AlabamaAlabama law exempts certain upkeep services from general contractor licensing
Alabama law exempts routine cleaning and residential pool work from general contractor licensing, and lets the licensing board decide which building upkeep qualifies.
What it does
Certain routine work on existing building systems and painted surfaces is exempt from general contractor licensing. The licensing board decides which maintenance, repair, or removal work qualifies.
Businesses providing routine landscaping, cleaning, and waste disposal are exempt from general contractor licensing for those services. The exemptions include pressure washing and floor cleaning.
People and businesses constructing or repairing residential swimming pools are exempt from general contractor licensing for that work. This provision does not address other licensing or permit rules.
Argument forThe cleaning exemption could help businesses avoid general contractor licensing paperwork when they provide routine janitorial services.
Argument againstExempt electrical and plumbing work could receive less oversight through general contractor licensing, even with the board deciding which work qualifies.
More detail
The law exempts certain routine maintenance, repair, or removal of existing building systems and paint from general contractor licensing. Covered work concerns existing building systems, including security, lighting, and plumbing systems, as well as existing paint on painted surfaces. The general contractor licensing board determines which work qualifies based on the size, frequency, and specialized nature of the work. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.
The law exempts routine landscaping, cleaning, and waste disposal services from general contractor licensing. Covered services include yard upkeep, pressure washing, and janitorial work such as cleaning and waxing floors. The exemptions apply to routine services. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.
The law exempts construction or repair of residential swimming pools from general contractor licensing. The exemption covers work on residential swimming pools. This provision concerns the general contracting law; it does not establish an exemption from other licensing or permit rules. The law took effect on October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 9EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 2Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1173. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1173Passed House
- Apr 2Ready to Enroll
- Apr 2EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 2Signature Requested
- Apr 2Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Commerce and Small Business)Minor
- Feb 26Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small BusinessMinor
- Feb 26Pending Committee Action in Second House (Commerce and Small Business)
- Feb 25Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 614. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 613. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Chambliss 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Feb 25Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 613Major
- Feb 25Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 614Passed Senate
- Feb 25Engrossed
- Feb 17Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 17Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (County and Municipal Government)Minor
- Feb 10Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentMinor
- Feb 10Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)Introduced
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