Council clarifies contractor-licensing rules and appeals process; contractors urge balance

The Laramie City Council on Nov. 4 approved Original Ordinance 21-14 on second reading, amending Laramie Municipal Code Chapter 15.24 to clarify language about general contractor licensing, the years/experience expected for each license class, and the appeals process. Director Teany explained the ordinance primarily clarifies that appeals should go to the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals and that experience must include work within the license class requested; the ordinance does not increase the years required for licensure. The motion carried 8-0 with Councilor Bowling absent.

Director Teany told the council the amendments were intended to ensure license holders have relevant experience “within the class that they are requesting,” which aligns licensing to practical competency. Teany said the numbers of years required were adopted earlier when the city first established contractor licensing and vary regionally; the changes clarify how experience is applied rather than lengthening requirements.

Contractor- and business-community testimony reflected mixed concerns. Brett Glass (online) said additional restrictions would raise barriers to new contractors, worsen local shortages and increase housing costs. Johnny Vasquez, a local general contractor, defended licensing standards and said licensing improves safety and accountability; he said prior periods without a license regime led to inconsistent outcomes for the public. Brad Enzi, CEO of the Chamber Business Alliance, said clear standards are valuable and provide a predictable path to licensure.

Council members discussed outreach and the city’s planned contractor meeting Dec. 12 to review building codes and solicit feedback from local contractors. Several councilors said they were open to considering refinements based on contractor input but favored maintaining class-specific experience requirements to protect public safety and quality of work. The city clerk clarified that an earlier emergency ordinance had been approved at a prior meeting but lacked the seven votes required under state statute to enact; this vote completes the second-reading process.

The ordinance clarifies appeals, aligns experience to license class, and keeps existing year requirements in place; it will be administered under Laramie’s contractor-licensing procedures and could be discussed further at contractor outreach meetings.