(a) On or after October 16, 2006, no person shall engage in the City in any act as a contractor, subcontractor or handyman, as defined in this article, unless such person holds a license issued under the provisions of this article. No firm, partnership, corporation, association or other entity shall engage in contracting in the City unless an officer thereof holds a license issued pursuant to this article. (Ord. 2006-18. Passed 10-16-06.)
(1) Application. Application for a contractor’s or handyman’s license shall be made to the Building Official and shall state in which building trade specialty or specialties the applicant seeks a license. Where the applicant is a firm or corporation, such applicant shall state in writing the name of the person who will submit qualifications. In case such person thereafter severs his connection with the firm or corporation and no other member of such firm or corporation has qualified as required by this section, the license granted to such firm or corporation shall no longer be in force, and such firm or corporation shall be required to make application for a license in the same manner as before.
(2) Forms. Every applicant for a contractor or handyman’s license shall complete application forms supplied by the Building Official.
(3) Registration fee. Effective July 1, 2005:
A. Registration fee for a building contractor shall be $90.00 each year and shall expire June 30 of each year.
B. Registration fee for handyman shall be $50.00 each year and shall expire June 30 of each year.
(Ord. 2004-14. Passed 8-2-04.)
(4) Validity; Transferability. A building contractor's license and handyman's license shall be valid, and have force for a period of one year beginning July 1 of each year. A contractor or handyman may not be issued a building permit unless his license has been duly renewed, and he has paid the registration fee. A contractor or handyman shall re-register if he allows his license to lapse for one full year. No license issued hereunder shall be transferable.
(Ord. 91-04. Passed 3-18-91; Ord. 2004-14. Passed 8-2-04.)
(b) Any person to whom a license has been issued under this article or Section 753.39 shall keep the license or a copy thereof posted in a conspicuous position at every site where work is being done or posted in the window of the vehicle used in support of said activity. The license number shall be included in all advertisements and all fully executed and binding contracts. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to a warning or a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00).
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this article, the following are exempt from licensure:
(1) Work done exclusively by employees of the United States Government, the State of West Virginia, a county, the City of St. Albans, and any governmental subdivision or agency thereof;
(2) The sale or installation of a finished product, material or article or merchandise which is not actually fabricated into and does not become a permanent fixed part of the structure;
(3) A material supplier who renders advice concerning use of products sold and who does not provide construction or installation services;
(4) Work performed by a public utility company regulated by the West Virginia Public Service Commission and its employees;
(5) Work performed by an employer’s regular employees, for which the employees are paid regular wages and not a contract price, on business property owned or leased by the employer.
(Ord. 2004-14. Passed 8-2-04.)