In the event that you want to perform a sizable plumbing project or plumbing repair, it’s possible that you will need to obtain a plumbing permit before completing the task at hand. Even smaller plumbing projects may require a plumbing permit, which is something you should determine before work begins. A plumbing permit is a kind of document that can be provided to you by your local inspection department. This permit authorizes the plumbing work that you’re about to do and is necessary to ensure that the work is legal and adheres to the local plumbing code.
National plumbing codes are in place to make sure that the work performed by plumbers meets a certain level of quality. Keep in mind that local county and state regulations are also important and will be considered before national plumbing codes, which is why it’s essential that you check the California Plumbing Code to make sure that the work you’re about to do will qualify for a plumbing permit. In many counties throughout California, plumbing permits are necessary for the installation, repair, or replacement of any fixture or piping pertaining to a plumbing system. Before you get started on any plumbing project, you should be aware of when a plumbing permit is required, which is detailed further in the following article.
Key Takeaways:
To better understand when you may require a plumbing permit, it’s important to look at all of the jobs that call for a permit before work can begin. While county regulations and guidelines can differ, the majority of larger plumbing jobs will automatically require a permit. These jobs include:
The plumbing permit process is straightforward but has around nine separate steps that you should be aware of before starting the process. These steps include:
The first step of this process involves the plumbing company stating that a plumbing permit needs to be pulled, which essentially means that the documentation for the property where the job is taking place must be obtained. This documentation forms the basis of the plumbing permit and will dictate what types of changes can be made by the plumbing company.
Keep in mind that a Notice of Commencement is used during this process to officially denote that the plumbing service is about to begin. The form will contain info on all of the individuals who are involved with the project, which will include the plumbing company and the property owner. When this form is filed, it will remain in county records. All nine of the aforementioned steps must be strictly followed to ensure that the permit is approved and that work can begin.
As the property owner, it’s possible for you to perform do-it-yourself plumbing, which allows you to effectively avoid the costs that come with plumbing services. However, completing this work on your own may not be the right option for your situation. Many property owners incorrectly assume that only large projects require a plumbing permit. However, many smaller plumbing projects will also call for a permit. If you attempt to complete a plumbing project on your own, this could be contradictory to the permit process.
As mentioned previously, the permit process involves nine separate steps, many of which can be difficult to complete if you’re not familiar with the requirements that professional plumbing companies must adhere to with most of the jobs they complete. When a professional plumber handles the permitting process, they should be able to complete it in a short period of time. By foregoing the assistance of a professional, you may find yourself sinking an ample amount of time and money into the process of obtaining a permit, which negates the benefits that come with DIY plumbing.
If you live in an apartment, it’s important to understand that you won’t be able to perform DIY plumbing even if the issue is minor. The landlord is in charge of maintaining the property and will be tasked with fixing these issues with the assistance of a building superintendent. As touched upon previously, a primary component in obtaining a plumbing permit is to get a plumbing inspection. These inspections are designed to make sure that drains empty, toilets flush, and water is able to run directly from the taps throughout the building. An inspection will occur once the plumbing service has been provided.
The various steps that take place throughout a plumbing inspection include:
The process involved with obtaining a plumbing permit can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on how long it takes for you or the plumbing company to complete the aforementioned steps. As for the actual plumbing process, the length of time it takes to complete the plumbing service depends on what type of service is being administered. For new construction, the placement of an entirely new plumbing system can take around 3-5 days to complete.
If the entire home requires a re-piping, this process can take between 2-7 days. On the other hand, smaller plumbing jobs can typically be completed in a single day, which is why many homeowners choose to perform DIY plumbing. As long as all of the permit steps are followed, obtaining a plumbing permit is simple and hassle-free. If you are requesting the services of a professional plumbing company, they should be able to handle the permit process on their own.
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