i dunno if it is code compliant or not. but if you cna remove the soffit why not dril UP thru the top plate? i have done this before myself back in my alarm installing days.

My first thought was DUH, why didn't I think of that, then I went out and looked. There is a 2x4 nailer supporting the soffit which runs parallel to the top plate a few inches down. This nailer and some other blocking are in the way preventing a good angle for upward drilling, and I need a large hole for multiple romex. I could cut out a section of blocking pry it off and put it up later, but that would be a PITA.

If the over the top and back in the side method described in my original post is compliant, I will go with that as it would be MUCH easier. Anybody know if that would pass?

Our inspectors are impossible to get in touch with. I call the office and just MAYBE someone returns the call within a week or so. And these southern gentlemen can't fathom a woman doing electrical work and actually ask to talk to my husband, who hasn't a clue about such things.

I'm trying to get everything up to code and then I will apply for retroactive permit for previous work.

then I will apply for retroactive permit for previous work

never heard of a retro permit. it is near abotu impossible for them to retro inspect things when walls are sealed up. they have no way of knowing if/how many junctions and violations are behidn the drywall.

my parents built a sunroom back in '91. the electrical inspector was out on Monday and saw 50% of teh wiring. he said he would be back on Wednesday for final rough in inspection. when he showed up teh contractor had coverd up teh walls tha the had seen on Monday. he made them rip it all down just so he could be 100% sure nothing had changed. like i said, the area covered was done when he saw it, other than teh covers on teh boxes.

They issue retro permits here, they just double the fee. They figure better late than never. This is mostly outside work, repairs to work done wrong by the previous owner. There are no new walls involved, so nothing is covered up, the new wires above are the only ones inside walls and they are snaked through already finished walls.

Did you ever get a solid answer on this? We have engineered trusses, and in one location I really must go through the truss or bypass it in the soffit.