A. Contractor License Required: It shall be unlawful for any person to participate in any form of "construction contracting" within the City unless that person is either:
1. Licensed in the particular contracting category under the provisions of this chapter for the work being performed;
2. Performing construction contracting solely for work that is entirely exempt from all building, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical permits; or,
3. Exempt from contractor licensing as otherwise provided in subsection B of this section, or a non-compensated volunteer laborer while overseen by someone otherwise authorized to perform construction contracting pursuant to this chapter.
"Construction contracting" as used herein shall include the: demolishing; erecting; constructing; assembling; enlarging; altering; moving; removing; repairing; improving; converting; and performing work on electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems; of or on any building, structure or device in a manner regulated by the adopted Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, or Electrical Codes. Activities specifically excluded from construction contracting include, but are not limited to: carpeting, decorating, installing flooring, painting, tiling, and wallpapering.
Furthermore, it shall be illegal to solicit construction contracting work or claim to be licensed or otherwise authorized to perform construction contracting work within the City without holding a contractor's license pursuant to this chapter for the applicable category of work that is advertised.
B. Licensing Exemptions: The following exemptions to the above contractor licensing requirement are provided. These exemptions do not absolve a person from obtaining necessary permits and inspections, or from completing the work in accordance with adopted codes. Persons claiming such an exemption shall submit documentation for such to the building official and complete any applicable affidavits as noted herein.
1. Owner-Occupied Property Owner Exemption: A property owner who is not a licensed contractor may be issued permits to perform work that would otherwise require them to hold a contractor's license, if one of the following scenarios applies, and they otherwise meet the requirements herein:
a. The structure, building, or device falls within the jurisdiction of the International Residential Code and the work will be performed by the property owner on the property where they currently reside.
b. The structure, building, or device falls within the jurisdiction of the International Residential Code, the work will be performed by the property owner, and the property owner intends to reside on the property once the work is completed.
c. The permit is for either installation or repair of a fence, or minor demolition work, and the work will be performed by the property owner. The building official shall determine whether any demolition is minor based on the specific characteristics of the demolition project and experience of the property owner performing the work.
The language indicating work is to be performed by the property owner does not preclude the property owner from hiring licensed contractors/subcontractors, or from having immediate family members of the property owner and non-compensated volunteers participate in the permitted work while overseen by the property owner or a contractor licensed for the work being performed.
The property owner, whether their ownership of the property is individual, joint, or part of a group (e.g., partnership or corporation), may be issued permits for the construction of no more than two (2) new dwelling units in any five-year period. The property owner requesting a permit for construction of a new dwelling unit shall sign a sworn affidavit indicating their intent to reside on the property for at least one year after the certificate of occupancy is issued. If a person fails to meet the one-year minimum occupancy requirement, they shall not be entitled to further utilize this exemption to construct a dwelling unit.
For work on existing dwellings subject to the International Residential Code, there shall be no limit on the number of building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits a property owner may receive to perform work on their own property where they reside.
2. Residential Property Owner Exemption: A property owner that does not reside on their property may be issued permits to perform work on an existing dwelling or an accessory structure on their property without possessing a contractor's license, subject to the limitations specified herein. This exemption does not authorize creation of a new dwelling unit.
The dwelling or structure must fall within the jurisdiction of the International Residential Code. A permit shall be issued to the property owner for any type of work on the existing dwelling except: electrical work; plumbing work; and heating, ventilation, and A/C (HVAC) work. Provided, if the property owner can demonstrate relevant experience and knowledge to safely perform work in any of those areas, the building official may issue a permit to the property owner for the work, or part thereof, for which the property owner has relevant experience and knowledge. In no case shall the building official issue a permit pursuant to this exemption for installation of an electrical service or startup of a new HVAC system, unless the property owner has a contractor's license for such.
3. Property Owner Construction Management Exemption: A property owner may perform the construction management aspect of overseeing construction activities on their commercial or residential property, subject to the conditions and limitations of this section, and be issued the building permit for such project. In such cases, a general contractor is not required. Where a property owner is issued a building permit as a construction manager, it does not authorize them to perform any construction work requiring a contractor's license. All construction and demolition work on the project shall be performed by licensed contractors/subcontractors, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
4. City Inspector Exemption: Construction work for the City may be performed by the City building inspectors when they hold an International Code Council (ICC) certificate or Wyoming contractor license for the type of work performed.
C. Contractor Licensing Categories: Licenses for construction contracting are categorized and defined as follows. A license authorizes the company or person(s) holding the license to perform work within the trade(s) identified for that license, to the extent specified herein. Provided, each contractor is responsible to ensure that they do not accept or perform work that is clearly beyond their level of proficiency and skill - doing so is grounds for suspension and revocation of their license, as may be determined by the Contractor Licensing Board.
1. General Contractor: This category authorizes the construction of all components of commercial and residential structures, except those components requiring an electrical license, plumbing license, or mechanical/HVAC license. A general contractor is also authorized to manage all work on the permitted project.
