AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and consider approval of Ordinance 2023-55, on the first of two readings, amending Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, Article 11, Licensing and Registration of Residential, General and Trade Contractors to eliminate certain local testing requirements; including procedural provisions; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: August 1, 2023
Department: Planning & Development Services
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: On May 16th City Council directed staff to bring back a redline version of City Code, Chapter 14, Article 11, Licensing and Registration of General, Residential and Trade Contractors to remove the testing requirement for General and Residential Contractors.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☒ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Choose an item.
Background Information:
The City of San Marcos is the only City in Texas that requires General and Residential Contractors to have passed a National ICC (International Code Council) exam in order to be become licensed with the City. The City reciprocates with 11 states as an alternative to testing but those states have strict testing standards to obtain licenses that are equivalent to or go above and beyond what is required in San Marcos. The City also requires 6 hours of continuing education each year to maintain licenses.
The attached redline removes the requirement for testing but maintains the requirement for contractor registration. Registration is currently based on a calendar year of January 1st- December 31st. Last Fiscal Year Contractor’s licenses generated almost $50,000 for the general fund and over 250 contractors are licensed. Staff anticipates that number will drop significantly as Contractor’s will only register when they are doing work in San Marcos versus staying continuously registered year after year as they do now to meet their testing/continuing education requirements.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Alternatives:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the redlines as presented, which includes removal of the testing and continuing education requirements to be a licensed Contractor with the City.