Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.214
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.214. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the National Electrical Code, as it existed on May 1, 2001, is adopted as the municipal electrical construction code in this state and applies to all residential and commercial electrical construction applications.(b) A municipality may establish procedures:(1) to adopt local amendments to the National Electrical Code; and(2) for the administration and enforcement of the National Electrical Code.(c) The National Electrical Code applies to all commercial buildings in a municipality for which construction begins on or after January 1, 2006, and to any alteration, remodeling, enlargement, or repair of those commercial buildings.(d) A municipality may not adopt or enforce an amendment to the National Electrical Code that would regulate the installation or inspection of a residential energy backup system.(e) Subsection (d) does not limit the authority of a municipally owned utility, as defined by Section 11.003, Utilities Code, to regulate the installation or inspection of a residential energy backup system within the utility's service area. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 120, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 389 (S.B. 1458), Sec. 3, eff. January 1, 2006.Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 356 (S.B. 1252), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.
Section 214.214 of the Texas Local Government Code establishes the National Electrical Code (NEC), as it existed on May 1, 2001, as the baseline electrical construction standard for both residential and commercial buildings statewide. For commercial buildings, the NEC applies to new construction beginning on or after January 1, 2006, as well as to alterations, remodeling, enlargements, or repairs of those buildings. Municipalities are permitted to adopt local amendments and set their own enforcement procedures, but they are expressly prohibited from using those amendments to regulate the installation or inspection of residential energy backup systems—though a municipally owned utility retains that regulatory authority within its own service area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers undertaking electrical construction, renovation, or repair work should be aware that § 214.214 sets the NEC as the governing electrical code across Texas, with municipalities authorized to layer on local amendments. Compliant operators typically verify which version of the NEC their municipality has locally amended and ensure that all electrical work—whether on new construction or alterations—meets those standards before beginning a project. Landlords installing or modifying residential energy backup systems should note that municipal electrical code amendments cannot govern that work, though a municipally owned utility serving the property may have its own applicable rules.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 214.214, tenants have an interest in knowing that electrical construction and repair work in their residence must meet the NEC standards adopted by state law, along with any local amendments the municipality has put in place. If electrical work in a rental unit appears to fall short of code—such as unpermitted wiring or uninspected alterations—tenants can generally raise this as a concern with the local municipal building or code enforcement office responsible for administering § 214.214. Tenant-rights organizations can help renters understand how local electrical code enforcement intersects with habitability obligations and what complaint or inspection request processes may be available in their municipality.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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