Chapter 4 · Buildings and Construction

Article 8. Electricians, Plumbers, Mechanical Contractors, And General Contractors Licenses

Sections 4-801 to 4-816 · 16 sections

4-801 License required.

No person or corporation shall engage in the practice of installing electrical wiring, fixtures, or appliances for the use of electrical current in the city or in the practice of plumbing, mechanical, or general contract work in the city without first having obtained a license to engage in any such practice and without giving the proof of surety as hereinafter provided for in this article unless exempt under section 4-802.

(Code 1973, 5-701; Code 1983; Ord. 1580, Sec. 1)

4-802 Persons exempt from license requirement.

Any bona fide owner of a single-family dwelling being exclusively used as his or her dwelling, including the usual accessory structures, shall be exempt from the contractor’s licensing requirements and may be granted a building permit to improve said structure provided he or she personally purchases and installs all materials used, and further provided, all work shall be inspected and approved by the City. Commercial and all rental properties are required to have a licensed contractor perform any work that requires an electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permit. In addition, any individual performing any specific work of a contractor nature which does not require a building, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical permit and has a total value of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or less shall not be required to obtain a contractor’s license for that specific job.

(Code 1973, 5-704; Ord. 1456; Code 1986; Ord. 1580, Sec. 3; Ord. 1687; Ord. 1973)

4-803 Contractor’s license; types and qualifications.

Any person or persons desiring to engage in the practice as a contractor or as a limited contractor as hereinafter defined, shall first make application to the City Clerk for the license(s) to engage in such practice(s).

(Code 1973, 5-705; Ord. 1433; Ord. 1456; Code 1986; Ord. 1580, Sec. 5; Ord. 1687, Sec. 2; Ord. 1899)

4-804 Contractor license; types and qualifications.

The contractor licenses and qualifications for each are as follows:

(a)General Contractor. Unlimited in scope of work. Requires college degree in Architecture, Construction Science or Engineering and proof of two (2) years on job experience and proof of minimum score of 75% on the International Code Council (ICC) standard exam.

(b)Building Contractor. Scope of work limited to construction of commercial buildings and single/multi family dwellings not exceeding three (3) stories in height and remodeling of all structures. Requires college degree in Construction Science or certification for a two (2) year program in the trade from an accredited community college, technical school or technical college with three (3) years documented field experience, or must have five (5) years documented experience in the trade, or proof of minimum score of 75% on the ICC standard exam. “Documented field experience” for a building contractor application requires written certification by the applicant that he has worked in the trade and been licensed for the same by this or another city for the applicable period of time.

(c)Plumbing Contractor or Gas Fitter. Unlimited on scope of plumbing work. Requires proof of Certification of Master Plumber or Journeyman Plumber or certification for a two (2) year program in the trade through an accredited community college, technical school, technical college, or proof of a minimum score of 75% on the ICC standard exam, the international association of plumbing and mechanical officials (IAPMO) standard exam or Prometric standard exam, or documented field experience of a minimum of three (3) years in the trade. “Documented field experience” for a plumbing contractor or gas fitter application requires written certification by a person with a master plumber’s license that the applicant worked under his or her direct supervision and is competent to work in this trade.

(d)Mechanical Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Contractor (HVAC). Unlimited in scope of mechanical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning work. Requires proof of certification of Master or Journeyman in heating, ventilation and air conditioning mechanics, or certification for a two (2) year program in the trade through an accredited community college, technical school, or technical college or a minimum score of 75% on the ICC, IAPMO or Prometric standard test, or documented field experience of a minimum of three (3) years in the trade. “Documented field experience “ for a HVAC application requires written certification by a person with a master VAC license that the applicant worked under his or her direct supervision and is competent to work in this trade.

