Contractor Registration Program

Overview

Fairfield County Building Department (FCBD) requires contractor registration per County Resolution 06-02.28.f and through the powers granted under the Ohio Revised Code. This includes any individual or company acting as a general, specialty trade or skilled trades contractor including construction activities such as electrical, hydronics, heating & cooling, structural (includes building construction, roofing, siding, gutters, waterproofing, cement and drywall trades), masonry, fire protection, fire suppression, or excavation within the jurisdiction of the FCBD.

No person shall act as or claim to be a construction contractor of any type, or perform any construction work on any commercial construction unless first registered with the FCBD.

No person shall act as or claim to be a heating, ventilating, air conditioning contractor, refrigeration contractor, electrical contractor, or hydronics contractor, unless that person holds or has been assigned a license issued pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4740, for the type of contractor that person is acting as or claiming to be. This means all skilled trade contractors must show proof of a license issued by the State of Ohio Contractors Licensing Board to register with FCBD on commercial construction projects located within the jurisdiction of FCBD.

Items Required to Register

• Completed contractor registration application. Commercial contractors must attach a copy of State license(s) for each trade checked on the application. ORC 715.27
• Proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000. Provide a certificate of coverage from the insurance company naming Fairfield County Building Department as certificate holder.
• A $10,000 surety bond payable to the Fairfield County Building Department. Use the bond form provided by FCBD.
• A copy of current Workers’ Compensation Certificate for businesses that have more than one employee.
• Registration fee of $75.00 applies for each major category applied for on the application (general or each skilled trade). Payment must be money order or check payable to “Fairfield County Building Department”. The registration fee is for a 12-month period.

All completed forms, licenses, and documentation are required with the registration fee to be considered. For more information, form copies, or related forms, visit www.co.fairfield.oh.us and look under “Building Department,” or visit the FCBD office.

Inspections may be called into the office anytime by calling (614) 322-5202 or (740) 652-7130.

Contractor Registration Categories and Definitions

General

GENERAL means those persons, businesses or companies that directly engage in building construction and hire subcontractors to provide construction services for specific skilled trades. As of 2005, a state license is not required to register as a general contractor. The general contractor may perform limited work, as the Building Department determines, on commercial projects that are listed under the “skilled trades” category. All work that involves more than limited work must be completed by persons, businesses or companies registered under the applicable skilled trade categories.

Skilled Trades

NOTE: State contractor’s license is required to register for skilled trades on commercial projects.

Electrician

Those persons, businesses or companies that provide services to install, repair or replace electrical apparatus or appurtenances within or about a building structure or specific location.

Fire/Security Detection & Suppression

Those persons, businesses or companies that provide services to install, repair, test and replace fire or security detection equipment, reporting devices, fire sprinklers and piping, stand pipes, fire suppression equipment and suppression hoods. (A State of Ohio license is not required for security-only contractors.)

Hydronics

Those persons, businesses or companies that provide services to install, repair or replace fluid, steam or gas pressure piping systems within a structure.

HVAC

Those persons, businesses or companies that provide services to install, repair or replace heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems within a building.

Refrigeration

Those persons, businesses or companies that provide services to install, repair or replace systems that vaporize and liquefy a fluid used for refrigerated storage systems and other attached components.

Registration Process and Public Information

Ohio Revised Code and Fairfield County Resolution No. 06-02.28.f permit the Building Department to determine the contractor registration process. After the application is filed and fee(s) paid, the contractor is instantly registered. The application is then entered into the FCBD database where a unique registration number will be issued. The registration number process usually takes two business days.

The registered contractor shall be listed on the FCBD Internet website with current business name, address, and telephone number under the category(s) for which the contractor has registered.

Consumers, upon request, will be given a list of registered contractors as a matter of public record; however, this does not constitute an endorsement or advertising of any contractor’s products or services by FCBD.

Contractors who fall into the listed categories and are performing work in the County must register. Registration must be renewed every 12 months to remain current. The penalty for failure to register is a minor misdemeanor. Contractors engaging in commercial work without a State license will be forwarded to the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board for investigation and prosecution.

Individual, Organization and Business Registration Exemptions

The following individuals, organizations and businesses are exempt from registering as a contractor with the Building Department:

• Any business that utilizes personnel directly employed by the company to perform activities on company-owned property that may or may not require permits. A company official must complete a Registration Exemption Affidavit form. Any contractors hired by the company shall be registered.

Contractor Registration Policy Summary

This summary is provided to give customers, contractors, and the general public a quick reference guide to better understand the requirements of the Contractor Registration Program, and to clarify who is required to register and who is exempted from registration.

Definitions

Commercial/Industrial – Commercial or Industrial companies or corporations that have on-staff full-time employees whose normal job is to construct, repair and maintain commercial buildings and properties owned only by the company or corporation. Supervisory staff must maintain records and supervise the activities.

