North Carolina's permit exemption for electrical--unclear

[ericsarratt]

I was just looking over my State's (North Carolina) law for what can be done without a permit.

This is confusing to me and I wanted electricians' and engineers' input.

Are the words in this law clear to you? How would you interpret this?

Permit Exemptions:
GS 153A-357 and GS 160A-417 state:
“No permit issued under Articles 9 or 9C of G.S. Chapter 143 shall be required for any construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration costing twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or less in any single-family residence or farm building unless the work involves:..."

"...the addition, replacement or change in the design of heating, air conditioning, or electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment"

 

[roger]

https://www.ncbeec.org/
scroll down to the Contact Us page
They can explain it.

Phone​

(919) 733-9042

 

[wwhitney]

Are the words in this law clear to you? How would you interpret this?

Are you doing any "addition, replacement or change in the design of heating, air conditioning, or electrical wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment"? If so, the exemption from a permit does not apply, and you need a permit.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[jaggedben]

When I read it in context it's very clear that no electrical work of any kind is supposed to be done without a permit.

https://codes.findlaw.com/nc/chapter-153a-counties/nc-gen-st-sect-153a-357.html

(This link appears to have a slightly out-of-date version but I'm assuming only the dollar amount was changed and not much else.)

The exception really seems aimed at things specifically called out in subsection 1, i.e "replacements of windows, doors, exterior siding, or the pickets, railings, stair treads, and decking of porches and exterior decks." Or interior finishes.