Lighting, Switches or Receptacles Permit Requirements
The on-line permit is available for properties in Sunnyvale with a residential zoning district.
Zoning district information is available on-line by clicking on E-Zoning.
This permit will allow new lighting switches or receptacles to be installed. The following are the minimum
requirements that must be met based on the 2007 California Electrical Code and the 2005 California Energy Standards:
General Requirements
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New lighting or receptacles added may not overload existing circuits.
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Receptacles installed in the following locations must be GFCI protected: exterior, garage, bathrooms, and above
the kitchen countertop. (2007 CEC 210.12)
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New outlets (including receptacles, switches, lighting, and hard-wired smoke detectors) in bedrooms must be on
circuits protected with a combination arc-fault breaker. (2007 CEC 210.12)
General Lighting Requirements
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Newly installed lighting in bedrooms, family room, living rooms, hallways, dining rooms, etc. shall be high
efficiency fixtures (e.g. fluorescent), or all switches shall be dimmer switches, or be controlled with an
occupant sensor with controls that do not allow the fixtures to be automatically turned on or allow the
fixture to be always on. (CA Title 24 Section 150)
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Recessed lighting fixtures shall be rated as air-tight (AT) and, when installed in an insulated ceiling shall
have an approved zero clearance insulation cover (IC). (CA Title 24 Section 150)
Kitchen Lighting
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If adding or replacing lighting in the kitchen, a minimum of 50% of the total rated lighting wattage
(based on the maximum allowed for each fixture) shall be high efficiency fixtures (e.g. fluorescent). The
following table defines the requirements for high efficacy lighting (CA Title 24 Section 150):
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| HIGH EFFICIENCY LAMP REQUIREMENTS |
| Lamp Power Rating |
Minimum Lamp Efficiency |
| 15 watts or less |
40 lumens per watt |
| over 15 watts to 40 watts |
50 lumens per watt |
| over 40 watts |
60 lumens per watt |
|
Bathroom Lighting
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If adding or replacing lighting in a bathroom, lighting shall be high efficiency fixtures (e.g. fluorescent)
or be controlled with an occupant sensor with controls that do not allow the fixtures to be manually turned on
or allow the fixture to be always on. The following table defines the requirements for high efficacy lighting
(CA Title 24 Section 150):
| |
| HIGH EFFICIENCY LAMP REQUIREMENTS |
| Lamp Power Rating |
Minimum Lamp Efficiency |
| 15 watts or less |
40 lumens per watt |
| over 15 watts to 40 watts |
50 lumens per watt |
| over 40 watts |
60 lumens per watt |
|
Exterior Lighting and Receptacles
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Exterior lighting shall be shielded to prevent glare or direct illumination on public streets or adjacent
properties. (Sunnyvale Municipal Code)Any new exterior electrical receptacles installed must be GFCI protected
and in a waterproof enclosure. (CEC 210.8 and 406.8)
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Outdoor lighting shall be approved for exterior locations and when permanently mounted to the building shall be
high efficiency fixtures (e.g. fluorescent) or controlled by a motion sensor with integral photocontrol.
(CA Title 24 Section 150)
Inspections
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Two inspections are required. The rough inspection should be scheduled when the new fixtures are located, but before power is supplied to them. The final inspection should be scheduled after all the work is complete.
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