Examples of when you need a plumbing permit:
- Replacing an electric water heater (replacing a gas water heater requires a mechanical permit)
- Installing water service from meter to house, including irrigation backflow preventer
- Altering piping inside a wall, ceiling or beneath a floor (including removing and replacing a shower or bath tub)
- Installing or moving a garden hose bib or drinking fountain
- Installing new plumbing where it did not exist previously
- Installing or replacing any fixture or valve in a commercial kitchen or food service application
Examples of when you don't need a plumbing permit:
- Repairing or replacing sinks, toilets or faucets not concealed in a wall (except in commercial kitchens or food service) in a code-compliant manner
- Replacing a fixture with a similar fixture in the same location, such as sinks, toilets and faucets (except in commercial kitchens or food service)
- Repairing or replacing countertops, shower heads, rain gutters or downspouts
- Installing a water feature or exterior hot tub that is filled by a hose
Your project may require plan review. Examples of projects that require you to submit plumbing plans with your application include:
- New non-residential or mixed-use building
- New multifamily residential projects (three or more dwelling units per building)
- Roof drains and overflow systems
- Any work involving:
- Medical gas piping
- Commercial kitchens, food preparation, food service
- Hazardous waste
- Dental, medical or laboratory
- Oil or sand interceptor, waste interceptor, grease interceptor or grease trap installation
- Waste Sump pumps (residential sump pumps need prior approval, but not plan review)
- Underslab or footing drains within the building (except single-family residential)
Plumbing permits that do not require plan review can be issued the same day. These permits will still require inspections.
Submit permit applications and plans online at MyBuildingPermit.com