Contractor.
Any person who installs, maintains, erects, constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, improves, removes, converts or demolishes any building or structure within the city. “Contractor” shall also mean any master electrical contractor, state-licensed mechanical contractor, state-licensed plumbing contractor, general contractor, state-licensed lawn sprinkler contractor, house mover, state-licensed fire sprinkler contractor, fire suppression contractor or septic system installer, etc.
Person.
Any individual, firm or corporation.
(1991 Code, sec. 3.1401)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, maintain, erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building or structure in the city or cause the same to be done unless such person is the holder of a valid registration with said city to perform such work in extending the rights and privileges of such registration. The city makes no statement of the technical competency of those so registered and no manner of license is proffered.
(b) 
No contractor shall for any purpose allow his registration, by name or identification, to be transferred or assigned to or in any manner directly or indirectly used by any person other than the one to whom the registration is issued.
(c) 
Fees.
Provided for in the fee schedule in chapter 1, article 1.50 of this code, shall be charged for the initial registration and annual renewal for as long as the license is kept valid.
(d) 
Exemption for homeowner.
No registration shall be required under this article for any work performed for an improvement on property owned by him as his homestead. Nothing contained herein shall relieve such individual from the permitting requirements of other city ordinances.
(1991 Code, sec. 3.1402)
(a) 
An applicant for registration under this article shall provide the city with the following information:
(1) 
The complete name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person.
(2) 
The name and private address of a principal of the firm or corporation who is an individual authorized to bind the firm or corporation in legal agreements.
(3) 
A five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) bond or a certificate of insurance that meets the requirements as set forth in subsection (d) below.
(4) 
Other pertinent information that may be necessary/required by the building official.
(b) 
If any information previously supplied in an application for registration becomes invalid for any reason, the contractor shall, within ten (10) days thereof, contact the office of the building official to ensure the accurate revision of the registration information, including any change of address or telephone number. Providing false, misleading or inaccurate information when applying for registration or failing to revise information when applying for registration or failing to revise inaccurate information within ten (10) days shall constitute an offense under this article.
(c) 
Registration shall expire annually and shall be routinely renewed by payment of a renewal fee if the application information remains accurate. A registration may be renewed without penalty within sixty (60) days following the date of expiration. A penalty fee, provided for in the fee schedule in chapter 1, article 1.50 of this code, is required after a sixty-day period.
(d) 
Insurance required.
Every contractor shall either present a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state or a bond as provided in subsection (a)(3) above. The insurance certificate must provide for commercial general liability insurance for the contractor for claims for property damage or bodily injury, regardless of whether the claim arises from a negligence claim or a contract claim. The insurance must be in a coverage amount of not less than $300,000.00 for all claims arising in a one-year period.
(1991 Code, sec. 3.1403)
(a) 
The building board of appeals shall have the authority to suspend any registration issued under this article for any of the following acts by the contractor:
(1) 
Conviction of the practice of any fraud or deceit in securing a registration or a permit, or transferring or assigning a registration in violation of this article.
(2) 
Convictions in municipal court of two (2) violations of any of the provisions of this article committed within a period of twelve (12) consecutive months; provided, however, that remedy of the violation within twenty (20) days of a stop order shall cause the waiver of any conviction for the original violation for the purpose of this subsection.
(3) 
Accumulation of two (2) decisions of the board to suspend registration.
(4) 
Accumulation within a period of twelve (12) months of two (2) forfeitures of appeals of stop orders issued under UBC, section 202(d) by continued work after the issuance of said stop orders.
(5) 
Cancellation or failure to renew insurance coverage.
Such revocation of registration by the board shall be full and final cancellation of such registration and shall be effective on the date of the board’s decision. No person whose registration is revoked by the board shall be allowed in the future to be registered again in the city.
(b) 
Suspension or revocation hearing.
In considering charges under this article regarding suspension or revocation of a registration, the building board of appeals shall proceed upon sworn information furnished it by any person. Such information shall be in writing and shall be duly verified by the person familiar with the allegations made. The board shall make an order setting the matter for hearing at a specified time and place, and the secretary of the board shall cause a copy of the board’s order and of the sworn information to be served upon the contractor by registered mail at least fifteen (15) days before the date set for the hearing. The contractor may appear in person or by counsel at the time and place named in the order and present his defense to the board. The city attorney shall provide counsel for the board. If the contractor fails or refuses to appear, the board may proceed to hear and determine the charge in his absence. If he pleads guilty or if, upon a hearing, the board finds any of the charges to be true, it may enter an order suspending or revoking the certificate of registration. Failure to properly perfect an appeal in a court of competent jurisdiction within ten (10) days of receipt of the board’s decision shall render the board’s decision final. Suspension or revocation of a registration resulting from a decision of the board shall preclude the contractor from securing a permit for work controlled by that registration in the city or from becoming so registered under any different identification as long as the suspension or revocation is in effect.
(1991 Code, sec. 3.1404)
The appellate procedure shall be as follows:
(1) 
The appeal shall be filed with the building official in writing within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision of order appealed from. Such appeal shall refer to the specific decision or order appealed from and shall clearly state the appellant’s ground for appeal.
(2) 
Such appeals shall be placed on the agenda of the board for hearing. The board shall notify all necessary parties of the date and location of the hearing. Parties may appear before the board in person, by agents or by attorney. The board may require such additional data, tests or expert professionals that it deems necessary for adequate decision of the appeal.
(3) 
When an appeal has been filed by a tenant, the tenant shall provide written authorization to the building official from the landlord or property owner to proceed with the appeal.
(4) 
The appellant shall be required to pay a nonrefundable fee provided for in the fee schedule in chapter 1, article 1.50 of this code, per appeal at the time that the appeal application is submitted to the building official.
(5) 
The building official shall transmit to the board all records and data in their possession which are relevant to the appeal.
(6) 
All orders or decisions made pursuant to this code which are appealed from shall be stayed pending the final decision of the board. However, if the building official certifies to the board that by staying such order or decision a hazardous situation to life or property would exist, then such order or decision shall remain in full effect pending the final decision of the board.
(7) 
The building official shall enforce and execute all decisions and orders of the board.
(8) 
Any party aggrieved by a decision or order of the board of appeals shall have five (5) days to file a motion for rehearing setting out specific grounds therefor. A motion for rehearing must be filed as a prerequisite to appeal. The board shall give notice to all parties and act upon such motion for rehearing at the earliest practical date, in no event longer than thirty (30) days from filing.
(9) 
A party aggrieved by the action of the board on the motion for rehearing may appeal to any district court of the county by filing suit within thirty (30) days from the date the board takes final action on the motion for rehearing. The case before the district court shall be tried under the “substantial evidence rule” and not under the “trial de novo rule.”
(1991 Code, sec. 3.1405)