Why is Romex illegal in Chicago, Romex NM cable is effectively illegal in Chicago because Chicago Electrical Code requires metal conduit or armored cable for all residential wiring, prohibiting NM Romex due to fire safety concerns and historical regulations, with Chicago having strict electrical code requiring EMT conduit or AC/BX cable in all buildings. Reason why Romex illegal in Chicago is Chicago has had strict fire safety codes after Great Chicago Fire of 1871, with city requiring metal conduit to contain fires, prevent rodent damage, and provide grounding, with Chicago code mandating all wiring be in metal conduit or armored, as conduit provides better protection against physical damage, fire, and rodents, and makes rewiring easier, with Chicago being known for requiring conduit even in residential, which is more expensive but considered safer. So Romex illegal in Chicago because Chicago Electrical Code does not allow NM cable, requires EMT conduit with THHN wires or AC/MC cable, with exception maybe for temporary wiring, but generally NM not permitted in Chicago, with electricians in Chicago always using conduit, with reason being fire safety, durability, and local code tradition, with Chicago being only major city with such strict conduit requirement for all residential, making Romex illegal there while allowed in most other places.
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