1.   No person shall engage in the activity or represent themselves to the public as engaging in the activity of plumbing work, electrical work, mechanical work, or building construction without obtaining a proper license from the State.

   2.   Exceptions:

      A.   An owner or occupant of a single-family dwelling performing electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work on the interior of said dwelling unit is not required to be licensed by the State pursuant to Chapters 103 and 105 of the Code of Iowa. The owner or occupant, however, shall prove competency as required per Chapter 155.

      B.   Any person performing building construction is not required to be licensed by the State but must still however meet the provisions of this chapter.

   Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates a different intention, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the following meanings:

   1.   “Building construction” means any work performed on new or existing structures by means of constructing, enlarging, installing, altering, repairing, replacing, moving, removing, maintaining, and demolishing any structural and non-structural element, fixture, or component as regulated by the adopted Building Code.

   2.   “Building contractor” means any corporation, company, firm, partnership, or person in the business of contracting or offering to contract with any property owner the services of building construction.

   3.   “Electrical work” means all installations, alterations, repairs, replacements, connections, disconnections, and maintenance of electrical wiring and equipment connected to an electrical power source. No person shall engage in the work or practice the trade of installing, altering, maintaining, or repairing any electrical equipment within the scope of the Electrical Code without meeting the provisions of Chapter 103 of the Code of Iowa and this chapter.

   4.   “Mechanical work” means all installations, alterations, repairs, replacements, connections, disconnections, and maintenance of mechanical systems and equipment. No person shall engage in the work or practice the trade of installing, altering, maintaining, or repairing any mechanical equipment or system within the scope of the Mechanical Code without meeting the provisions of Chapter 105 of the Code of Iowa and this chapter.

   5.   “Owner or occupant” means one who owns or occupies an existing property no larger than a single-family dwelling. An owner or occupant shall qualify for the homestead tax in order to be considered exempt from Section 160.01.

   6.   “Plumbing work” means all installations, alterations, repairs, replacements, connections, disconnections, and maintenance of plumbing systems and equipment. No person shall engage in the work or practice the trade of installing, altering, maintaining, or repairing any plumbing equipment or system within the scope of the Plumbing Code without meeting the provisions of Chapter 105 of the Code of Iowa and this chapter.