§ 3.304. On-site utility contractor's license.

(a)

On-site Utility Work. Unless a person is a licensed master plumber or holds a valid current on-site utility contractor's license issued by Howard County, a person shall not engage in on-site utility work.

(b)

Application for On-site Utility Contractor's License; Renewal of License. An application for an on-site utility contractor license or renewal of an on-site utility contractor license shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction on a form provided by the authority having jurisdiction. The original application shall be accompanied by the following items:

(1)

The applicable fee;

(2)

The Applicant's name, home and business addresses, and phone numbers;

(3)

The name under which the business is conducted;

(4)

Required evidence of experience; and

(5)

Any required references.

(c)

Fees for On-site Contractor's Licenses. The fee for an on-site utility contractor's license shall be pursuant to the fee schedule adopted by resolution of the County Council.

(d)

Duration of On-site Utility Contractor's License. Each on-site utility contractor's license granted pursuant to this subtitle shall be issued for a period of up to one year and shall expire on July 31 of each year. An application for renewal shall be filed with the authority having jurisdiction.

(e)

Prerequisites for Granting of On-site Utility Contractor's License. An on-site utility contractor's license shall be issued to an individual or an official of a company, firm, or corporation, if the person:

(1)

Certifies, under penalty of perjury, to having liability insurance coverage, including completed operations, for bodily injury in the amount of at least $300,000.00 and for property damage in the amount of at least $100,000.00, recertification of which is required for renewal of the license; and

(2)

Holds a valid and current on-site utility contractor's license (or equivalent) issued by another Maryland jurisdiction or has had at least two years of experience, acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

(f)

License; Addresses; Exhibits. Every licensed Howard County on-site utility contractor shall notify the authority having jurisdiction of any change of address. An on-site utility contractor shall not allow their name to be used by another person, firm, company or corporation for the purpose of obtaining a permit or for doing work authorized under this license. A person holding an on-site utility contractor's license shall exhibit it upon request when engaged in work authorized under the license.

(g)

Suspension and Revocation of On-site Utility Contractor's License.

(1)

Grounds for suspension or revocation. An on-site utility contractor's license shall be suspended or revoked because of:

(i)

Fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in obtaining an on-site utility contractor's license or permit;

(ii)

Gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct in the performance of on-site utility work;

(iii)

A violation of the Howard County Plumbing and Gasfitting Code or of a regulation adopted pursuant to this subtitle;

(iv)

An unfair or deceptive trade practice as defined in title 13, subtitle 3 of the commercial law article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; or

(v)

Selling, lending or otherwise permitting any improper use of an on-site utility contractor's license or permit.

(2)

Procedure. If the Building Official finds grounds for revocation or suspension of a license, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the authority having jurisdiction shall issue a written order:

(i)

Suspending the on-site utility contractor's license for a specific period of time after which the license shall automatically be reinstated; or

(ii)

Revoking the on-site utility contractor's license, stating whether or not future reinstatement is possible, and stipulating that no application for reinstatement will be processed until six months from the date of revocation.

(3)

Appeals. Within 30 days of the date of the decision, a person aggrieved by a decision of the authority having jurisdiction to revoke, deny, suspend or approve any on-site utility contractor's license may appeal the decision to the Howard County Board of Appeals Hearing Examiner pursuant to the procedures set forth in title 16, subtitle 3 of the Howard County Code.

(C.B. 54, 2004)