Separate circuit panels for separate offices?

[jaylectricity]

Hello, I don't do much commercial work so I was wondering if there was a code against running a sub-panel from the main panel to power a separate business located within the same building.

Right now the main panel is on one side of the building where the customer would like to turn the space into an office. The rest of the building he wants to be a kitchen cabinet showroom. He's willing to include the electricity in the rent, or if he must he'll have me install multiple meters and feeders to each space. Although this would please me, I don't want to tell him he has to if he doesn't.

I'm looking through article 230 and I'm only seeing reference to where the feeders are allowed to be. I feel like I read something on here about tenants needing access to their overcurrent protection, although in this case the OCPDs will be on the tenants side while the owner actually occupies the other side...for now.

Honestly, just point me in the right direction and I can take it from there.

Thanks.

 

[480sparky]

You might want to check 240.24(B). Metering isn't really an NEC issue. Usually a local code and POCO deal.

 

[jaylectricity]

Thanks, that's what I'm looking for.

Would it be normal for the owner to not have immediate access to the tenant's side of the building due to alarm systems, etc? I can't imagine a lawyer's office would be expected to allow their landlord into the office during off-hours without some kind of notice. In this case, a simple sub-panel would not be enough because the main panel is inside the office area.