§ 105.0. Qualification, Registration And Licensing
105.1 General Registration Requirements
105.1.1
Except as provided in subsections 103.8.2 and 103.8.3 of Section 103.8, a person shall not direct or perform any plumbing or gas fitting work unless, either:
1.
He possesses a valid license covering the work performed issued pursuant to Chapter 9, Division 3, of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California; or
2.
He is a registered Plumbing or Gas Fitting Contractor, or a registered Journeyman Plumber or Gas Fitter, or an apprentice as hereinafter defined.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.1.2
Nothing contained in this Code shall be deemed to require registration of any person holding a valid State Contractor's License issued by the State of California. Permits as required by this Code may be issued to applicants possessing a valid State Contractor's License issued pursuant to Chapter 9, Division 3, of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California when such license includes within its classification limitations the activities set forth on the application for permit, and entitles the licensee to perform personally or through employees qualified and registered as required by this Code all such activities without further personal local qualification or registration.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.1.3
When an applicant for a Plumbing or Gas Fitting Contractor's Certificate of Registration having no valid contractor's license issued by the State of California has met the conditions imposed elsewhere in this Code and has filed an affidavit stating that no work will be performed pursuant to such Certificate in violation of Chapter 9, Division 3, of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, and the Board of Examiners so finds, the Chief Plumbing Inspector shall issue him a Certificate of Registration.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.1.4
Nothing contained in this Code shall be deemed to require registration of any apprentice.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2 Definitions
For the purpose of this Code and in addition to the definitions set forth in Chapter 2 of this Code, certain terms, phrases and words and their derivatives shall be construed as set out in this section. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular.
(Ord. 2007-0110 § 2 (part), 2007: Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2.1 Apprentice.
An apprentice means a person of employable age who is engaged in learning the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Trades in accordance with local standards, and who is covered by an apprentice agreement which has been approved by the local joint apprenticeship committee and registered with the California State Division of Apprenticeship Standards. An apprentice or other nonregistered person may do plumbing or gas fitting work only under the direct supervision and in the immediate presence of a registered plumber or gas fitter.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2.2 Certificate of Registration.
A certificate issued by the Chief Plumbing Inspector to qualified persons not otherwise regulated by the Business and Professions Code of the State of California stating that the holder thereof is entitled to act and serve in the unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles as a Plumbing, or Gas Fitting Contractor or as a Journeyman Plumber or Gas Fitter, as the case may be.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2.3 Gas Fitting Contractor.
A person who is engaged in the business of installing, altering or repairing gas piping, gas water heaters, gas water-heater vents or any part or parts thereof, who is not otherwise regulated by the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, and who does or who holds himself forth as willing to furnish materials and do personally or through employees qualified and registered as required by this Code any work or services in connection therewith in the unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles, and who is the legal possessor of a Gas Fitting Contractor's Certificate of Registration.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2.4 Journeyman Gas Fitter.
A person who installs, alters or repairs gas piping, gas water heaters, gas vents or any part or parts thereof as an employee, who does not furnish any materials or supplies, and who is the legal possessor of a Journeyman Gas Fitter's Certificate of Registration.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2.5 Journeyman Plumber.
A person who installs, alters or repairs plumbing as an employee, who does not furnish any materials or supplies, and who is the legal possessor of a Journeyman Plumber's Certificate of Registration.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.2.6 Plumbing Contractor.
A person who is engaged in the business of plumbing, or an individual who is in responsible charge of the installation and maintenance of plumbing for a specific employer, and who is not otherwise regulated by the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, and who does, or holds himself forth as willing to furnish materials and to do personally, or through employees or subordinates qualified and registered as required by this Code, any work or services in connection with the installation, alteration or repair of plumbing, or any part thereof, within the unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles, and who is the legal possessor of a Plumbing Contractor's Certificate of Registration.
(Ord. 2007-0110 § 2 (part), 2007: Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.3 Board of Examiners
105.3.1
A Board, to be designated as the Board of Examiners of Plumbers, and Gas Fitters of the County of Los Angeles, exists in the Building and Safety Division of the Department of Public Works. The Chief Plumbing Inspector shall act as secretary to said Board.
