Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending the City of McKinney Code of Ordinances, Chapter 122, Article III “Electrical Installations,” by Adopting the 2026 Edition of the National Electrical Code, Together with Certain Local Amendments and the Recommended Amendments of the North Central Texas Council of Governments
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Safe and Secure Community
6.4: Pursue and maintain the highest Insurance Standards Office (ISO) fire and building protection classification.
MEETING DATE: September 14, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Building Inspections
CONTACT: Suzanne Arnold, Chief Building Official
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends the Building and Standards Commission approve the proposed ordinance adopting the 2026 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), including local and North Central Texas Council of Governments amendments.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Every three years, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes a new edition of the National Electrical Code (Code) for jurisdictions to adopt. Such a code must be adopted into ordinance to be effective.
• The State of Texas has adopted the Code and has mandated through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) that it be enforced statewide, effective September 1, 2026.
• The proposed ordinance formally adopts the 2026 Code, including amendments recommended by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and local amendments proposed by Staff.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The 2023 National Electrical Code is currently adopted and enforced by the City of McKinney.
• The State of Texas adopted the 2026 Code as the mandatory minimum standard for electrical work throughout Texas under Section 135.101 of the Local Government Code and Rule 73.100 of the Texas Administrative Code, and it becomes effective on September 1, 2026. The City of McKinney is required by law to enforce the 2026 NEC starting September 1, 2026.
• The proposed ordinance will adopt the Code locally along with amendments recommended by the NCTCOG and amendments proposed by Staff.
• City staff published a list of significant changes between the 2023 and 2026 Editions on the City’s website. A synopsis of some significant changes is below:
o The common term “Overcurrent Protective Device” has been replaced with “OCPD” over 700 times in the code.
o Dimensions for access space for electrical equipment and egress from those areas have been modified.
o The code addresses how overheated, fire- or water-damaged wiring and equipment are evaluated.
o A new NCTCOG amendment addresses the location of disconnects for enclosed energy storage battery banks to preserve firefighter safety.
• The NCTCOG amendments are written by a panel of experts on the NCTCOG Electrical Advisory Board, approved by the Regional Codes Coordinating Committee, and ratified by the NCTCOG Board of Directors.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• Seeking recommendation from the Building and Standards Commission