from stairways may be switched by fixtures with an integral pull switch. (f) Switches controlling artificial lighting where accessible to other than authorized persons shall be guarded against operation by appropriate means.