(e)Electrical Contractor. Unlimited in scope of electrical work. Requires proof of certification of Master Electrician or Journeyman Electrician, or certification for a two (2) year program in the trade through an accredited community college, technical school or technical college or a minimum of 75% on the ICC, IAPMO or Prometric standard test, or documented field experience of a minimum of three (3) years in the trade. “Documented field experience” requires written certification by a person with a master electrician’s license that the applicant worked under his or her direct supervision and is competent to work in this trade.

(f)Roofing Contractor. Authorized to install, repair and replace residential and commercial roof coverings. Requires state registration number and copy of certificate issued by Attorney General’s Office.

Contractor qualifications stated above shall commence and be in full force and effective as of January 1, 2019, except that any person licensed as a contractor by the City of Russell prior to January 1, 1999, and continuously renewed thereafter, without lapse, shall not be required to provide proof of qualification, other than compliance with the continuing education requirement, so long as the license is continuously renewed. The license granted a person qualified only by continuous licensing since before January 1, 1999, shall be issued a license(s) only for the trade or trades which were his or her principal work during that time.

(Ord. 1899)

4-805 Limited contractor license.

A limited contractor license may be issued for each of the following types of work: Concrete, fencing/decks, sheetrock, masonry, lawn sprinkler/irrigation, doors/window/guttering/siding, demolition, excavation, security/fire alarm system, sign installation and swimming pool installation/repairs. Requirement is proof of two (2) years of documented field experience in the work for which a license is sought. “Documented field experience” requires written certification by the applicant of the times and places he or she held a license in the trade for which the applicant wishes to be licensed or worked under the direct supervision of a person having a license in the trade for which the applicant wishes to be licensed.

(Ord. 1899; Code 2018; Ord. 1999)

4-806 Application for contractor license.

All license applications shall be made upon a form to be supplied by the city which shall disclose the name of the applicant, his place of business in the city (and home office if a nonresident), the kind of contracting work engaged in (i.e. general contractor, limited contractor-concrete, etc.), the length of time engaged in such work, places where work has been performed within the past two years and such other information as the City deems necessary to consider the application The application shall be signed by the applicant or his authorized agent.

(Ord. 1899)

4-807 Insurance prerequisite to license issuance.

Before a license shall be issued to any contractor or limited contractor, the applicant shall file with the city clerk a certificate of insurance providing for public liability coverage including bodily injury and property damage insurance coverage in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and a general aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000; provided further that such insurance coverage shall be effective at the time of any accident or property damage that is caused by the applicant herein, his agent, employee, lessee, or license. Such insurance policy shall contain all of the conditions required by the laws of the state of Kansas and shall carry a uniform endorsement for the actual notice to the city of any changes on such policy. The certificate of such insurance policy shall be provided on an accord certificate of insurance form, or other city approved form, and such certificate of insurance shall further provide that it cannot be canceled unless and until written notice is filed with the city clerk.

(Ord. 1899)

4-808 Biannual renewal of license; continuing education requirement.

Commencing with licenses to be effective January 1, 2019, or thereafter, all licenses shall be renewable biennially as in the case of an original license on or before December 31st of every even numbered year. All licenses shall be renewable for two-year terms beginning January 1st of an odd numbered year and ending December 31st of every even numbered year. For all, except Limited Contractor licenses, not less than twelve (12) classroom hours of trade associated continuing education (CE) approved by the City of Russell are required for the compliance period prior to license renewal approval. The compliance period means the period of two (2) years prior to new license application or license renewal. CE credits in excess of 12 hours will not carry over from one license period to another. All contractors, except Limited Contractor licenses, that do not renew before the expiration of their license shall upon application pay the fee for a new license rather than a renewal fee, but in addition must provide proof of twelve (12) hours of continuing education earned during the compliance period before the contractor’s license can be approved. These twelve (12) hours of CE may not be used towards the renewal hours needed in the next renewal cycle. CE may be provided by the local governing body, a nationally recognized trade organization, community college, technical school, or manufacturers of equipment and/or systems used regularly in that type of trade.

(Ord. 1899; Ord. 1983)

4-809 License fees.

