Winters Municipal Code Ch. 15.52 Permit Issuance Requirements

A. Every developer, contractor, sub-contractor, or other person(s) as required by Chapter 9, beginning with Section 7000 of the California Business and Professions Code, shall maintain in good standing, a valid contractor's license, specific to the work to which person(s) is licensed for, and current, in good standing, workers' compensation policy on file with the city community development department, prior to issuance of a building permit, on all construction work for which a permit is required. Such license and policy shall be maintained throughout the performance of the work for which the building permit is issued. The city requires all general and subcontractors to have a business license.

B. Failure to comply with this section shall constitute a violation of this code, subject to all penalties contained therein. In addition, the building inspector shall, upon an inspection request, deny such request to that portion of work, which was performed by such person(s) who is in violation of this section.

The building inspector may not do subsequent inspection requests as long as such violation exists, unless the building inspector has determined that the permit holder has re-established such license and/or policy and is in full compliance with this section. The city requires all general and subcontractors to have business licenses.

(Ord. 2025-10, 11/18/2025)

A. No permit shall be issued to any person to do any plumbing, drainage, mechanical, electrical, framing, structural, grading or demolition work regulated by this chapter, or any other work for which state law or this code requires a license, unless such person shall have a valid license to perform such work obtained pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.

B. This chapter does not apply to any of the following:

1. An owner of property, building or improving structures thereon, or appurtenances thereto, who does the work themselves or through their own employees with wages as their sole compensation, provided none of the structures, with or without the appurtenances thereto, are intended or offered for sale;

2. An owner of property, building or improving structures thereon, or appurtenances thereto, who contracts for such a project with a subcontractor(s) licensed pursuant to this chapter. However, this exemption shall apply to the construction of single-family residential structures only if four or fewer of these structures are intended or offered for sale in a calendar year. This limitation shall not apply if the owner of property contracts with a general contractor for the construction;

3. A homeowner improving their principal place of residence or appurtenances thereto, provided that all of the following conditions exist.

a. The homeowner has actually resided in the residence for at least 12 months prior to completion of the work,

b. The homeowner has not availed themselves of the exemption in this subdivision on more than two structures more than once during any three-year period;

4. Prior to issuing a permit to a person who is exempted from the application of Chapter 9 by Section 7044 or 7048 of the Business and Professions Code. The person shall furnish proof of the facts, which entitle the person to the exemption;

5. Additionally, no permit shall be issued to any person required by this title of this code to have a business license, and/or to pay a contractor's license tax, until such license is obtained, and tax paid.

(Ord. 2025-10, 11/18/2025)

Any permit issued pursuant to any chapter in this title shall not be transferable to any person, business, or corporation.

(Ord. 2025-10, 11/18/2025)