§ 6-83. Requirements for local license.

(a)

Each person desiring to be a locally licensed contractor within Lake County shall apply to the building official or designee for a local license on an official application form. In order for a person to receive a local license, he or she shall be at least eighteen (18) years old, of good moral character, and meet all other eligibility requirements.

(1)

For purposes of this section, good moral character means a personal history of honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and for local and state law.

(2)

The building official may determine that an individual applying for local license is not of good moral character only if there is substantial connection between the lack of good moral character of the individual and the professional responsibilities of a registered contractor and the finding of the building official or board of examiners is supported by clear and convincing evidence.

(3)

If an individual is denied a local license because of a lack of good moral character, the building official must furnish the individual a statement containing the findings of the building official, a complete record of evidence upon which the determination was based, and a notice of the rights of the individual to appeal.

(4)

Proof of education in the form of a transcript or other proof acceptable to the building official. Proof of experience in the form of a notarized affidavit executed by a licensed architect, licensed engineer, licensed contractor or building official not related to the applicant. The applicant either:

a.

Has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college in an appropriate field of engineering, architecture, or building construction and has one (1) year of proven field experience in the category in which the person seeks to qualify. For the purpose of this article, a minimum of two thousand (2,000) man-hours shall be used in determining full-time equivalency; or

b.

Has at least four (4) years of active experience as a workman who has learned his/her trade by serving an apprenticeship as a skilled workman who is able to command the rate of mechanic in his particular trade, and has at least one (1) year of active experience at the level of foreman who is in charge of a group of workmen and is responsible to a superintendent or a contractor or equivalent; or

c.

Has a combination of not less than one (1) year of experience as a foreman and not less than four (4) years of credits for accredited college-level courses; or has a combination of not less than two (2) years' experience as a skilled workman, one (1) year of experience as a foreman, and not less than two (2) years of credits for accredited college-level courses. All junior college or community college-level courses shall be considered accredited college-level courses. For credits for any accredited college-level courses to satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall show that the courses were in a construction related field.

(b)

In addition to the application form, each applicant must provide the following with his or her application:

(1)

Proof of a passing grade of seventy-five (75) percent or better on an exam approved by the building official.

(2)

The appropriate fee for the local license as established by the board of county commissioners.

(3)

Certificate of insurance with the certificate holder reading Lake County Board of County Commissioners, for commercial general liability insurance for the safety and welfare of the public in the minimum amounts of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) per occurrence.

(4)

A copy of a current business tax receipt.

(5)

Certificate of insurance with the certificate holder reading Lake County Board of County Commissioners, for Florida Worker's Compensation insurance, or a copy of an approved DWC-252 or DWC-253 Exempt form from the State Division of Worker's Compensation Bureau.

(6)

A bond in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) conditioned on the contractor following and complying with all provisions of this chapter. Any such bond shall be made payable to the Florida Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund. Bond reciprocity shall be granted in accordance with F. S. § 489.131.

(7)

An affidavit stating that the applicant will not undertake any work which is outside the scope of the local license for which he or she is applying and that he or she will comply with all county regulations applicable to his work.

(8)

A list of any disciplinary actions against the applicant in any jurisdiction within the last five (5) years, if applicable.

(c)

The building official shall issue a local license to each person who meets all of the qualifications of this chapter.

(d)

If the application is denied by the building department staff, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision to the board of building examiners.

(e)

Any contractor holding a local license is required to keep a current address and phone number on file with the Lake County Building Services Department. Within fifteen (15) days of a change in address or phone number, the contractor shall notify Lake County Building Services of the new information.

(Ord. No. 2016-04, § 2, 2-2-16)