(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:
(A) 
Repeated and continuing violations of this section or of any of the technical codes adopted under this chapter;
(B) 
Making untrue statements in obtaining a license or permit;
(C) 
Evidence obtained after issuance of the license that such contractor is doing business in an unlawful manner.
(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)