Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Allegheny County Plumbing Permit Requirements
In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, residential and commercial plumbing projects require a plumbing permit. To obtain a permit, a plumbing plan must be submitted to and approved by the Allegheny County Health Department before any work begins. This applies to any new plumbing installation or alteration, including water heater replacements and dishwasher installations. The submitted plan should detail all fixtures to be installed or altered, along with information on water service and building sewers. A drawing showing the location, connections, and materials is also required on the reverse side of the plan. Once the plan is approved and the permit is issued, work can commence, and inspections will be conducted throughout the process, culminating in a final inspection.
Plumbing permits are issued in accordance with the Allegheny County Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article XV, "Plumbing." Landlords in Allegheny County are required to hire a Master Plumber for any repairs or modifications to the plumbing in their rental units; landlords may only perform plumbing repairs on their own residences.
All types of plumbing permits and plans can be submitted online through the Citizen Access Portal. Commercial plumbing plans require pre-approval through the Commercial Plan Review process before online submission. For in-person submissions, there are two Plumbing Inspection Offices: the Clack Office (3901 Penn Avenue, Building 5, Pittsburgh, PA 15224) for all types of permits, and the Southwest Office (2121 Noblestown Road, Room 207, Pittsburgh, PA 15205) for residential plans only.
Master plumbers must be registered with the Allegheny County Health Department. Only registered Master Plumbers with a current plumbing license, or the owner/occupant of an existing single-family dwelling, may apply for a plumbing permit. Plumbing permits are necessary for constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of a building or structure.
Jurisdiction and Unincorporated Areas
In Allegheny County, property owners, representatives, or contractors must file necessary permits in the specific municipality where the work is to be performed. Each municipality has its own permit requirements, review standards, and timelines. For properties in unincorporated areas, it is essential to contact the relevant municipal authority for detailed information on available permits and associated fees. While the Allegheny County Health Department oversees plumbing permits and regulations, the initial permit application and process are handled at the municipal level. The Allegheny County Department of Engineering and Construction may be involved if the site abuts or is traversed by a County road or may impact a County drainage facility. Additionally, the Allegheny County Health Department requires approvals for sewage facilities, water supply, and air pollution.