§ 26-91. Definitions.

(a)

Contractor means, except those herein exempted, any person who, for compensation, undertakes to, or submits a bid to, or does himself or by others, construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, subtract from, improve any building or structure, including related improvements to real estate for others, or for resale to others, and who is responsible for substantially the entire project. A contractor shall subcontract the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sheet metal, roofing, commercial swimming pool, and air conditioning work if an examination for a certificate of competency or a license is required for such work, unless the contractor holds a certificate of competency or license in such classification. The term "contractor" includes the following:

(1)

General contractor means a contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he may do except as provided in this division.

(2)

Building contractor means a contractor whose services are limited to construction of commercial buildings and single- or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, neither to exceed three stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection therewith, or those whose services are limited to remodeling, repair or improvement of any size building if the services do not affect the structural members of the building.

(3)

Residential contractor means any person whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-, two- or three-family residences not exceeding two stories in height and accessory use structures in connection therewith.

(4)

Mechanical contractor means any person whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts to perform the following: Install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend or design, when not prohibited by law, central air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilating, including duct work in connection with a complete system only to the extent the duct work is performed by the contractor necessary to make complete an air distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, lift station equipment and piping and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith; also piping, insulation of pipes, vessels and ducts, pressure and process piping, pneumatic control piping, gasoline tanks and pump installations and piping for same, fire sprinkling systems and standpipes, air piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen lines, nitrous oxide piping, ink and chemical lines, fuel transmission lines, and natural gas fuel lines within buildings; to disconnect or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the disconnect switch and low voltage heating, ventilating, and air conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system, all in such a manner as to comply with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable thereto.

The scope of work for the mechanical contractor shall also include any excavation work incidental thereto, but shall not include any work such as liquefied petroleum gas fuel lines within buildings, potable water lines or connections thereto, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters and electrical power wiring.

(5)

Class A air conditioning contractor means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to perform the following: Install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, when not prohibited by law, central air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating, including duct work in connection with a complete system only to the extent such duct work is performed by the contractor necessary to make complete an air distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith; also piping, insulation of pipes, vessels and ducts, pressure and process piping and pneumatic control piping; to disconnect or reconnect power wiring and the load size of the disconnect switch and low voltage heating, ventilating, and air conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system, all in such a manner as to comply with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable thereto.

The scope of work for such contractor shall also include any excavation work incidental thereto, but shall not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, potable water lines or connections thereto, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters, and electrical power wiring on the line side of the disconnect switch.

(6)

Class B air conditioning contractor means a contractor whose services are limited to 25 tons cooling and 500,000 Btu's heating (in any one system) in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to perform the following: Install, maintain, and repair, fabricate, alter, extend or design, when not prohibited by law, central air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilating, including duct work in connection with a complete system only to the extent such duct work is performed by the contractor necessary to make complete an air distribution system being installed under this classification; also piping and insulation of pipes, vessels, and ducts; to disconnect or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the disconnect switch and low voltage heating, ventilating, and air conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system, all in such a manner as to comply with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable thereto.

The scope of work for such contractor shall also include any excavation work incidental thereto, but shall not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, potable water lines or connections thereto, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters, or electrical power wiring on the line side of the disconnect switch.

(7)

Class C air conditioning contractor means any person whose business is limited to the servicing of air conditioning, heating, or refrigeration systems, including duct alterations in connection with those systems they are servicing. No examination, registration or certification is required under this division for the sales, service, or installation of package heating or air conditioning units with no ducts or remote controls (maximum of three tons, 36,000 Btu's in capacity).

(8)

Sheet metal contractor means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the sheet metal trade and who has the experience, knowledge and skill necessary for the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, handling, erection, installation, dismantling, conditioning, adjustment, insulation, alteration, repair, servicing and design, when not prohibited by law, of ferrous or nonferrous metal work of U.S. no. 10 gauge or its equivalent or lighter gauge and other materials including, but not limited to, fiberglass, used in lieu thereof; and air-handling systems including the setting of air-handling equipment and reinforcement of same and including the balancing of air-handling systems.

(9)

Electrical contractor means a person who conducts business in the electrical trade field and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, repair, alter, add to, or design, in compliance with law, electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduit, or any part thereof, which generates, transmits, transforms, or utilizes electrical energy in any form, including the electrical installations and systems within plants and substations, all in compliance with applicable plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations. The term means any person, firm, or corporation that engages in the business of electrical contracting under an express or implied contract; or that undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to engage in the business of electrical contracting; or that does itself or by or through others engage in the business of electrical contracting.