Persons requesting a general contractor license after adoption of this section shall show that they have passed the International Code Council (ICC) National Standard Exam for Class A Commercial or Class B Commercial and Residential contracting (or equivalent), and have at least sixty (60) months of experience as a general contractor, journeyman carpenter, architect, engineer or similar work that demonstrates the skills and proficiency needed to act in the capacity of a general contractor.
2. General Contractor - IRC: This category authorizes the construction of all components of a residential structure that is subject to the International Residential Code (e.g., single-family dwellings, duplexes, and townhouses), except those components requiring an electrical license, plumbing license, or mechanical/HVAC license. An IRC general contractor is also authorized to manage all work on the permitted project.
Persons requesting a "general contractor - IRC" license shall show that they have passed the ICC Class C Residential Contractor Exam (or equivalent) and have at least twenty four (24) months of experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills and proficiency needed to perform work of this nature.
3. Master Electrical Contractor: This category authorizes electricians licensed by the State of Wyoming as master electricians to perform electrical work regulated by the National Electric Code within the City of Cody. Their employees that perform electrical work must also be registered with the State of Wyoming. Persons requesting to be licensed by the City as an electrical contractor must provide a copy of their current Wyoming master electrician license and electrical contractor's license (card) issued by the State of Wyoming.
4. Master Plumbing Contractor: This category authorizes plumbing work (including fuel gas) within all types of buildings and structures.
Persons requesting a master plumbing contractor license shall show that they have passed the ICC "Master Plumber With Fuel Gas" Exam (or equivalent) and have at least forty eight (48) months of experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills and proficiency needed to perform work of this nature.
5. Plumbing Contractor - IRC: This category authorizes all plumbing work within buildings and structures regulated by the International Residential Code (IRC).
Persons requesting a "plumbing contractor - IRC" license shall show that they have passed the ICC "F26 National Standard Residential Plumber" Exam (or equivalent) and have at least twelve (12) months of experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and proficiency needed to perform work of this nature; or, have at least thirty six (36) months of experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills and proficiency necessary to perform work of this nature.
6. Master Mechanical/HVAC Contractor: This category authorizes mechanical/HVAC work within all types of buildings and structures.
Persons requesting a master mechanical/HVAC contractor license shall show that they have passed the ICC "Master Mechanical" Exam (or equivalent) and have at least twenty four (24) months of experience that demonstrate the skills and proficiency needed to perform work of this nature; or, have at least forty eight (48) months of experience that demonstrate the knowledge, skills and proficiency necessary to perform work of this nature.
7. Mechanical/HVAC Contractor - IRC: This category authorizes all mechanical/HVAC work within buildings and structures regulated by the International Residential Code (IRC).
Persons requesting a "mechanical/HVAC contractor - IRC" license shall show that they have passed the ICC "F32 National Standard Residential Mechanical" Exam (or equivalent) and have at least twelve (12) months of experience that demonstrates the skills and proficiency needed to perform work of this nature; or, have at least thirty six (36) months of experience that demonstrate the skills and proficiency necessary to perform work of this nature.
8. Specialty Contractor: This category authorizes the person to work in one or more of the following trades, on any type of building or structure. Work only in those trades for which the person applies and meets the minimum experience therefor is authorized. The minimum experience need not be provided if the person has passed an ICC or equivalent professional exam for the trade and otherwise demonstrates the applicable knowledge, skills and proficiency to the Contractor Licensing Board.
Trade | Minimum Experience |
Trade | Minimum Experience |
Asbestos abatement | 24 months |
Commercial fire suppression systems | 36 months |
Commercial railings | 24 months |
Conveyor systems | 36 months |
Demolition | 24 months |
Drywall | 24 months |
Elevator installation | 48 months |
Fencing | 6 months |
Framing | 48 months |
Ground stabilization/mud jacking | 24 months |
Insulation | 24 months |
Masonry | 48 months |
Refrigeration | 24 months |
Roofing | 24 months |
Sheet metal installation | 24 months |
Siding | 24 months |
Sign/awning installation | 24 months |
Steel fabrication/erection | 48 months |
Structural concrete | 48 months |
Stucco/plaster | 12 months |
Underground utilities (sewer, water, conduit) | 12 months |
Windows/glass glazing | 12 months |
9. Specialty Contractor - IRC: This category authorizes the person to work in any of the following specialty contractor activities when the work is conducted on a building or structure subject to the IRC. The minimum experience need not be provided if the person has passed an ICC or State of Wyoming exam for the trade, or if the building official or Contractor Licensing Board is otherwise satisfied that the person has the knowledge and training necessary to perform the work in a competent manner.
Trade | Minimum Experience |
Trade | Minimum Experience |
Demolition | 6 months |
Drywall | 6 months |
Fencing | 3 months |
Fire suppression systems | 6 months |
Framing | 12 months |
Insulation | 6 months |
Masonry | 6 months |
Roofing | 6 months |
Sheet metal installation | 6 months |
Siding | 6 months |
Structural concrete | 6 months |
Stucco/plaster | 6 months |
Windows/glass glazing | 6 months |
(Ord. 2019-03, 7-9-2019)