(A) Building or repair contractors. A person, firm or corporation shall not erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve or convert any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a permit for the building or structure where the work is $1,001or more. Application for a building permit shall be made to the Building Inspections Department. Work requiring a building permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or his or her agent shall have posted the building permit card in a conspicuous place on the front of the premises. The permit shall be protected from the weather and in such position as to permit the Building Inspection Department to conveniently make the required entries thereon. This permit card shall be maintained in such position by the permit holder until the certificate of approval is issued by the Building Inspection Department.
(B) Gas contractors. A permit shall be required for the new installation or replacement and additions of piping to gas outlets, conversion burners, floor furnaces, incinerators, boilers, control heating or air conditioning units, vented wall furnaces, heaters, circulators and all other gas appliances where the cost is $1001 or more.
(C) Plumbing contractors. A plumbing permit shall be required for new water and sewer lines, drainage, vent piping, vacuum breakers or backflow protective devices, grease traps, installations of new fixtures, cesspools, septic tanks and seepage pits or drainfield, water heaters and repair or replacement of water, sewer and drain lines or vents where the cost of the work is $1,001 or more.
(D) Electrical contractors. An electrical permit shall be required for installation of new services or the extension, repair or replacement of existing service equipment and existing premises wiring systems where the cost is $1,001 or more.
(E) HVAC contractors. A permit shall be required for the new installation or replacement and additions to HVAC systems where the cost is $1,001 or more.
(F) Contractors; license prerequisite to engaging in business, exceptions. No person shall engage in the business of building (to include repairs) in the town unless licensed under the provisions of this subchapter, except as provided herein. The person applying for a business license must be certified in 1 of the following ways:
(1) If the cost of the improvements, repairs or new construction exceeds $5,000, the person must be certified by the Residential Builders Commission or as a general contractor by the State Contractors’ Licensing Board.
(2) If the cost of the improvements or repairs is less that $5,000, the person must be registered as a specialty contractor by the State Residential Builders Commission.
(3) Applicants seeking to do business must present proof of the state certification or registration at the time of application.
(4) An unlicensed general contractor that has been performing as a general contractor in Newberry County for a period of not less than 10 years may continue to perform as a general contractor if a licensed general contractor in good standing certifies in writing on a form to be provided by the County that the contractor is qualified and has been performing as a general contractor for a minimum of 10 years in Newberry County. The requirements of the International Building Code and all amendments thereto shall apply to the work performed by such unlicensed contractor following the effective date of this subchapter.
(G) Gas. No person shall engage in the business or practice of gas contracting or service work in the town unless licensed as a gas contractor under the provisions of this subchapter. The person applying for a gas license from the town must be licensed and certified by the state.
(H) Plumbers; license prerequisite to engage in business. No person shall engage in the business or practice of a plumbing contractor in the town unless licensed as a plumber under the provisions of this subchapter. The person applying for the plumbing license must be licensed and certified by the state.
(I) Electricians; license prerequisite to engage in business. No person shall engage in the business or practice of electrical contracting or wiring in the town unless licensed as an electrician under the provisions of this subchapter.
(J) HVAC; license prerequisite to engaging in business. No person shall engage in the business or practice of HVAC Contracting in the town unless licensed as a licensed HVAC Contractor under the provisions of this subchapter.
(Ord. passed 3-18-2003)