Contractor Policy (See Appendix A)

1. A contractor builds, renovates or alters a commercial building and does not hire any subcontractor for any of the construction work:
   • Contractor not required to register as a “general” contractor; however, they must be registered under a “specialty trade” and/or each and every “skilled trade” performed (including electrical, HVAC, plumbing and hydronics) per Ohio Revised Code. A State of Ohio contractor’s license is required to register for each skilled trade.
   • No other contractors are permitted to work at the job site unless the original contractor notifies FCBD and provides the subcontractors’ FCBD registration number and business information. At that point, the original contractor must register as a “general” contractor.
   • Contractor could be prosecuted and referred to the Ohio Contractor Licensing Board if evidence is discovered of work completed by unregistered and unlicensed contractor(s) on the job site.
2. A contractor builds, renovates or alters a commercial building and hires one or more subcontractors to perform other work at the construction site:
   • Contractor must register as a “general” contractor and for each and every “skilled trade” performed (including electrical, HVAC, plumbing and hydronics) per Ohio Revised Code. A State of Ohio contractor’s license is required to register for each skilled trade.
   • All subcontractors must show proof of a valid State of Ohio contractor’s license in the skilled trade of the work being performed to register with FCBD.
   • Contractor could be prosecuted and referred to the Ohio Contractor Licensing Board if evidence is discovered of work completed by unregistered and unlicensed contractor(s) on the job site.

Business & Industrial Policy (See Appendix B)

1. A business or industry approved for contractor exemption plans to perform minor construction activities within previously constructed building(s) for service, repair, addition of equipment and renovation of the facility using only currently employed trade professionals who will perform all the work:
   • The business/industry must complete, have notarized, and submit with the permit application a completed Registration Exemption Affidavit for review by the Building Official. The exemption is valid on a permit-by-permit basis and is subject to changes, modifications, denial, or elimination by FCBD, the State Board of Building Standards, or the Ohio Contractor Licensing Board.
2. A business or industry approved for contractor registration exemption wants to perform major construction activities within previously constructed building(s) for service, repair, addition of equipment and renovation of the facility using some current employed trade professionals and some outside contractors:
   • Business/Industry is required to register as a “general” contractor unless they have hired a general contractor for the project. All skilled trade persons working on the job must have the appropriate trade license from the State of Ohio. All outside contractors must be registered with FCBD under a “specialty trade” and/or each and every “skilled trade” performed (including electrical, HVAC, plumbing and hydronics) per Ohio Revised Code. A State of Ohio contractor’s license is required to register for each skilled trade.
   • No other contractors are permitted to work at the job site unless the original contractor notifies FCBD and provides the subcontractor’s FCBD registration number and business information. At that point, the original contractor must register as a “general” contractor.
   • Contractor could be prosecuted and referred to the Ohio Contractor Licensing Board if evidence is discovered of work completed by unregistered and unlicensed contractor(s) on the job site.

Appendix A

It is the intent of the City/County to help protect the citizen/consumer from fraudulent and dishonest contractors when hiring a person or firm to complete a construction project with or without a written contract. In some cases, the surety bond protects the interest of the County and commercial entity by assuring that if a major commercial project is started and not completed, the County may step in and clean or secure the property using funds from the contractor’s bond.

Liability insurance protects the commercial entity from unsafe, incomplete or incorrect building practices and injuries to others due to negligence of the commercial entity, contractor, or the contractor’s representative.

Appendix B

It is the County’s intent to permit businesses and industrial facilities (businesses) to be exempt from the contractor registration program when evidence is produced that businesses have on-staff employees who perform maintenance and construction work as a normal course of employment for the business owned by the company that provides the employee compensation. Businesses approved for exemption must agree to supervise all work and maintain documentation on site for future review by any code official, County, State, or Federal agency.

This business policy is not intended for commercial or industrial settings that normally do not have directly employed professional trade persons whose primary job is to perform those skilled trades. Personnel performing general maintenance employed by a business or industry normally do not qualify for exemption.

Notification of Subcontractors Hired

If any subcontractors perform work at the construction site, FCBD shall be notified to verify that they are registered. It is the contractor’s responsibility to provide a list of all subcontractors hired to perform construction activities. This list must be supplied at the time the application for permits is submitted. County resolutions prohibit a permit from being issued unless the contractor(s) have first registered with FCBD.

Registered Contractors & Insurance/Bonds

If FCBD becomes aware that a contractor’s liability or bonding insurance has been cancelled, the contractor shall be removed from the contractor list. No further permits will be issued until proof of insurance is provided.

Registration indicates that the contractor has provided to FCBD the required bond, insurance, workers’ compensation certificate, and has registered with the appropriate agencies as required. Commercial contractors must also provide copies of a State of Ohio contractor’s license for each and every trade the contractor performs.

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