Tennessee § 62-6-503 - Local licensing prohibited — License number required for permitting — Treble damages.

§ 62-6-503. Local licensing prohibited — License number required for permitting — Treble damages.

No county or municipality of this state may require that any person obtain an additional authorization or license to transact a home improvement business in that county or city. Nothing contained in this subsection (a) prohibits counties, municipalities or metropolitan governments from requiring licenses for persons performing plumbing work, electrical work or gas and mechanical work. A license issued pursuant to this part may not be construed to authorize the licensee to perform any particular type of work or kind of business that is reserved to qualified licensees under separate state or local law. Nothing in this part may be construed to limit or restrict the power of a municipality or county to regulate the quality, performance or character of work of home improvement contractors, including a system of permits and inspections that are designed to secure compliance with and aid in the enforcement of applicable state and local building laws or to enforce other laws necessary for the protection of the public health and safety. Nothing in this part limits the power of a municipality or county to adopt any system of permits requiring submission to and approval by the municipality or county of plans and specifications for an installation prior to the commencement of construction of the installation or of inspection of work done; provided, that nothing in this section may be construed as authorizing a municipality or county to enact ordinances or regulations relating to the qualifications necessary to engage in the home improvement business. Nothing contained in this section prohibits counties, municipalities or metropolitan governments from requiring licenses for persons performing plumbing work, electrical work or gas and mechanical work. Except for a permit for any home improvement work to be performed by the owner of property, a municipality or county may not issue a permit for any home improvement work unless the permit lists each contractor's home improvement license number. Any person subject to this part who engages in construction or the home improvement business without a license shall, in any tort action arising out of the construction or home improvement business, be subject to the awarding of treble damages. Acts 2007, ch. 460, § 2.