B — General Building Contractor
Compliance obligations for California B (General Building Contractor) contractors. Keep every deadline tracked to stay licensed and avoid penalties.
Compliance Obligations
| Obligation | Agency | Cycle | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSLB Contractor License Renewal | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | 2 years | $450 |
| Contractor License Bond | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | continuous | $25,000 |
| Bond of Qualifying Individual | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | continuous | $25,000 |
| LLC Employee/Worker Bond | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | continuous | $100,000 |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance | Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) | annual | Varies by classification and payroll |
| Cal/OSHA: Permit required for demolition of any building, structure, or portion thereof | Cal/OSHA - Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) | annual | Varies |
| Cal/OSHA: Permit required for erection, climbing, and dismantling of tower cranes | Cal/OSHA - Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) | annual | Varies |
Cal/OSHA Permits Required
B contractors may need the following Cal/OSHA permits depending on project scope.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' comp is required for B contractors.
Mandatory date: 2028-01-01 (Phase 2). Contractors with employees must carry workers' compensation insurance at all times.
Scope of Work
View full statutory scope of work ▼
7057. (a) Except as provided in this section, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof. This does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of the work of the general building contractor. (b) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades. (c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the "C-16" Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the "C-57" Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor. (Amended by Stats. 1997, Chapter 812 (SB 857).) Fast Facts: What Jobs a "B" General Contractor Can/Cannot Perform
Track your B deadlines automatically.
PermitCal pre-loads every compliance deadline for B (General Building Contractor) contractors. Join the waitlist.
City Business Licenses
In addition to state requirements, you may need a city business license.