Can a city adopt a policy that requires all residences to be wired in nothing smaller than 12 AWG?

Yes, a city can adopt a policy requiring all residences to be wired with no smaller than 12 AWG (American Wire Gauge) for specific applications, particularly for electrical safety and efficiency. Such regulations would typically be part of the local building codes and would need to be justified based on safety standards and electrical load requirements. However, the policy must comply with state and federal regulations and may be subject to public input and review before implementation.