As I stated before, that information comes direct from the California Contractors State Licensing board website.
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/ReportUnlicensedActivity/WhatIsIllegalContractorActivity.asp
The state site is who says it. If they are the ones enforcing the license, and they are the ones who say that $500 or more is considered illegal for an unlicensed contractor, then you need to take up your nitpicking with THE STATE and how they represent that on their site. I only reported the information that I got from a reputable state-sanctioned site.
No need to highlight your precious website. I knew precisely where you came up with that notion. You GOOGLED it and took if for gospel.
But I did not ask for a website, I asked you to cite LEGAL AUTHORITY, because what you glommed on to is not California law!
The licensing regulations pertaining to contractors are not contained in a stupid website composed by some clock watching, underling state employee.
They are embodied in
Chapter 9 of the Cal. B&P Code. And those laws speak nothing whatsoever ABOUT DOLLAR LIMITS. Neither with regard to the criminal penalties * or the prohibition against unlicensed persons seeking compensation for construction work. **
Such would be contrary to the state legislative purpose in enacting such regulatory statutes. ***.
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[*]
“Section 7028. [In part] It is a misdemeanor for a person to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor within this state without having a license therefor, . . . . . . . . (b) A first conviction for the offense described in this section is punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. . . . . “
[**] “Section 7031. [In part] (a) Except as provided in subdivision (e), no person engaged in the business or acting in the capacity of a contractor, may bring or maintain any action, or recover in law or equity in any action, in any court of this state for the collection of compensation for the performance of any act or contract where a license is required by this chapter without alleging that he or she was a duly licensed contractor at all times during the performance of that act or contract, . . . . . ““
[***] Section 145. The Legislature finds and declares that: (a) Unlicensed activity in the professions and vocations regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs is a threat to the health, welfare, and safety of the people of the State of California. (b) The law enforcement agencies of the state should have sufficient, effective, and responsible means available to enforce the licensing laws of the state. (c) The criminal sanction for unlicensed activity should be swift, effective, appropriate, and create a strong incentive to obtain a license."
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