Commencing with licenses to be effective on or after January 1, 2019, the annual fee for a contractor’s license to each person engaging in such work shall be as follows:

(a)General Contractor. Initial license and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $400.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $300.00.

(b)Building Contractor. Initial license and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $300.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $200.00.

(c)Plumbing Contractor or Gas Fitter. Initial license and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $300.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $200.00.

(d)Mechanics, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Contractor. Initial license and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $300.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $200.00.

(e)Electrical Contractor. Initial license and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $300.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $200.00.

(f)Roofing Contractor. Initial license and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $200.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $100.00.

(g)Limited Contractor. Initial license fee and nonconsecutive annual renewals shall be $200.00. Each consecutive renewal shall be $100.00.

The application fee for a 2018 license shall be one-half of the fees stated above and the license shall expire December 31, 2018. On January 1, 2019, all licenses will be considered an “initial license” unless the contractor has held a city issued contractor’s license for the immediately preceding five (5) years, and the renewal is completed on time.

(Ord. 1899)

4-810 Renewal of license.

(a)All licenses shall be renewable biennially as in the case of an original license on or before December 31st of every even numbered year.

(b)Commencing for licenses to be effective on or after January 1, 2019, all licenses shall be valid for two-year terms beginning January 1st of an odd numbered year and ending December 31st of every even numbered year.

(Ord. 1899)

4-811 Contents of license; display.

Each such license shall set forth the kind of contract work in which the licensee may engage. The licensee shall display his license at any place where he may be engaged in contract work or produce the license on demand of any city official.

(Ord. 1899)

4-812 Revocation of license and reinstatement.

Any license issued under the provisions of this article may be revoked by the Building Official upon proof that the licensee(s) has failed, neglected, or refused to comply with any of the provisions of this article or with other ordinances of the city relating to or regulating the particular type of work for which such license was granted: Provided, that no such license shall be revoked without the giving of a written notice of the intention to revoke such license and without giving such licensee a full opportunity to be heard before the governing body as to any complaint made against him or her. Upon the revocation of any license granted under the provisions of this article, no refund shall be made of any part of the license fee previously paid by the licensee. The city will not accept an application for a contractor’s license from that contractor for six (6) months from the date of revocation. Any contractor whose license is revoked must requalify for a license prior to reinstatement of that contractor’s license. Requalification shall include taking or retaking and passing any exams required for licensure by the city.

(Code 1973, 5-706; Ord. 1580, Sec. 7; Ord. 1687, Sec. 3; Ord. 1899; Ord. 1950)

4-813 Helpers, apprentices.

Any helper or apprentice employed by any person, firm, or corporation licensed under the provisions of this article shall listed on the contractor’s license without the payment of any additional fee, and all work done by any helper or apprentice shall be carried on under the immediate supervision of a licensed electrician, plumber, mechanical contractor, or general contractor, as the case may be.

(Code 1973, 5-707; Code 1983; Ord. 1580, Sec. 9; Code 2018)

4-814 Unlawful use of license.

No license issued hereunder shall be assignable or transferable, and it shall be unlawful for any licensee to permit his, her or its license to be used or allow permits to be taken out in the name of such licensee by any other person, firm, or corporation.

(Code 1973, 5-708; Ord. 1580, Sec. 11)

4-815 Blank forms, records.

The Building Official, under the direction of the City Manager, shall keep a complete record of all licenses issued and the names of all helpers and apprentices registered under the provisions of this article and shall cause suitable records of all official actions taken hereunder to be kept and preserved. All necessary blanks and record books shall be provided by the City.

(Code 1973, 5-709; Ord. 1580, Sec. 13; Code 2018)

4-816 Penalty.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this article shall upon conviction thereof be fined in any sum not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and each day’s continuance of such violation shall be considered a separate offense. Any conviction of a violation of the provisions of this article by a licensee shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of the license of such licensee.

(Code 1973, 5-710; Code 1983; Ord. 1580, Sec. 15; Code 2018)