(a)
The
office of building official is hereby created and the executive official
in charge shall be known as the building official.
(b)
The
building official shall be appointed by the city manager.
(c)
During
the temporary absence or disability of the building official the appointing
authority shall designate an acting building official.
(1973 Code, sec. 8-18; 1991 Code,
sec. 9-1; 2007 Code, sec. 12-1)
It shall be the duty of the building official to enforce all
laws relating to the construction, alteration, removal and demolition
of buildings and structures.
(1973 Code, sec. 8-19; 1991 Code,
sec. 9-2; 2007 Code, sec. 12-2)
The building official, in the discharge of his official duties,
and upon proper identification, shall have authority to enter any
building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour.
(1973 Code, sec. 8-20; 1991 Code,
sec. 9-3; 2007 Code, sec. 12-3)
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen
the responsibility of any person installing, operating or controlling
any building materials or apparatus for damages to anyone thereby,
or for full and faithful performance of the contract; nor shall the
city be held as assuming any liability by reason of the inspection
authorized herein or a certificate or permit issued pursuant to the
provisions of this chapter.
(1973 Code, sec. 10-1; 1991 Code,
sec. 9-76; 2007 Code, sec. 12-4)
(a)
Contractor defined.
Contractor means any person, firm,
partnership, corporation or other entity engaged in, undertaking,
or carrying on any business consisting of or that requires the construction,
demolition, repair, or renovation of any building or structure, including
any fixtures attached thereto, that requires a permit from the city.
(b)
Registration required; application.
It shall be the
duty of every contractor, including a builder or subcontractor, who
shall make a contract for the installation, repair, or alteration
of any building, structure, or system within the city for which a
permit is required, or who applies for a city permit to install, repair,
or alter any such building, structure or system, to apply for registration
to work in the city. Application must be made to the building official.
All contractors applying for registration must provide the following
documentation:
(1)
Current state license (if applicable);
(2)
Valid Texas driver’s license or other government-issued identification;
(3)
Copy of current workmen’s compensation insurance per state
regulation; and
(4)
Proof of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage with
limits of not less than $250,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury
and $100,000.00 per occurrence for property damage. A company duly
authorized to write insurance in the state shall issue all such insurance.
(c)
Fee.
A fee shall be paid at the time of registration,
and annually for renewal of registration with the city. The buildings
and building regulations fee schedule outlines the cost of a contractor’s
registration fee.
(d)
Duration.
All registrations issued under this section
shall expire on December 31st of the year the registration was issued.
(e)
Registration card.
Upon completion of registration review
and payment of the annual registration fee, the contractor shall be
issued an identification card with identification number verifying
registration to work in the city.
(f)
Exemptions.
(1)
A person registered through the city under another section of this
code pertaining to licensed trades.
(2)
A person employed by the county to perform new construction or renovation
work on a county-owned building or facility if the work is inspected
by a registered professional engineer or architect licensed by the
state.
(3)
A person working on a building owned and occupied by the person as
the person’s homestead.
(g)
Suspension or revocation of license.
(1)
Any contractor’s license may be revoked or suspended by the
city manager for any of the following actions by the contractor:
(2)
Prior to the revocation of a contractor’s license, the city
manager shall give written notice thereof to the contractor specifying
the violation with which the contractor is charged and a date, time
and place at which a hearing before the city manager shall be held
with regard to the violation. A contractor may appeal in writing the
city manager’s decision to the city council.
(h)
Prohibitions.
(1)
A person commits an offense if the person engages in any activity
that requires a permit from the city, including the construction,
demolition, repair, or renovation of any building or structure, for
compensation, without first having registered as a contractor with
the city.
(2)
A person commits an offense if the person performs for compensation
without permit and/or registration.
(Ordinance 19-846, sec. 1, adopted 6/13/19; 2007 Code, sec. 12-5; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
