What is NOT a characteristic of permissive requirements in the NEC?

In the context of the National Electrical Code (NEC), permissive requirements are designed to provide certain allowances rather than mandates. Therefore, the characteristic that aligns with permissive requirements is that they "may be applied," indicating a degree of flexibility.

The phrase "shall be permitted" conveys that a practice is explicitly allowed, which fits within permissive guidelines, while “must comply” indicates a mandatory requirement, which is not characteristic of permissive provisions. Permissive requirements emphasize options and flexibility, allowing for a range of choices as long as they meet safety and performance standards, hence directly supporting the understanding that this option conveys a more rigid requirement than is inherent in permissive language.