(a) 
No permit for work required by this code shall be issued to any contractor or other person unless such contractor or person is registered with the building official of the city in accordance with the following provisions:
(b) 
Exceptions:
(1) 
No registration shall be required for a homeowner seeking a permit to perform authorized work on his/her existing primary personal residence (homestead), provided that the homeowner and/or a family member personally performs the work and no such person holds himself out as providing contracting services for the public. Any such homeowner seeking to construct his own home, including the installation and setup of any moved building or manufactured home, shall be required to be registered as a contractor.
(2) 
No registration shall be required for a building owner seeking a permit to perform authorized work on rental residential property owned by him, or on business property owned and occupied by him, provided that he personally performs the work and does not hold himself out as performing contracting services for the public.
(3) 
No registration shall be required for full-time building maintenance personnel seeking a permit to perform authorized work on a commercial building owned and occupied by persons employed by the same company or organization, provided that they do not hold themselves out as performing contracting services for the public.
(4) 
The building official may require any proof deemed necessary to verify ownership and occupancy for the purposes of Subsections (1) and (2) above, and may require the applicant's execution of an affidavit attesting to any fact that cannot otherwise be verified, including a sworn statement that the project will not be subcontracted to other parties.
(5) 
The above exceptions shall not be construed as authorizing work for which a license is otherwise required by applicable state law.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-29; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
Application for registration as a contractor shall be made upon forms provided by the building official. All data requested shall be provided. In addition to a completed application form, proof of insurance and/or bonding, as specified below, shall be provided at the time of application, as well as all required registration fees.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-30; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
Except as may otherwise be provided in this article, any person, firm or corporation seeking registration as a contractor in order to obtain permits required by this code shall file with the building official a good and sufficient bond in the amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) issued by a surety company authorized to do business in the state. Such bond shall contain language approved by the city attorney for its intended purpose, and shall be conditioned upon compliance with all provisions of the building code, and all other applicable ordinances and regulations of the city by the principal, his agents and employees. All sureties on said bond shall be liable for breach thereof to the city, to the owner of the property upon which work is performed, to any person, firm or corporation with whom the principal has contracted either orally or in writing to perform building construction, alteration, repair or other work, and to any person who may be damaged or injured by the principal's failure to comply with the regulations, ordinances and building code of the city. A claim upon said bond may be made by any person damaged by reason of the principal's failure to perform his obligations under the ordinances, building code and regulations of the city. Suspension or revocation of any license or permit shall not limit the liability of either the principal or the surety on any such bond.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-31; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2012-O0055, sec. 2, adopted 6/7/2012; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
Any person, firm or corporation seeking to obtain permits required by this code shall have in force a comprehensive general liability insurance policy in a minimum amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per occurrence, and including coverage for bodily injury and property damage with products liability and completed operations coverage. Prior to approval of any permits, the applicant shall furnish the building official with a certificate of insurance evidencing the required insurance coverage. The certificate shall include the company name and DBA, if applicable, and shall clearly indicate the nature of the work for which permits are sought. The insurance coverage shall include a provision that in the event such coverage is cancelled or reduced, the insurance carrier shall notify the building official at least ten (10) days prior to such cancellation or reduction in coverage. Any active permit shall be automatically suspended during any period in which the applicant fails to maintain in effect the required insurance coverage.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-32; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
The building official may deny, suspend, or revoke a contractor registration under the following conditions:
(1) 
Failure to accurately complete the application form;
(2) 
Failure to obtain and keep in effect required insurance or bonds;
(3) 
Failure to pay required fees;
(4) 
Receipt of a notice of insufficient funds for checks made payable to the City of Lubbock for registration or permit fees;
(5) 
Providing false information on any application;
(6) 
Failure to maintain and keep in effect any license, registration, or certification required by the state in order to legally pursue the applicable construction trade, or violation of applicable state licensing laws;
(7) 
Refusal to correct violations of this code after notice;
(8) 
Continuous or repeated violations of the city Code of Ordinances or applicable state or federal laws;
(9) 
Gross technical incompetence, as evidenced by work quality not meeting applicable codes or accepted industry standards, that could reasonably be determined to constitute a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of any person;
(10) 
Illegal behavior towards a government employee during the discharge of his or her official duties;
(11) 
For purposes of Subsection (9) above, an acceptable guideline for determining "accepted industry standards" shall include the specifications recommended by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and/or the performance standards promulgated by the Texas Residential Construction Commission;
(12) 
With regard to Subsections (6)—(10) above, the registered contractor shall be responsible for the actions of all subcontractors or tradesmen performing work under the scope of the contractor's permit.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-33; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
(a) 
Registrations shall expire December 31st of each year and must be renewed annually in order to obtain permits or to continue work pursuant to active permits.
(b) 
Failure to keep proper bonds or insurance in force will result in automatic termination of registration and will invalidate any active permits. In order to reinstate registration and any active permits, all fees, including registration and permit fees, must again be paid as for an initial application.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-35; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2011-O0042, sec. 1, adopted 5/31/2011; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
Registration for the year is valid from January 1st through December 31st and must be renewed annually. Annual renewal fee is for select contractor types, as allowed by state law. Fees may be adjusted by the city council periodically in accordance with section 1.03.004 of this Code of Ordinances.
(1983 Code, sec. 6-36; Ordinance 2005-O0140, sec. 1, adopted 12/15/2005; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)
The building owner and any contractor performing work governed by the technical codes are jointly responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Where a contractor is employed by the owner to perform said work, the contractor must be registered in accordance with section 28.04.001 of this article, and must obtain all required permits. Where a contractor is otherwise required to be licensed by the state to practice in his/her respective area, and the statutes governing that licensee prohibit the city from requiring that the licensee obtain a registration, permit, or other approval from the city in connection with their practice, then the property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance of the work with the provisions of this chapter, including any requirement to submit construction documents and obtain permits or inspection approvals. The term "property owner" includes authorized representatives of the owner, such as full-time maintenance personnel, property management agents, and employees working in a supervisory capacity with responsibility for the premises.
(Ordinance 2010-O0017, sec. 2, adopted 3/4/2010; Ordinance 2024-O0034 adopted 3/26/2024)