Contractor Tracking Certificates

Are you a contractor and you have been hired for a job inside of the City limits? Or maybe you’re a resident and your thinking about hiring someone to perform work and provide a service at your residence. On August 6, 1990 the Mary Esther City Council passed ordinance 90-15 requiring the registration of contractors who provide a service or perform work inside of the City limits. The registration is called a contractor tracking certificate and is otherwise known as a CTC or contractor registration.

Registration is required each year running with the City’s fiscal year of October 1 through September 30. Once registered, a contractor must renew his or her registration with the City prior to September 30th of each year for as long as the contractor continues to do business in the City limits.

What’s The Purpose?

In order to protect City residents from acts of illegal contracting such as unlicensed contractors, uninsured contractors and contractors that have not complied with the States workers compensation laws, the ordinance establishes specific requirements that all contractors must adhere to in order to do business in the City.

Where Does The Authority To Require Registration Come From?

Per City Code 13-26 (a) and Florida Statute 489.127 (1)(i), all service contractors, specialty contractors and construction industry contractors, whether state certified or not, shall be required to purchase a city tracking certificate and obtain the necessary permits from the building official or his agent prior to commencement of any work within the City.

Which Contractors Require Registration?

Any contractor doing business in the City limits must be registered. Examples of contractors include but are not limited to:
Air conditioning, HVAC, Electrical and alarm systems, Fire sprinkler installation, General, building, residential, and specialty contractors, Grading, paving, asphalt and concrete, Landscaping and lawn maintenance, Mechanical, Painting, Plumbing, Pressure washing, Roofing, Sheet metal, Siding and window replacement, Swimming pool and spa, Underground utility, Well drilling and lawn sprinkler systems, and all other contractors.

How Much Does It Cost To Register?

The registration fee is $20.00 each year and must be renewed by September 30th. Please make checks payable to City of Mary Esther.

What Are The Penalties For Not Registering?

The fine for unregistered contracting practices is $250.00. A contractor found operating without registration is subject to an immediate citation and may also be summoned to appear before the City’s Special Magistrate and face additional fines up to $2,000.00 per offense, administrative fees and other enforcement actions.

Additionally, any person found in violation for unregistered contracting is subject to enforcement under Florida Statute 489.127 and may be charged with a First Degree Misdemeanor for a first offense and a Third Degree Felony for a repeat offense.

How Can I Verify If A Contractor Is Registered?

You may verify a contractor registration by calling 850-243-3566 Ext.1 or access the list of by clicking HERE. The registered contractor list is updated as new contractors become registered or expired contractors renew their registrations. While every effort is made to keep the registration list current, if you believe there is an error or you do not see a contractor listed, please call the phone number above for verification.

How Do I Register?

Please complete and return the Contractor Tracking Certificate application below. Documents needed to process the application are:

A copy of your current driver’s license or other State or government issued ID
A copy of your current State issued license(s) in your respective trade (if applicable)
A copy of your current workers compensation certificate or exemption
A certificate of liability insurance with the City of Mary Esther listed as the certificate holder
A copy of your Okaloosa County Competency License if you are a State Registered Contractor or hold a local competency license
Proof of current registration with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations (SUNBIZ)

Contractor Tracking Certificate Application (PDF)

For Questions or Additional Information, Contact:
850-243-3566 Ext.1
Email Licences
195 N Christobal Road
Mary Esther, FL 32569