Dick, I routinely monitor these for the Society of Broadcast Engineers. These proposals (and there are numerous LV wiring ordinances) as you can easily imagine have a profound effect on the operation of broadcast stations, because every time any LV wiring is done at a broadcast studio, a licensed electrician has to be brought in instead of having the broadcast engineer do it.

I have a list of some of these, but as far as I know, no one has attempted to enforce them in a residential context, though I agree that it is entirely possible to do so in some cases. A county in southern Maryland has attempted to enforce such an ordinance, as has one in Missouri, as recent examples. 

73, Chris W3KD 

Christopher D. Imlay
BOOTH, FRERET, IMLAY & TEPPER, P.C.
14356 Cape May Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011
(301) 384-5525 telephone
(301) 384-6384 facsimile
W3KD@ARRL.ORG


-----Original Message-----
From: dick@pobox.com
To: arrl-odv@arrl.org; w3kd@aol.com
Cc: dhenderson@arrl.org
Sent: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 4:41 pm
Subject: Low-Voltage Permits & Inspections

20 FEB 2009 - 1541 CST 
 
I don't think we need another layer of permits and inspections for the construction, maintenance, and improvement of amateur radio stations. 
 
While the imposition of low-voltage wiring permits and inspections is not 
a big issue now, I agree with my constituent that it could be an issue in 
the future. We need to keep tabs on this. 
 
- Dick Isely, W9GIG 
 
===================================================================== 
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:36:41 -0600 
Message-ID: <da79e3350902190736p49632ba5ld9335714cd365d8c@mail.gmail.com> 
Subject: IBEW proposal 
From: James Wades <jameswades@gmail.com> 
To: w9gig@arrl.org 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 
 
Hi Dick: 
 
A business associate of mine in Michigan sent me the following links to articles in the Toledo Blade Newspaper. I am forwarding them to you as 
ARRL Central Division Director because they may have some impact on ham 
radio operators in other areas. 
 
Essentially, the IBEW Union has been pushing to require electrical permits 
and subsequent inspections for low-voltage residential wiring. 
 
I suspect the goal of the union is to force small operators and do-it- 
yourself out of the home automation and home theatre business. However, 
such a law, if it were to succeed, may prove too broad if crafted 
improperly, thereby requiring radio amateurs to obtain an electrical 
permit and a follow-up inspection for a ham radio installation. 
 
The proposed law did not succeed in Toledo. However, I have heard that 
they are pushing for this law in other areas. It seems unpopular, so 
perhaps it will die a quick death in the crib. Nonetheless, it might be advisable for the League to keep it's eyes open for such activities at 
the local/State level and insure that a local Amateur Radio Club or SGL express objections when such laws are proposed. 
 
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090218/NEWS16/902189989/0/NEWS 
 
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090219/NEWS16/902199997 
 
Best Regards, 
 
James Wades, WB8SIW 
PO Box 1063 
Marion, IL. 62959 
618-751-3951 
269-650-0215