(Ord. 2007-0110 § 2 (part), 2007: Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.3.2
The Board of Examiners shall have five positions. A member of the Board of Examiners shall be appointed to a vacant position by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Supervisors.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.3.3
Each person who is a member of the Board of Examiners on the effective date of this amendment shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors for the remainder of his or her term of three years.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.3.4
The members of the Board of Examiners shall be two Plumbing Contractors, two Journeyman Plumbers, and one Mechanical Engineer, each of whom, except the Mechanical Engineer, shall have been actively engaged in the trade of plumbing in the unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles for a period of at least ten years prior to his or her appointment to said Board.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.4 Length of Service—Vacancy
The provisions of this section shall become applicable to a position on the Board of Examiners at the expiration of term of the member occupying that position on the effective date of this amendment.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.4.1
Each member of the Board of Examiners shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. Each position on the Board of Examiners shall become vacant every four years from the date this amendment becomes applicable to each position.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.4.2
A member's position on the Board of Examiners shall become vacant upon his or her death, resignation, or removal by the Board of Supervisors. In the case of such a vacancy, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a successor to serve until the position next becomes vacant under subsection 105.4.1 of this section.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.4.3
The provisions of Chapter 5.12 of the County Code shall not apply to the Board of Examiners.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.5 Rules of the Board of Examiners
The Board of Examiners shall adopt rules consistent with the ordinances of this County and with the statutes of this State governing applications and examinations. These rules shall be printed and available to the public. The Board of Examiners may from time to time alter or modify these rules.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.6 Meetings of the Board of Examiners
The Board of Examiners shall hold not less than one regular meeting each 90 days.
At a meeting at which a quorum is present, the expressed concurrent will or vote of a majority of those members of the Board of Examiners participating or voting, as the case may be, but in no event less than two, shall constitute the will or action of the Board.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.7 Duties of the Board of Examiners
105.7.1
It shall be the duty of the Board of Examiners to give, in such a manner as it may deem proper, such examinations as are required by the terms of this Code.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.7.2
It shall be the duty of the Board of Examiners to examine each applicant to determine his qualification in the classification applied for and to certify to the Chief Plumbing Inspector all applicants who have passed a satisfactory examination. In lieu of examination, the Board shall authorize the Chief Plumbing Inspector to accept as proof of an applicant's competency a valid Certificate of Registration issued pursuant to examination of any other agency within the State of California giving an examination, the scope and character of which, in the opinion of the Board, is at least equal to that given by the Los Angeles County Board of Examiners of Plumbers.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.7.3
The Board shall compile and keep current a list of agencies maintaining satisfactory examination and qualification procedures. This list shall be reviewed and brought up to date at least once each year. A copy of said list shall be kept on file in the office of the Chief Plumbing Inspector.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.7.4
It shall be the duty of the Board of Examiners of Plumbers and the Chief Plumbing Inspector to carefully consider any written charges, filed in the manner provided for in this Code, against any holder of a Certificate of Registration at its first regular meeting after the filing of such charges. The Board of Examiners shall render prompt decision in all cases of this kind.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.8 Issuance of Certificate of Registration
When an applicant for a Plumber's or Gas Fitter's Certificate of Registration shall have made payment of the fee prescribed by Section 105.11 hereof, shall have appeared before the Board of Examiners, and shall have passed a satisfactory examination, or is the legal possessor of an equivalent credential, the Board of Examiners shall certify him to the Chief Plumbing Inspector, who shall issue to him a Certificate of Registration for the classification in which he was qualified.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.9 Failure to Appear or to Pass Examination
105.9.1
Any applicant who fails to appear for examination after being duly notified, or any applicant who fails to pass a satisfactory examination, may reapply for examination after the expiration of 30 days. Should such person fail to pass the second time the Board may refuse a third application for examination from the said applicant until after the expiration of six months from the date of the first examination.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.9.2
When an applicant has failed to appear for examination after being duly notified, or when an applicant has failed to pass and reapplies for examination as provided for in this Section, a new application shall be filed and a new fee charged.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.10 Extension by Reason of Military Service
When the holder of a Plumber's or Gas Fitter's Certificate of Registration has joined any branch of the Federal armed services he may apply within ninety (90) days after his discharge for extension of this Certificate without further examination or fee. He shall submit evidence of his date of entry into and discharge from such Federal service. Said extension shall date from the first day of the month following discharge and shall be valid for the same number of months for which it would have been valid had the certificate holder not entered the Federal service.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.11 Certificate Fees*
Each applicant for a Certificate of Registration shall pay to the Department of Public Works the following fees at the time he files his application thereof:
For a Plumbing, or Gas Fitting Contractor's Certificate of Registration $94.60 For a Journeyman Plumber's or Gas Fitter's Certificate of Registration $75.50 (Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
* Editor's note: Fee changes in this section were made by the director of public works due to increases in the Consumer Price Index and are effective July 1, 2018.
