While there is a 2020 edition of the NEC, California — along with 23 other states — is still using the 2017 NEC. If you want to check out where we’re at, and what other states are doing, you can look at this color-coded map. It’s published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the same organization that issues each edition of the NEC.
But, wait. Doesn’t the state have a more current electrical code? Yes, but the 2019 California Electrical Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 3) is based on the 2017 NEC.
In fact, we’re probably sticking to the 2017 NEC for a while. We didn’t vote to adopt this code until January 2019. The codes weren’t published by the state until July 2019. Then, the state observed a six-month statutorily required waiting period, which means the 2017 NEC didn’t technically get enforced until January 2020.
Thanks! It seems like part of my beef is with Massachusetts being very eager to stay on the most current code. It looks like the 2020 NEC was adopted 12/27/2019, and the 2017 NEC 1/1/2017.
I hadn’t realized how atypically fast MA is doing this. MA was the only state on the 2017 NEC from January until June; CO adopted in June, ID, ND, SD, MN, WY, and WA in July, OR and VT in October, and ME in November. Everyone else not until 2018 or later (or still hasn’t).
https://up.codes/viewer/california/ca-electric-code-2022 seems to be the Californian version. In it they seem to have “adopt/adopt with amendment/adopt expect”
https://www.tradesmance.com/career-central/current-california-electrical-code also writes:
Thanks! It seems like part of my beef is with Massachusetts being very eager to stay on the most current code. It looks like the 2020 NEC was adopted 12/27/2019, and the 2017 NEC 1/1/2017.
I hadn’t realized how atypically fast MA is doing this. MA was the only state on the 2017 NEC from January until June; CO adopted in June, ID, ND, SD, MN, WY, and WA in July, OR and VT in October, and ME in November. Everyone else not until 2018 or later (or still hasn’t).