Overland Park Adopts the 2023 NEC: What GCs and Electrical Contractors Need to Know

If you build, bid, or wire projects in Overland Park, Kansas, the electrical code you're working under has changed. The City replaced its long-running 2017 National Electrical Code with the 2023 edition as part of a broad building code update. Below is a summary of what we can verify from the City's own records, and what it means in practice for general contractors and electrical subs.

Before you bid: Always confirm the code edition, local amendments, and permit requirements in effect for your project directly with the City of Overland Park Building Safety Division. This article is a general summary, not legal or code-compliance advice.

The ordinance: BC-3499

Overland Park adopted the new codes through Ordinance No. BC-3499, titled "An Ordinance Adopting by Reference the 2024 International Building Codes and the 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code." The ordinance adds new Municipal Code chapters 16.300 through 16.380 and repeals the older chapters 16.100 through 16.170 (Ordinance BC-3499).

The electrical code is now in Chapter 16.360 of the Overland Park Municipal Code. Section 16.360.100 adopts the NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2023 Edition, second printing by reference as the City's Electrical Code, "save and except such parts or portions thereof as are specifically deleted, added or changed in the City Code." An official marked copy showing every local change is on file with the City Clerk for public inspection (Municipal Code 16.360).

The Municipal Code history notes list BC-3499 as a 2026 ordinance (Municipal Code). According to the City of Overland Park's permit review staff, the new codes took effect on July 1, 2026. Permits whose plan review fees weren't paid before that date were not grandfathered under the previous code. Confirm transition rules with the City.

Going from the 2017 NEC to the 2023 NEC

According to the City's January 7, 2026 staff report to the Community Development Committee, Overland Park had been "operating on the 2018 version of the ICC codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code" (Staff report). That means the update skips the 2020 NEC entirely. Crews used to 2017-era requirements will see two code cycles of changes at once.

The update went through a structured process. Staff briefed the Committee on July 2, 2025, and then put together a commercial code adoption task force. The task force included the AIA, a commercial contractor, The Builders Association, the Apartment Owners Association, USGBC, the City's Sustainability Division, a code consultant, and the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. It met seven times, reviewed 361 significant changes, and recommended modifications to 15 of them (Staff report).

The staff report also notes that the International Residential Code was not part of BC-3499 and was expected to go to Council separately in early to mid 2026 (Staff report). If you do residential work, check with the City on the status of that adoption.

Local amendments worth knowing

Kitchen island receptacles. One highlight of the task force's recommendations was "continuing to allow receptacles below countertops at kitchen islands" (Staff report). The 2023 NEC changed how island and peninsula receptacles are handled, so this local amendment matters for anyone roughing in kitchens. The City's amended section 16.360.210.52(C)(3) is reported to allow receptacles no more than 20 inches above the countertop, or no more than 12 inches below it unless the counter overhangs its support by more than 6 inches (CityRuleLookup summary). Check the exact wording against the official code before you lay out a kitchen.

Energy code items that affect electrical scope. BC-3499 also adopts the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. The local amendments remove mandatory on-site power production, occupancy-sensor controls for bath and kitchen lighting, and a main switch control requirement for certain occupancies (Staff report). Those changes can affect lighting-control and solar-readiness scope in your bids.

Permits and inspections

Under the new chapter, electrical work isn't administered under the NEC's own administrative article. The City's code points to the administrative provisions in Sections 103 through 116 of the Building Code (OPMC 16.300 et seq.) (CityRuleLookup summary). In practice, electrical permits, plan review, and inspections follow the same Building Code process as other construction. Ask the City for current fee schedules and submittal requirements.

Key 2023 NEC items to plan for

These are national NEC requirements. Whether Overland Park amended any of them couldn't be confirmed from public sources, so check the City's marked official copy:

• Surge protection (NEC 230.67): surge protection for dwelling-unit services.
• Emergency disconnects (NEC 230.85): an outdoor emergency disconnect for one- and two-family dwellings.
• Expanded GFCI and AFCI coverage compared with the 2017 edition.
• EV charging equipment (Article 625): updated EVSE rules.

For GCs, the practical point is to budget for these items on Overland Park jobs and to coordinate early with your electrical sub so pricing reflects the 2023 edition, not 2017 habits.

Plan your next Overland Park project around current code

XDS Electric LLC works with general contractors and builders to plan electrical scope around the code that's actually in effect.

Confirm all code requirements with the City of Overland Park before bidding or starting work.