(a) Registration required. A new home builder or a new home seller must not engage, or offer to engage, in the business of constructing, selling, or advertising a new home for sale or act in the capacity of a building contractor in the County unless the builder or seller are first registered by the Office.
(b) Application. Each application for registration must be on a form the Director requires and:
(1) provide information as to character, references, experience, education, and training in or related to erecting, constructing, or otherwise creating a new home or selling a new home;
(2) require that the applicant agree to provide the warranty required in Section 31C-8; and
(3) include any additional information required by regulation.
(c) Fees.
(1) Each application must be accompanied by an application fee.
(2) Any application fee paid is not refundable.
(d) Board recommendation. Within 60 days after receiving a completed registration application, the Board must recommend to the Director whether:
(1) the applicant is qualified to comply with the building code and laws of the County and State, and to fully perform new home building and new home sales contracts; and
(2) the applicant should be registered or receive a conditional registration that stipulates specific requirements to which the applicant must comply before the applicant’s registration can be fully recommended to the Director.
(e) Director decision.
(1) Within 75 days after receiving a completed application, the Director must notify the applicant of the Board’s recommendation and the Director’s final action regarding registration, conditional registration, or denial of registration. If the Director fails to notify the applicant within 75 days of submission, the application is deemed approved.
(2) If the applicant is denied registration approval, the Director must send the applicant written notification of the denial and the reasons for the denial.
(3) The Director must not approve a registration for a builder or seller who has or had any legal interest in a previously licensed firm who has or had a license or registration revoked or suspended for any reason listed in Section 31C-9.
(f) Expiration of license. Unless renewed under the procedures in Section 31C-6, a registration expires on the second anniversary of its effective date. Once a registration expires, it cannot be renewed. The former registrant must submit a new application for registration.
(g) Amendment. A new home builder or a new home seller must amend the registration within 30 days of any material change in the information provided in the most recent application or amendment. (2019 L.M.C., ch. 1, §1; 2019 L.M.C., ch. 23, §1.)