Impact
WARD / COUNCILMEMBER: Ward / Citywide
$ IMPACT: N/A
Title
Approval of a code amendment to repeal Section 18-33 of Chapter 18 - Building and Building Regulations of the City's Code of Ordinance to remove the bonding requirements for general contractors and authorize the Mayor to review and sign all documents related thereto.
Ward / Citywide
Body
ISSUE AND BACKGROUND:
Community Development is recommending the removal of the requirement for a general contractor to have a $15,000 code compliance bond to conduct work in the City of Smyrna. General Contractors are licensed through the State and are required to carry insurance coverage as part of their licensure. The proposed amendment will eliminate the need for General Contractors to obtain a code compliance bond from an insurance agent prior to submitting for a building permit with the City of Smyrna. This amendment will save General Contractors the time to purchase the bond and the cost of the bond. This amendment will streamline permitting, as well as create efficiency within the Community Development Department.
Community Development has surveyed the other municipalities in Cobb County and no other municipality is requiring General Contractors to carry a code compliance bond to work in their jurisdiction. This amendment will bring Smyrna in line with other municipalities. The City of Smyrna has not had to use a Code Compliance Bond for any project in the last 15 years. With the elimination of the code compliance bond requirement, Community Development would require proof of insurance prior to the issuance of the building permit.
RECOMMENDATION / REQUESTED ACTION: Community Development recommends approval of a code amendment to repeal Section 18-33 of Chapter 18 - Building and Building Regulations of the City's Code of Ordinance to remove the bonding requirements for general contractors and authorize the Mayor to review and sign all documents related thereto.