General Contractors

City of Columbus registered general contractors are permitted to perform Construction of all new structures or buildings and structural additions, alterations or repairs to existing commercial or multi-family dwellings.

City of Columbus registered general contractors are permitted to perform the following scopes of work:

• Construction of all new structures or buildings (excluding accessory structures and garages for existing structures that contain 1, 2 or 3 family dwellings).
• Structural additions, alterations or repairs to existing commercial or multi-family dwellings and accessory structures or buildings. Multi-family buildings are defined as any structure that contains 4 or more dwelling units.
• Coordinate and manage the modification, alteration, or repair of existing 1, 2 and 3 family dwellings. The general contractor is required to subcontract all work to City of Columbus licensed home improvement, mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors that will perform the work with their own hands or see that the work is properly accomplished under their direct supervision.

Please Note: Contractors who wish to perform structural work on existing 1, 2 and 3 family dwellings (including construction of garages or accessory structures) must be licensed as a City of Columbus home improvement contractor. Please see the Home Improvement Contractor section for more information.

The City of Columbus does not currently require board approval for general contractors. However, general contractors may appear before the Board of Home Improvement and General Contractors for the following reasons:

1. Adjudications
2. Due process complaints (filed against or by the contractor.)