§ 14-83. Exemption from licensing requirement.

(a)

An owner-occupier may secure a building permit for and perform and supervise work in connection with construction of his own private residence for his own occupancy, or the maintenance of, addition to, alteration of or repair of his own private residence; provided, that the work to be done shall conform with the building code and other ordinances pertaining to building and construction with the city; provided, further, that no owner-occupier shall be permitted to construct more than one home per calendar year unless he is licensed as a contractor. The construction of more than one residence by an individual owner in any 12-month period shall be construed as contracting. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit an owner-occupier from obtaining a building permit for the maintenance, repair or addition to his own existing residential property more than one time during any calendar year.

(b)

The owner of a commercial building may make alterations and/or repairs to such building without being licensed as herein required, provided that no structural changes are involved which would require an expert knowledge of construction. The determination as to the nature of structural changes and the expert knowledge required in making such changes shall be made at the sole discretion of the building official. Additionally, such alterations and/or repairs must meet each and every requirement of the building code and other ordinances pertaining to building and construction within the city and all requirements of state statutes applicable to such building and construction.

(c)

The provisions of this division shall not apply to contractors bidding on or performing public works for the city, county, state, U.S. government or other public or governmental body.

(d)

The provisions of this division shall not apply to an authorized representative or representatives of the United States, the state, the county, the city or other public or governmental body.

(e)

The provisions of this division shall not apply to subcontractors duly licensed, certified or registered by the city, who may carry on and engage in their particular trade, business, or profession without being considered contractors, except that when such subcontractors perform functions which, in the opinion of the building official, constitute the functions of a contractor, then those subcontractors shall be required to comply with all of the requirements of this article for contractors.

(Code 1981, § 6-162)