Any person desiring to engage in or work at the business of Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (Heating and Air Conditioning and/or Refrigeration), Building, Siding, Roofing, Solar Heater Installation or Swimming Pool Contractor shall be required to obtain the proper license from the city prior to engaging in such work and/or business. Any person performing such work or services as set forth in this chapter without first having obtained the applicable license, shall be guilty of violating this code.

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   An application shall be made in writing and presented to the city clerk along with proof of insurance. Such application shall show the applicant’s name and address and such other information as may be prescribed by the board, and shall be made on forms available in the city clerk’s office.

(b)   Every electrical, mechanical, or plumbing contractor before engaging in electrical, mechanical or plumbing work in the city’s jurisdiction shall have taken and passed the standard examination required hereunder to determine the competency of such person for a license certificate detailed below in section 4-204; and no license shall be issued unless the applicant presents a current certificate issued to him or her pursuant to the provisions of this article, except as follows: 

(1)   All public utilities installation contractors operating under contract to the city and working as installer of city owned public sewer and water lines installed underground, on or along city-owned alleys, street right-of-ways and dedicated utility easements, including the work of reconnection of all private sewer or water service lines to new, replaced or repaired public sewer or water lines, shall not be required to obtain the plumbing license required under this section. A plumbing permit will be required for each reconnection made (no fee charged) and each connection or reconnection shall be inspected by the city inspector.

(2)   The license of a plumber shall also include gas fitting, sprinkler systems, and water conditioning.

(3)   The owner of property within the City shall not be required to pass any examination, obtain any license or post insurance coverage in order to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve, convert or perform any work on the structure owned by that person, including such work on the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structure contained therein. The owner is required to obtain the proper permits from the city. Such permits shall be marked “WORK BY OWNER.” The permit shall clearly state and set out all work to be done by the owner and such work shall be inspected by the city as is normally required for such work. Inspections made by the city shall not exceed what is normally required for said work and any additional inspections required will precipitate an additional charge to the owner. The city personnel shall not teach, instruct, design or layout any work to be done by the owner. All work done by the owner shall comply with the technical codes and ordinances adopted by the city.

(c)   Exceptions to work by owner:

(1)   The home owner shall not tap into any city sewer line. The tap of any city sewer line shall be done by a Master licensed plumber under a separate plumbing permit.

(2)   The home owner shall not install the Electrical Service Entrance consisting of the electrical panel, main breaker, meter enclosure, riser and weathered. The service entrance shall be installed by a Master licensed electrician under a separate electrical permit.

(d)   Limitations.

(1)   The home owner is permitted to build one single family dwelling every five years.

(2)   The home owner is permitted one major electrical wiring project every three years.

(3)   The home owner is not permitted to hire any individual, firm, company, or corporation to accomplish any work under his/her permits. Any work not accomplished by the owner must be by a licensed individual, firm, company or corporation and a separate permit shall be issued by the city to cover the scope of the work.

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   There is hereby established a City Board of Licensing Advisors consisting of the electrical distribution department head, the plumbing/mechanical department head, the City inspector (if different from the previously mentioned department heads) and one member of the public, licensed or experienced in the licensed occupations.

(b)   The board is authorized to review and make recommendations to the governing body concerning the city codes of building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, housing, dangerous structures, signs and other building related codes and ordinances.

(c)   The board is authorized to formulate city policies concerning the building trades and modes as adopted by the city upon adoption by the governing body.

(d)   The board shall keep a minute book in which shall be recorded all transactions and business of the board. The minute book and other records shall be kept in a manner designed by the secretary. The reports are submitted to the city clerk. The city clerk shall keep a record of all persons qualified by the Board to whom a certificate has been issued. The city clerk shall not be responsible for the record of any person whose certificate has not been renewed and has thereby lapsed for a period of one year.

(e)   The board is authorized to review and make recommendations to the governing body concerning licensing requirements and fees.

(f)   The board is authorized to conduct public hearings concerning trade licensing removal and make recommendations to the governing body concerning an individual’s or company’s violation of the codes, rules, regulations, policies and ordinances.

