Authority definitions used across AskBaily pillars
Every AskBaily Tier-1 pillar cites regulatory authorities by name. Below are the canonical AskBaily definitions of each — what they regulate, how to verify, and how Baily uses them to filter contractors before routing you to a match.
California's state-level contractor regulator since 1929. License classes A, B, B-2, and C-specialty. Every California contractor ≥$500 contract must have an active CSLB number.
California's building-energy code (California Energy Commission). 2025 update doubled down on electrification. Prescriptive vs performance compliance paths. Every California remodel addition triggers it.
NYC's permit + building-safety regulator since 1892. DOB NOW + BIS lookup portals, Alt Type 1/2/3 permits, Local Laws 97/11/152. HIC licensing happens at DCWP, not DOB — easy trap.
Arizona's dual-track contractor regulator (ARS Title 32 Ch. 10). Residential + commercial are SEPARATE license classes. Recovery Fund gives homeowners a statutory backstop against licensed-contractor fraud.
UK statute governing notice + consent + dispute-resolution for building works affecting a party wall or within 3m/6m of a neighbour's structure. Sections 1/2/6 all trigger regularly on London extensions, loft conversions, and basement excavations — runs in parallel with Planning + Building Control.
Washington's contractor registration + workers' comp agency. Uses REGISTRATION (not exam-based licensure) with mandatory $12K/$6K bonds for General vs Specialty contractors, verifiable live at ProtectMyHome. Seattle SDCI permits won't issue to an unregistered contractor.
NSW's builder-licensing + HBCF-insurance + Home Building Act 1989 regulator. Mandatory Home Building Compensation Fund certificate for work ≥A$20K — structural insurance-backed homeowner protection Angi/Thumbtack don't replicate because they don't operate in Australia.
Florida's state contractor-licensing board under DBPR. Certified (statewide) vs Registered (county-only) distinction is a major verification trap. HVHZ High-Velocity Hurricane Zone overlay for Miami-Dade + Broward adds NOA product + installer-certification requirements.
Singapore's construction regulator. CRS L1-L6 contractor grading + HDB renovation permit process + Fire Safety Certificate + Lift Escalator Safety Programme. HDB resale homeowners must use HDB-approved contractors — a standalone BCA license is insufficient.
UK statutory construction standards under Building Act 1984. Parts A–R with Part L (energy, 2025 Future Homes Standard) and Part P (electrical safety) most-referenced. Runs parallel to Planning Permission + Party Wall Act. Completion Certificate required for conveyancing.
Ontario's builder + vendor licensing regulator since 2021. Took over licensing from Tarion (which still handles statutory warranty separately). Ontario Builder Directory is the public verification tool. Applies to NEW home construction — renovation work falls to municipal licensing.
Dubai Municipality's Building Department + Trakheesi licensing platform + contractor Grade A–G classification. Decree 2 of 2020 restructured fit-out rules. Developer NOCs (Emaar, Nakheel, DAMAC) layer on top of DM permits. RTA for off-plot work, FTA for VAT-compliant invoicing.
Texas has NO state-level general contractor license — a structural distinction from California + Arizona. TDLR covers electrical + HVAC + AC/R specialty trades. TSBPE handles plumbing separately. City-level registration (Austin, Dallas, Houston) + RCLA consumer-protection law substitute for state GC licensure.