(10)

Plumbing contractor means a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, when not prohibited by law, design plumbing. A plumbing contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend or, when not prohibited by law, design the following: Sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; public or private water supply systems; septic tanks; drainage and supply wells; swimming pool piping; irrigation systems, or solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, including boilers and pressure process piping and including the installation of water, natural gas (excluding liquid petroleum gases), and storm and sanitary sewer lines; and water and sewer plans and substations. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor also includes the design, when not prohibited by law, and installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of air-piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen line piping, nitrous oxide piping, and all related medical gas systems; fire line standpipes and fire sprinklers to the extent authorized by law; ink and chemical lines; fuel oil and gasoline piping and tank and pump installation, except bulk storage plants; and pneumatic control piping systems, all in such a manner as to comply with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor shall apply to private property and public property, shall include any excavation work incidental thereto, and shall include the work of the specialty plumbing contractor. Such contractor shall subcontract, with a qualified contractor in the field concerned, all other work incidental to the work but which is specified herein as being the work of a trade other than that of a plumbing contractor. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to limit the scope of work of any specialty contractor certified pursuant to F.S. § 489.113(6). Nothing in this definition shall be construed to require certification or registration under this division of any authorized employee of a public natural gas utility or a private natural gas utility regulated by the public service commission, when disconnecting and reconnecting water lines in the servicing or replacement of an existing water heater.

(11)

Aluminum contractor means any person whose services are unlimited in the aluminum construction trade and who has the experience, knowledge and skill necessary for the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, handling, erection, installation, dismantling, adjustment, alteration, repair, servicing, and design, when not prohibited by law, of aluminum metal work. The scope of such work shall include, but not be limited to, screen porches, screen enclosures, siding, soffit and fascia, self-contained aluminum structures, and any other types of construction consisting primarily of aluminum and such masonry concrete which is incidental to the aluminum work.

(12)

Veneer specialty contractor means a contractor who specializes in and is limited to the installation, repair, replacement, alteration, and maintenance of aluminum or vinyl gutters, siding, soffit and fascia.

(13)

Roofing contractor means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design, when not prohibited by law, and use materials and items used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all kinds of roofing, waterproofing, and coating, except when coating is not represented to protect, repair, waterproof, stop leaks, or extend the life of the roof.

(14)

Commercial pool/spa contractor means a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the construction, repair, water treatment, and servicing of any swimming pool, hot tub or spa, whether public, private, or otherwise, regardless of use. The scope of such work includes layout, excavation, operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, installation of light niches, pouring of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, installation of tile and coping, installation of all perimeter and filter piping, installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plastering of the interior, pouring of decks, construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool equipment, and installation of package pool heaters. However, the scope of such work does not include direct connection to a sanitary sewer system or to potable waterlines.

(15)

Residential pool/spa contractor means a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the construction, repair, water treatment, and servicing of any residential swimming pool, hot tub or spa, regardless of use. The scope of such work includes layout, excavation, operation of construction pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, installation of light niches, pouring of floors, guniting, fiberglassing, installation of tile and coping, installation of all perimeter and filter piping, installation of all filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plastering of the interior, pouring of decks, installation of housing for pool equipment, and installation of package pool heaters. However, the scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable waterlines.

(16)

Swimming pool/spa servicing contractor means a contractor whose scope of work involves the servicing, repair, water treatment, including, but not limited to, the direct infusion of chlorine gas, and maintenance of any swimming pool, hot tub or spa, whether public or private. The scope of such work may include any necessary piping and repairs, replacement and repair of existing equipment, or installation of new additional equipment as necessary. The scope of such work includes the reinstallation of tile and coping, repair and replacement of all piping, filter equipment, and chemical feeders of any type, replastering, repouring of decks, and reinstallation or addition of pool heaters.

(17)

Underground utility contractor means a specialty contractor whose services are limited to work of $5,000.00 or more in the construction, installation and repair on public or private property of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution systems, storm sewer collection systems and the continuation of the utility lines from the main systems to a point of termination as follows:

a.

The water service line from the main water distribution system up to and including the meter location for the individual occupancy. Master site meters shall not constitute the utility contractor's point of work termination. In this instance, the utility contractor's work will terminate at the secondary meter, but in no case closer than five feet to a building.

b.

Sanitary sewer collection system:

1.