(g)   That nothing herein contained shall deny any applicant the right to be heard on any new application at a later time; provided further, that the applicant shall comply with the other provisions of this article and the rules adopted by the board. No applicant shall be denied an examination or certificate on account of his or her affiliation with any lawful organizations, union, associations, or persons. If, after two unsuccessful examinations, for any other valid reason, an applicant feels and believes that he or she was denied a certificate by the board on account of the prejudice or any other influence, or in violation of the terms of this article, then the applicant may appeal from the decision of the board to the governing body of the city and if after due consideration of the applicant’s appeal, the governing body is of the opinion that a probable injustice has been done, the applicant may thereupon request that the applicant be re-examined. The board shall be diligent and tolerant in aiding and assisting all applicants by enlightening them concerning the rules prescribed by the board of examiners. Upon passing an examination, the board shall issue to each applicant a certificate certifying that the applicant is qualified to receive the appropriate city license.

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   Statewide Standard Examination.

Examination to determine competency for all categories in section 4-202(b) shall be administered by Thompson Prometrics (Experior) of St. Paul, Minnesota or their representative in accordance with their policies and procedures for the jurisdiction of the State of Kansas. The standard examinations prepared and published by Thompson Prometrics (Experior), 1260 energy Lane, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, are hereby designated the standard examination for determining the qualifications of persons seeking a certificate recognized for the categories listed in section 4-302 of this article, within the city and the State of Kansas.

(b)   Minimum Passing Score.

(1)   If the applicant for license under this article attains a score of 75 percent or higher, the city upon payment of the prescribed fee, and proof of liability insurance shall issue the appropriate certificate to the applicant authorizing him or her to engage or work at the occupant of the successful license category, providing all other regulations are adhered to.

       The applicant’s certificate shall have the examination test score, the applicant’s assigned number and the date the test was completed.

(c)   Grandfather Clause.

(1)   Any individual who is presently licensed by the city at his or her contractor category on the effective date of this article need not submit to the taking of the aforementioned examination. If any such individual’s license has expired, lapsed, or is cancelled, then he or she shall be tested in accordance with the aforementioned testing materials.

(2)   Regarding those individuals who have not heretofore been required to be licensed to do business in the city for the occupations described in this article, such individuals, upon written application, will be granted a license at his or her license category, without taking the aforementioned examination; provided that such individual has performed work within the city within three years from the effective date of this article in the license certificate category specified in his or her application for license; and further provided that: (1) all such information provided shall be confirmed by the city inspector as to its validity, if the information given cannot he substantiated, the application will be disapproved by the review board and returned to the applicant; (2) prior to issuance of a license, the applicant must obtain and maintain the general liability insurance coverage required under section 4-208. of this article; (3) that such written application for a no-examination license under this subsection must be filed with the office of the city 30 days from the effective date of this article; and (4) that if any such individual granted a license under this subsection seeks to be licensed at a different level of expertise, or if any such individual’s license is expired, lapsed, or cancelled, then he or she shall be tested in accordance with the aforementioned testing materials. 

(d)   Penalty.

It shall be unlawful to perform any of the categories of work as set forth herein where a license is required, including building or construction work, electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HARV) work, within the corporate limits of the city without a permit or license where one is required. A violation of this article may result in the temporary suspension of any license issued hereunder, and the city inspector may file a complaint in the municipal court of the city against such person, or persons which are in violation of this article and upon conviction shall be punished as set forth at Section 4-211. For the purposes of this article, a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day unlicensed work is performed.

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   There is hereby created the following categories of licenses required by the city.

(1)   Employing Contractor: Those persons who hold a master certificate of qualification for Electrician, Plumber, or Mechanical, or have in their employ Master, Journeymen and Apprentice Electricians, Plumbers, Mechanical Specialists; General, Building, Residential, Siding, Roofing, Solar Heater Installation or Swimming Pool Contractors.

(2)   Master Electrician: A person who is qualified, minimum of 5 years experience in the field, licensed and equipped to properly layout and plan the installation, repair and maintenance of electrical systems.

(3)   Journeyman Electrician: A person who is qualified, minimum of 2 years experience in the field, licensed and equipped to do electrical work, install and repair electrical systems, for and under the direction of a qualified Master Electrician.

(4)   Apprentice Electrician: A person, 18 years or older who is licensed to learn the electrical trade under the direct supervision of a Journeyman of Master Electrician. ,

(5)   Master Plumber: A person who is qualified, minimum of 5 years experience in the field, licensed and equipped to properly layout and plan the installation, repair and maintenance of plumbing and gas systems.

(6)   Journeyman Plumber: A person who is qualified, minimum of 2 years in the field licensed and equipped to do plumbing and/or gas fitting, install and repair plumbing and gas systems for and under the direction of a qualified Master Plumber.

