Code Change Summary: Changes made to the scope of the NEC^®.

SME commentary: In the 2026 NEC^® the heading of Section 90.2 has been slightly changed from “Use and Application” to “Scope and Application of Document” (the NEC).

Even though Section 90.1 currently provides the scope of Article 90, the code panel felt that a scope of the entire “document” (NEC) is also needed.

Section 2.1.4.4 of the NEC^® Style Manual applies to NEC^® “articles” and states that “each article shall have a scope, which shall be the first section of the article”.

Section 2.1.1 of the NEC^® Style Manual applies to the overall document (the NEC) and states that “the Introduction shall contain the scope, purpose, and administrative provisions”.

In the 2026 NEC^®, section 90.2 was reworded to make it clear that this section provides the Scope and Application of the “Document” (the NEC) which is different than Section 90.1 (titled “Scope”) which only provides the scope of Article 90.

Additionally, a public input was accepted to delete Section 90.2(F) which provided language on the use of “Special Permission”. The substantiation for the public input was based on the fact that section 90.4(C) (below) already provides this allowance therefore it does not need repeating elsewhere.

90.4(C) Specific Requirements and Alternative Methods. By special permission, the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2026 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.

2023 Code Language:

90.2 Use and Application.

90.2(F) Special Permission. The authority having jurisdiction for enforcing this Code may grant exception for the installation of conductors and equipment that are not under the exclusive control of the electric utilities and are used to connect the electric utility supply system to the service conductors of the premises served, provided such installations are outside a building or structure, or terminate inside at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.

2026 Code Language:

90.2 Scope and Application of Document.

90.2(F) Special Permission (Deleted).