HomeMy WebLinkAboutOwner Builder Declaration EDITNotice to Property Owner
City of Bakersfield
Development Services
Building Division
1715 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 326-3720
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER
PROPERTY ADDRESS: ______________________________________
PERMIT NUMBER: __________________________________________
Dear Property Owner:
An application for a building permit has been submitted in your name listing yourself as the
builder of the property improvements specified at________________________________________.
We are providing you with an Owner-Builder Acknowledgment and Information Verification
Form to make you aware of your responsibilities and possible risk you may incur by having this
permit issued in your name as the Owner-Builder.
We will not issue a building permit until you have read, initialed your understanding of each
provision, signed, and returned this form to us at our official address indicated. An agent of the
owner cannot execute this notice unless you, the property owner, obtain the prior approval of the
permitting authority.
OWNER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION
DIRECTIONS: Read and initial each statement below to signify that you understand or verify this
information.
_____1. I understand a frequent practice of unlicensed persons is to have the property owner
obtain an “Owner-Builder” building permit that erroneously implies that the property owner is
providing his or her own labor and material personally. I, as an Owner-Builder, may be held liable
and subject to serious financial risk for any injuries sustained by an unlicensed person and his or her
employees while working on my property. My homeowner’s insurance may not provide coverage for
those injuries. I am willfully acting as an Owner-Builder and am aware of the limits of my insurance
coverage for injuries to workers on my property.
_____2. I understand building permits are not required to be signed by property owners unless they
are responsible for the construction and are not hiring a licensed Contractor to assume this
responsibility.
_____3. I understand as an “Owner-Builder” I am the responsible party of record on the permit. I
understand that I may protect myself from potential financial risk by hiring a licensed Contractor and
having the permit filed in his or her name instead of my own.
_____4. I understand Contractors are required by law to be licensed and bonded in California and
to list their license numbers on permits and contracts.
_____5. I understand if I employ or otherwise engage any persons, other than California licensed
Contractors, and the total value of my construction is at least five hundred dollars ($500), including
labor and materials, I may be considered an “employer” under state and federal law.
_____6. I understand if I am considered an “employer” under state and federal law, I must register
with the state and federal government, withhold payroll taxes, provide workers’ compensation
disability insurance, and contribute to unemployment compensation for each “employee”. I also
understand my failure to abide by these laws may subject me to serious financial risk.
22-30000035
01/25/23
_____7. I understand under California Contractors’ State License Law, an Owner-Builder who
builds single-family residential structures cannot legally build them with the intent to offer them for
sale, unless all work is performed by licensed subcontractors and the number of structures does not
exceed four within any calendar year, or all of the work is performed under contract with a licensed
general building Contractor.
_____8. I understand as an Owner-Builder if I sell the property for which this permit is issued, I may
be held liable for any financial or personal injuries sustained by any subsequent owner(s) that result
from any latent construction defects in the workmanship or materials.
_____9. I understand I may obtain more information regarding my obligations as an “employer”
from the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Small Business Administration, the California
Department of Benefit Payments, and the California Division of Industrial Accidents. I also
understand I may contact the California Contractors’ State License Board (CSLB) at 1 -800-321-
CSLB (2752) or www.cslb.ca.gov for more information about licensed contractors.
_____10. I am aware of and consent to an Owner-Builder building permit applied for in my name,
and understand that I am the party legally and financially responsible for proposed construction
activity at the following address:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____11. I agree that, as the party legally and financially responsible for this proposed construction
activity, I will abide by all applicable laws and requirements that govern Owner-Builders as well as
employers.
_____12. I agree to notify the issuer of this form immediately of any additions, deletions, or changes
to any of the information I have provided on this form.
Licensed contractors are regulated by laws designed to protect the public. If you contract with
someone who does not have a license, the Contractors’ State License Board may be unable to
assist you with any financial loss you may sustain as a result of a complaint. Your only remedy
against unlicensed Contractors may be in civil court. It is also important for you to understand that if
an unlicensed Contractor or employee of that individual or firm is injured while working on your
property, you may be held liable for damages. If you obtain a permit as Owner-Builder and wish to
hire Contractors, you will be responsible for verifying whether or not those Contractors are properly
licensed and the status of their workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Before a building permit can be issued, this form must be completed and signed by the property
owner and returned to the agency responsible for issuing the permit.
Note: A copy of the property owner’s driver’s license, form notarization, or other verification
acceptable to the agency is required to be presented when the permit is issued to verify the property
owner’s signature.
Print name:________________________________________
Signature of property owner: ________________________________________
Date: ________________
Notice to Property Owner
22-30000035
01/25/23