(7)   Apprentice Plumber: A person who is 18 years or older who is licensed to learn the plumbing trade under the direct supervision of a Journeyman or Master Plumber.

(8)   Master Mechanical Specialist: A person who is qualified, minimum of 5 years experience in the field, licensed and equipped to properly layout and plan the installation, repair and maintenance of mechanical systems to including heating, air conditioning and refrigeration.

(9)   Journeyman Mechanical Specialist: A person who is qualified, minimum of 2 years of experience in the field, licensed and equipped to do mechanical work, install and repair mechanical systems for and under the direction of a Master Mechanical Specialist.

(10) Apprentice Mechanical Specialist: A person who is 18 years or older who is licensed to learn the mechanical trade under the direct supervision of a Journeyman or Master Mechanical Specialist.

(11) Building Contractor: A person who is qualified, licensed and equipped to build, construct, alter, repair, add to, remodel or raze any building or structure, or any portion thereof, for which a permit is required, for either commercial, industrial, or residential construction. The Building Contractor license shall also be applicable to Siding Contractors and Roofing Contractors. Limited to commercial buildings, industrial buildings, single or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, not to exceed three stories in height.

(12) Residential Swimming Pool Contractor: A person who is qualified, licensed and equipped to install, repair and replace residential swimming pools, including the pumps, pool heater, solar pool heater, filters, chlorinators and that piping incidental to the recirculating system and concrete slab work;

(13) House Moving Contractor A person who is qualified, licensed and equipped to move, haul or transport any house, building, derrick or other structure of the height when loaded for movement of 16 feet or more from the surface of the highway, road, street or alley, or a width of eight feet or more or which cannot be moved at a speed of four miles per hour or faster, upon, across or over any street, alley or sidewalk

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   All trade licenses shall expire on midnight, December 31st of each year.

(b)   Failure to renew a license by March 1 shall require a review by the Board of Licensing Examiners. The Board may require the individual to take the State Examination, re-take the State Examination, and/or double the license fee

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

Any person, prior to obtaining a license hereunder or obtaining a permit as set forth in this articles, shall maintain a minimum liability insurance coverage of $300,000 and provide a copy to be filed with the city clerk.

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   Building, House Moving, and Residential Swimming Pool Contractor requires that one individual be licensed to procure the proper permits from the city. No examination is required to obtain the above contractor’s licenses. The contractor license holder shall be responsible for each project which requires a permit and inspection; to insure that all subcontractors obtain proper licensing and insurance coverage as required by this article; insure to the best of his/her ability that the project complies with all the technical codes and ordinances adopted by the city; and all required inspections are made by the city at the proper time of construction.

(b)   Master licensed Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Specialists shall procure the proper permits from the city. The State of Kansas Trade Examination Certification or passage of the local given test is required to obtain a Master of Journeyman license from this jurisdiction. Apprentice Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Specialist licenses are issued without any testing required. The Master shall be responsible for each project which requires a permit and inspection; to insure that all employees are properly licensed; that all helpers have direct supervision at all times by either a Master or Journeyman licensed employee; shall inspect all work done by a journeyman and/or helper to insure all work complies with all the technical codes and ordinances adopted by this city; and all required inspections are made by the city at the proper time of the construction.

(c)   Contractors obtaining permits for companies or individuals not in the direct employment of the contractor and the use of the second companies or individuals subcontractors, journeymen and helper licensed individuals shall be responsible for each project; ensuring that all individuals on the job are licensed as helpers, ensuring the proper permits are obtained from the city; all required inspections are made by the city; shall be required to be on the project job site during the time of construction or installation of building service equipment; personally inspect the project for compliance with all the technical codes and ordinances adopted by the city; and shall be on the job site when the city makes all inspections.

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)

(a)   Any person violating or failing to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the codes or ordinance shall be fined in Municipal Court a sum:

(1)   First conviction - not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00;

(2)   Second conviction - not less than $100.00 nor more than $300.00;

(3)   Each subsequent conviction - not less than $300.00 nor more than $500.00, and/or be confined for a period not to exceed 10 days and/or have his/her contractor license suspended for a period of 30 to 180 days.

(b)   City inspector could issue “Stay Work Order” directing the contractor to cease all work until the “Stay Work Order” is withdrawn

(Ord. 2245; Code 2014)