At the property line on residential or single-occupancy commercial properties.

2.

On multioccupancy properties at manhole or wye lateral extended to an invert elevation as engineered to accommodate future building sewers.

c.

Storm sewer collection systems at storm sewer structures. The continuation of utility lines from the mains are to be considered a part of the main sewer collection and main water distribution systems in mobile home parks.

An underground utility contractor shall not install any piping that is an integral part of a fire protection system, as defined in F.S. § 633.021(7), beginning at the point where piping is used exclusively for such system.

(18)

Tile and marble specialty contractor means a contractor whose work is limited to the hard tile and marble and has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, repair, alter, extend, or design, when not prohibited by law, the base and hard tile and marble in both residential and commercial applications. Shower pans and plumbing fixtures must be installed by plumbing contractors.

(19)

Irrigation system specialty contractor means a contractor whose work is limited to irrigation systems and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, repair, alter, extend, or design, when not prohibited by law, all piping and sprinkler heads for the irrigation of lawns, including connections to a water pump.

(20)

Carpentry specialty contractor means a contractor whose work is limited to wood construction and [who] has the knowledge, experience, and skill to install rough framing, structural and nonstructural members, trusses, sheathing, and may install and finish floors, doors, and windows.

(21)

Natural gas specialty contractor means a contractor whose practice and scope of work are limited to natural gas systems, and [who] has the knowledge, experience, and skill to install, alter, extend, or repair natural gas piping, appliances, gas mains, lines, laterals, tanks, and other appurtenances.

(22)

Painting specialty contractor means a contractor who is qualified to use spraying equipment and hand tools to perform both exterior and interior painting work. A painting contractor may do paperhanging, sandblasting, caulking, waterproofing (excluding waterproofing of roofs), and may clean and paint roofs.

(23)

Marine specialty contractor means a contractor whose services are limited to construct, maintain, alter, or repair seawalls, bulkheads, revetments, docks, piers, wharves, groins, and other marine structures, to include piledriving.

(24)

Flatwork masonry specialty contractor means a contractor whose services are limited to forming, placing, and finishing of nonstructural concrete on grade.

(25)

Masonry specialty contractor means a contractor whose services are limited to batching and mixing of aggregates, cement, and water to specifications, to laying block, laying brick, and construction of fireplaces and chimneys, to mixing mortar, to constructing forms and framework for the casting and shaping of concrete, to the placing and erection of reinforcing steel and miscellaneous embedded steel, and to the pouring, placement, and finishing of concrete.

(26)

Gypsum drywall specialty contractor means a contractor whose scope of work is limited to the installation of all necessary and incidental metal accessories, including metal studs, runners, hangers, channels, drywall metal suspension accessories and prefabricated ceiling materials, and the preparation of the surface over which drywall or other cementitious board product is to be applied. This includes the application of base and finish coats specifically designed for the gypsum drywall products of their own erection. This category shall not include plastering, block, or wood partitions. Nothing in this definition shall be deemed to restrict or limit in any manner the scope of work authorized by law of other contractor classifications.

(27)

Specialty contractor means a contractor whose scope of work and responsibility is limited to a particular phase of construction or home improvement.

(b)

Journeyman includes:

(1)

Air conditioning journeyman means a person who performs the manual work of installing the service authorized and under the direction of a class A, B, or C air conditioning contractor.

(2)

Sheet metal journeyman means a person who performs the manual work of installing sheet metal under the direction of a sheet metal contractor.

(3)

Journeyman electrician means a person who performs the work of installing electrical wiring under the direction of an electrical contractor.

(4)

Journeyman plumber means a person who performs the manual work of installing plumbing under the direction of a plumbing contractor.

(c)

Contracting means, except as herein exempted, engaging in business as a contractor.

(d)

Board means the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board created hereby, unless the context otherwise requires.

(e)

Certificate means a certificate of competency issued by the board as provided herein.

(f)

Registration means registration with the board as provided herein.

(g)

Certification means the act of obtaining or holding a certificate of competency from the board as provided herein.

(h)

Register means the act of obtaining evidence of registration with the board as provided herein.

(i)

Registrant means a person who has registered with the board.

(j)

Fire marshal means that person designated by any municipality, fire control district, or the county, as the administrative head of the agency, bureau, division, or department responsible for the administration and enforcement of life safety and fire codes within its respective jurisdiction.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 75-489, § 11; Laws of Fla. ch. 89-504, § 1; Laws of Fla. ch. 93-387, § 1)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.