0212-535 (MISC)'k, a
OWNER/BUILDER INFORMATION
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.
For your protection you should be aware that as "Owner/ Builder" you are the responsible party of record on such a
permit. Building permits are not required to be signed by property owners unless they are personally performing their
own work. If your work is being performed by someone other than yourself, you may protect yourself from possible
liability if that person applies for the proper permit in his or her name.
Contractors are required by law to be licensed and bonded by the State of California and to have a business license
from the City or County. They are also required by law' to put theirlicense number on, all permits for which they
apply.
If you plan to do your own work, with the exception of various trades that you plan to subcontract, you should be
aware of the following information for your benefit and protection:
If you employ or otherwise engage any persons other than your immediate family, and the work (including materials
and other costs) is $200.00 or more for the entire project, and such persons are not licensed as contractors or
subcontractors, then you may be an employer.
If you are an employer, you must register with the State and Federal Government as an employer -and you are subject
to several -obligations including, State and Federal income tax- withholding,_federal social security taxes, worker's
' compensation insurance, disability insurance costs and unemployment compensarion contributions.
There may. be financial risks for you if you do not carry out these obligations, and these risks are especially serious with
respect to worker's compensation insurance.
For more specific information about your obligations under Federal Law, contact the Internal Revenue Service (and, if
you wish, the U.S. Small Business Adminstration). For more specific information about your obligations under Stair
Law, contact the Department of Benefit Payments and the Division of Industrial Accidents.
If the structure is intended for sale, property owners who are not licensed contractors are allowed to perform their
work personally or through their own employees, without a licensed contractor or subcontractor, only under limited
conditions.
A frequent practice of unlicensed persons professing to be contractors'is to secure an "Owner/ Builder" building
permit, erroneously implying that the property owner is providing his or her own labor and material personally.
Building permits are not required to be signed by property owners unless they are performing 'their own work
personally.
Information about licensed contractors may be obtained by contacting the Contractors' State License Board in your
community or at 1020 N. Street, Sacramento, California 95814. - i
Please complete and return the enclosed owner -builder verification form so that we can confirm that you are aware of
these matters. The building permit will not be issued until the verification is returned.
Very truly yours,
CITY OF LA QUINTA
DEPT. OF BUILDING AND SAFETY
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760)777-7012 '
FAK V�O) 777-7011
OWNER'S SIGNATURE/DATE
PROPERTY ADDRESS
PERMIT NUMBER(s)