§ 18-72. Qualifying agent for business organization.

If an applicant proposes to or does engage in contracting as a business organization, or in any name other than the applicant's legal name (or a fictitious name where the applicant is doing business as a sole proprietorship), the following requirements apply:

(a)

The business organization must apply for and obtain a certificate of competency through a qualifying agent.

(b)

The application for the qualifying agent must include an affidavit attesting that the applicant has final approval authority for all construction work performed in the county and final approval authority on all business matters, including contracts, specifications, checks, drafts or payments, regardless of the form of payment, made by the entity.

(c)

No person can act as the qualifying agent for more one business entity without the approval of the building official, who will determine through review of the person's finances, verifiable professional history, and other relevant factors, whether the public's interest may be harmed by the person acting as the agent for more than one entity. This determination may be appealed to the Pasco County Construction Board.

(d)

Change in affiliation. When a contractor acting as qualifying agent for a business entity ceases affiliation with the business entity, he must notify the building official immediately. If this qualifying agent is the only licensed individual affiliated with the business entity, then the business entity must employ another qualifying agent within 60 days after the qualifying agent terminates the affiliation. Under no circumstances can a business entity contract without a qualifying agent. A qualifying agent is not responsible for a predecessor's actions, but is responsible, even after a change in status, for matters that occurred while he was acting as qualifying agent.

(Ord. No. 07-20, § 1, 9-11-07)