SB232 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Del Marsh
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: General contractor regulation, exemptions for residence and private dwellings may not be restricted by municipal governing or regulatory bodies, Sec. 34-8-7 am'd.
Summary: SB232 clarifies and broadens exemptions from Alabama's general contractor licensing, protecting owner-built projects and certain utility work from licensing, while refining subcontractor rules and limiting municipal interference.
What This Bill Does
The bill adds and clarifies exemptions from general contractor licensing, including construction of a residence or private dwelling and work by owners on their own property, with municipalities barred from restricting these exemptions. It also creates exemptions for emergency and routine maintenance work performed by utilities or their contractors under supervision of a licensed architect or engineer, and defines emergencies as situations where service restoration must occur within 60 days. Swimming pool contractors are generally excluded from the exemptions, except when a pool is being built on the owner's own property. It establishes new rules for subcontractors, such as paying half the licensing fees, no bid limits, required financial statements and references, and that licensing before starting work is required (though bidding can occur before licensure), with the license clearly denoting subcontractor status and no exam required. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Property owners and homeowners who build or improve their own property; they would be exempt from general contractor licensing for the specified projects (including residences and own-property work, and certain pool work on their property).
General contractors, subcontractors, utilities (electric, gas, telecommunications) and municipal authorities; they experience new or clarified licensing rules, subcontractor requirements, and limits on municipal regulation of exemptions.

Key Provisions
Exemption from general contractor licensing for the construction of a residence or private dwelling.
Exemption for work by an owner on their own property if the work meets the general contractor definition, with municipal restrictions on exemptions repealed if conflicting.
Municipalities cannot enact ordinances restricting or altering these exemptions; conflicting municipal ordinances are repealed.
Emergency and routine maintenance exemptions for utility work (electric, natural gas, telecommunications) performed under supervision of a licensed architect or engineer; emergencies defined as situations requiring completion within 60 days.
Routine maintenance exemptions for utilities and their general contractors/subcontractors.
Swimming pool contractors are generally excluded from these exemptions, except when building a pool on the owner's property which remains exempt.
Subcontractor rules: half the general contractor license fees, no bid limits, required financial statements and references, licensure required before starting work (but bidding can occur before licensure), license must denote subcontractor status, and no exam required for subcontractors.
Effective date: immediately after the governor signs the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: General Contractors, State Licensing Board for