Before advertising, signing contracts, or performing any contracting work within the City of Punta Gorda, you must hold the appropriate license and be registered in the City of Punta Gorda. All contractors are required to obtain both a City of Punta Gorda Certificate of Competency and State Certification to ensure compliance with both local and state regulations. This guide is based on the City of Punta Gorda Code of Ordinances, Chapter 7 – Building Regulations, Article II: Building Contractors. The City licenses contractors to ensure that contractors are properly licensed by the State and registered with the City, that work performed within the City is completed by qualified contractors, and that construction activity complies with applicable local and state regulations.

Important Notice

Contractors who are not properly licensed by the State of Florida and registered with the City of Punta Gorda are not authorized to perform contracting work within the City.

The following link may be used to verify whether a contractor holds a State of Florida license with Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).

MyFloridaLicense.com – License efficiently. Regulate fairly.

The following link may be used to verify whether a contractor is registered with the City of Punta Gorda.
(This tool is for verification purposes only; no registrations or renewals may be submitted online for building contractor licensing.)

Business Tax Receipt/Contractor Competency Registration

If you are registering for a Certificate of Competency within the City of Punta Gorda, use this guide to help you through the process. 

NEW CONTRACTOR LICENSE - Required DOCUMENTS:

1. Contractor Registration Form:

This form must be completed, signed, and notarized by the license holder. Please ensure the form is signed in the presence of a notary so that the signature date and notarization date are the same.

C of C registration - rev 20220001

2.Identification:

Provide a clear copy of the applicant's State of Florida driver's license or State of Florida identification card. 

3. Insurance Requirements:

Show proof of insurance in the following amounts: bodily injury liability, three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000); property damage, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). 

4. State license / Certificate of Competency Issued by Florida Municipality:

Provide a clear copy of applicants current license issued by the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation or a current Certificate of Competency issued by a Florida Municipality.

5. Payment of required fees:  Sec. 7-12. Application and Fees for a Certificate of Competency.

(a) The fee for a Certificate of Competency for a State Registered or Specialty Contractor shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) payable annually on or before September 30 of each year. Certificates not renewed on or before September 30 shall be considered delinquent fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). State Certified Contractors are also required to register annually for a Certificate of Competency but at no charge per State law. Payment of such fee(s) shall not relieve any applicant from the requirement to pay the Local Business Tax imposed by section 12-1 of this Code. The fee for a contractor who engages in business as a building contractor, as defined herein, prior to obtaining a Certificate of Competency shall be three hundred dollars ($300.00) payable at the time of application. All applicants for certificates under this Chapter shall apply to the Building Official by executing and filing the required application form at the office of the Building Division and paying the required fee. The application shall contain information as to name, qualifications, financial and business reference, place of business, residence of applicant and shall be notarized.

Contractors who hold a Certificate of Competency shall also be required to provide current certificates of insurance for workers’ compensation and general liability with their registration form as well as provide updated certificates upon expiration of same.

Authorized Agents:

Authorized agents must be added as delegates by the license holder on the contractor account to act on their behalf once permissions have been granted.

Renewal Notices

All Certificates of Competency issued shall expire on September 30 of each year. Renewal notices are emailed out annually to the email recorded on file for the contractor or the file below can be used.

                                           Contractor Yearly Renewal

Inactive Accounts

Your Certificate of Competency must be in Active status. Please note that if your business or contractor license is not renewed for the current fiscal year, your license may be expired, or may not be active in the  database. You will need to  contact the Building Department to address any issues with the status of your license. Permits will not be processed for inactive contractors.

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