ORS 701.325: Condition for obtaining building permit; information notice; business licenses; local regulation.

(1) If a person is required under this chapter to be licensed as a contractor, a city, county or state agency may not issue the person a building permit unless the person has a current, valid contractor license properly endorsed for the work to be performed. A city, county or state agency that requires the issuance of a permit for the construction, alteration, improvement, demolition, movement or repair of a building, structure or appurtenances to a structure shall, as a condition for issuing the permit, require the applicant for a permit to file a written statement signed by the applicant. If the applicant is a contractor, the contractor shall provide the contractor’s license number and state that the license is in full force and effect. If the applicant is exempt from licensing under this chapter, the applicant shall state the basis for the exemption. The city, county or state agency shall list the contractor’s license number on the permit issued to that contractor. (2) If the applicant for a building permit is exempt from licensure under ORS 701.010 (6), the city, county or state agency shall supply the applicant with an Information Notice to Property Owners About Construction Responsibilities. The city, county or state agency may not issue a building permit for a residential structure to the applicant until the applicant signs a statement in substantially the following form: ______________________________________________________________________________ (a) I have read and understand the Information Notice to Property Owners About Construction Responsibilities; and (b) I own, reside in or will reside in the completed dwelling. My residential general contractor is _________, Construction Contractors Board license no. _____, license expiration date _____. I will instruct my contractor that all subcontractors who work on this dwelling must be licensed with the Construction Contractors Board and properly endorsed for the work to be performed; or (c) I am performing work on property I own, a residence that I reside in or a residence that I will reside in. (d) I will be my own contractor and, if I hire contractors, I will hire only contractors licensed with the Construction Contractors Board and properly endorsed for the work to be performed. (e) If I change my mind and do hire a residential general contractor, I will contract with a contractor who is licensed with the Construction Contractors Board and properly endorsed for the work to be performed. I will immediately notify the office issuing this building permit of the name and license number of the contractor _________. ______________________________________________________________________________ (3) The Construction Contractors Board shall adopt by rule a form titled “Information Notice to Property Owners About Construction Responsibilities” that clearly describes in everyday language the responsibilities property owners are undertaking by acting as their own contractor and the problems that could develop. The responsibilities described in the form shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Compliance with state and federal laws regarding Social Security tax, income tax and unemployment tax. (b) Workers’ compensation insurance on workers. (c) Liability and property damage insurance. (4) The board shall develop and furnish to city, county and state building permit offices, at no cost to the offices, the Information Notice to Property Owners About Construction Responsibilities and the statement to be signed by the permit applicant. (5) A city or county that requires a business license for engaging in a business subject to regulation under this chapter shall require that the licensee or applicant for issuance or renewal of the business license file, or have on file, with the city or county, a signed statement that the licensee or applicant is licensed under this chapter. (6) The provisions of this chapter are exclusive and a city, county or other political subdivision may not require or issue any registrations, licenses or surety bonds, nor charge any fee for the regulatory or surety registration of any contractor licensed with the board. This subsection does not affect the authority of a city, county or political subdivision to: (a) License and levy and collect a general and nondiscriminatory license fee levied upon all businesses or upon business conducted by any firm within the city, county or political subdivision; (b) Require a contractor to pay a fee, post a bond or require insurance when the city, county or political subdivision is contracting for the services of the contractor; or (c) Regulate a contractor that is not required to be licensed under this chapter. [2007 c.114 §2; 2007 c.836 §16a]