105.12 Refund of Fees
105.12.1
When an applicant fails to take the examination for good cause shown, he may apply for and receive a refund of 80 percent of his application fee.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.12.2
When an application for any Certificate has been filed in error, the applicant may apply for and receive a refund of 80 percent of his application fee.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.13 Duties of Holders of Certificate of Registration
105.13.1
It shall be the duty of every holder of a Certificate to comply with all requirements of this and all other ordinances of the County of Los Angeles and all laws and legal rulings of the State of California which apply to plumbing and drainage work.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.13.2
Every registered Plumber and Gas Fitter shall carry with him his Certificate of Registration and shall exhibit it whenever requested to do so by authorized persons at all times during which he is engaged in any activity for which such Certificate is required.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.13.3
It shall be the duty of every holder of a Certificate of Registration to notify the Chief Plumbing Inspector of any change in the address or place of business named and contained in such person's Certificate within five days after the same shall have been changed.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.14 Charges Against Holders of Certificate of Registration
105.14.1
Any person may file with the Board of Examiners or the Chief Plumbing Inspector written charges against the holder of any Certificate of Registration. Such charges shall state in detail the nature and substance of the matters charged, and must be signed with the full name and correct address of the person making the charge.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.14.2
Should the Chief Plumbing Inspector find that the holder of any Certificate of Registration has willfully violated any of the provisions of this or any other related statute governing the installation, alteration or repair of plumbing or drainage system or parts thereof in the unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles, he may at his discretion suspend or revoke the Certificate. No permit required by this Code shall be issued to any person while his Certificate is so suspended, and no application for reinstatement shall be filed by any person whose Certificate has been revoked before the expiration of six months from the date of such revocation. Certificates of Registration are not transferrable from one person to another, and the lending of any Certificate or the obtaining of permits thereunder for another person shall be deemed cause for revocation.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.14.3
Should the Chief Plumbing Inspector find that any Certificate of Registration has been obtained by fraud, he shall immediately revoke such Certificate.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.14.4
The Chief Plumbing Inspector shall not suspend or revoke any Certificate of Registration until he shall have given the holder hereof at least 10 days' written notice to appear and show cause why his Certificate should not be suspended or revoked. In showing such cause, he may be represented by an attorney and may introduce evidence.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.14.5
When the Chief Plumbing Inspector shall suspend or revoke any Certificate of Registration, no refund of fees shall be made to the holder thereof.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
105.15 Expiration and Renewal of Certificate and Licensing*
Every Certification of Registration provided for by this ordinance, unless sooner revoked, shall expire on June 30, biennially, and each such Certificate my be renewed on or before that date upon payment of the following renewal fees:
Biennial Plumbing, or Gas Fitting Contractor, or all
Journeymen$75.50 Reissuance to replace lost or damaged certificate $38.00 If the applicant for a Plumber's or Gas Fitter's Certificate of Registration has not been so registered for a consecutive period of one year, a certificate issued prior to such period shall not be sufficient upon which to base the renewal of such Certificate of Registration.
(Ord. 95-0068 § 3 (part), 1995.)
* Editor's note: Fee changes in this section were made by the director of public works due to increases in the Consumer Price Index and are effective July 1, 2018.