(a) Notwithstanding an applicant's compliance with Section 1317.04, no contractors shall be issued a registration certificate, nor shall such registration be renewed, if the Building Commissioner is in possession of evidence that the applicant lacks fitness to perform the work. In any determination as to fitness to perform the work of an applicant, the Building Commissioner shall consider the applicant's record of violations of the Building Code, of other laws or ordinances regulating building construction in the City, the causes listed in Section 1317.06(a) and evidence of similar violations in other communities. Evidence of dishonest construction practices or malpractice in the conduct of a business, trade or profession, shall also be considered as evidence of a lack of fitness to perform the work. Upon receipt and review of such evidence, the Building Commissioner may determine that it is in the public interest that such applicant not be issued a certificate of registration or that same not be renewed and thereby refuse or revoke authority to engage in work or practice a trade in this City. The Building Commissioner's determination shall be subject to appeal to the Building and Zoning Board of Appeals and governed by the procedure set forth in Section 1317.04 and otherwise by law.
(b) The possession of a valid state license under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4740 shall be presumptive evidence of fitness to perform the work. Any such evidence as noted in Section 1317.05(a) may be referred to the state licensing authority and may provide good cause for the State to revoke or to refuse renewal of such license and may thereby prohibit renewal of local registration. (Ord. 2018-54. Passed 6-19-18.)