815 Ky. Admin. Regs. 20:050

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 815 KAR 20:050 - Installation permits

RELATES TO: KRS 318.030, 318.134, 318.160

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 318.130 requires the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the Kentucky State Plumbing Code to regulate plumbing. KRS 318.134(1) requires all persons, firms, or corporations to procure a plumbing installation permit from the department to construct, install, or alter, or cause to be constructed, installed, or altered any plumbing. KRS 318.134(3) requires the department to establish a reasonable schedule of fees and charges to be paid for plumbing installation permits and the necessary inspections incident thereto. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements, fees, and charges for plumbing installation permits and inspections in Kentucky.

Section 1. Permit Required.

(1) A plumbing permit shall be required for:

(a) A new plumbing installation;

(b) An existing plumbing installation if a fixture, soil, or waste opening or conductor is to be moved or relocated;

(c) A new house sewer or a house sewer that is to be replaced;

(d) A new water service or water service that is to be replaced;

(e) The addition of a backflow prevention device to an existing water service; or

(f) A new water heater installation or a water heater that is to be replaced.

(2) A new plumbing permit shall be required when a master plumber:

(a) Takes over a plumbing installation originally permitted to another master plumber or homeowner; or

(b) Assumed responsibility to correct and test an installation made by someone else.

(3) A permit shall not be required for:

(a) The repair of:

1. Leaks;

2. Cocks;

3. Valves; or

(b) Cleaning out waste or sewer pipes.

Section 2. Issuance of Plumbing Permits.

(1) A permit to construct, install, or alter plumbing, sewerage, or drainage shall be issued only to:

(a) A licensed master plumber; or

(b) A homeowner who wishes to construct, install, or alter plumbing, sewerage, or drainage in a home occupied by the homeowner or constructed by the homeowner for the homeowner's own personal residential use, if:

1. Application is made for the permit prior to the beginning of the work;

2. The homeowner files with the application an affidavit stating that the homeowner shall abide by the terms of this section;

3. All work shall be performed in compliance with 815 KAR Chapter 20;

4. All work shall be personally performed by the homeowner; and

5. The homeowner shall not have obtained another homeowner permit for construction of a new home issued within the last five (5) years.

(2) A journeyman plumber shall not construct, install, or alter plumbing, sewerage, or drainage unless the work is performed under the supervision of a licensed master plumber with a valid permit.

Section 3. Plumbing Plan Submission.

(1) Procedure. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, plumbing plans shall be submitted to the department for review and approval prior to the issuance of a plumbing permit. A plumbing plan submission shall consist of:

(a) A complete Plan Application form; and

(b) Three (3) sets of identical plans that include:

1. A complete floor plan;

2. An isometric plumbing diagram of the drain, waste, and vent system; and

3. A site utility plan.

(2) Field inspections. A plumbing inspector may inspect the plumbing in the following without an initial submission of plumbing plans:

(a) An existing building if:

1. There are no more than ten (10) openings for plumbing fixtures or appliances, present and future;

2. There is no change of use in the occupancy;

3. There is no increase in the occupant load;

4. Approval by the Department of Health is not required; and

5. Plans or documents of the installation are submitted to the department after installation; or

(b) A multi-family dwelling if:

1. The building consists of twelve (12) units or less;

2. The water and sewer connections have been approved by the Division of Water in accordance with 401 KAR Chapter 5;

3. Proof of a building permit from the authority having jurisdiction has been submitted to the department; and

4. Plumbing plans are made available to the plumbing inspector for review and approval prior to construction.

(c) A plumbing inspector shall not review and approve plans for the following:

1. A tenant space that has not been occupied;

2. A day care facility that is not currently licensed;

3. A project on a private water system without approval from the Division of Water in accordance with 401 KAR Chapter 5; or

4. A project with a sewer main extension or a sewage treatment plant without approval from the Division of Water in accordance with 401 KAR Chapter 5.

Section 4. Plumbing Permit Fees.

(1) The base fee for each plumbing permit for residential one (1) and two (2) family units shall be fifty (50) dollars plus fourteen (14) dollars for each:

(a) Plumbing fixture, appliance, or opening left for a plumbing fixture or appliance in the soil or waste pipe system;

(b) Domestic water heater; and

(c) Separately metered water and sewer service if more than one (1) water or sewer service is to be installed.

(2) The base fee for each plumbing permit for buildings other than residential one (1) and two (2) family units shall be fifty (50) dollars plus twenty (20) dollars for each:

(a) Plumbing fixture, appliance, or opening left for a plumbing fixture or appliance in the soil or waste pipe system;

(b) Domestic water heater;

(c) Conductor opening; and

(d) Separately metered water and sewer service if more than one (1) water or sewer service is to be installed.

(3)

(a) If only one (1) new domestic water heater is installed or replaced within a single building, the only fee for the plumbing permit shall be fifty (50) dollars.

(b) If more than one (1) water heater is replaced within a building, a permit fee shall be calculated pursuant to subsections (1) or (2) of this section.

(4) The plumbing permit fee shall be limited to the base fee if:

(a) The work to be performed does not include new installation;

(b) The work to be performed is to make corrections or to provide testing for an installation made by someone else; or

(c) A master plumber takes over a plumbing permit pursuant to Section 1(2) of this administrative regulation.

Section 5.

(1) A person with a plumbing permit shall be entitled to five (5) plumbing inspections at no additional cost.

(2)

(a) The fee for an additional inspection shall be fifty (50) dollars.

(b) All additional inspection fees shall be paid prior to the final inspection.

(3) Additional inspection fees shall not apply if the cost of the plumbing permit exceeds $250.

Section 6. Expiration of permits.

(1) Plumbing permits issued pursuant to this administrative regulation shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance unless construction is ongoing, in which case the permit shall remain effective until the completion of the planned plumbing inspection.

(2) The permit shall expire and become void if the plumbing work ceases on the project for a period exceeding twelve (12) months.

Section 7. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) "Plan Application Form", 2/2020, is incorporated by reference.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-5412, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is available online at http://dhbc.ky.gov.

815 KAR 20:050

1 Ky.R. 10; eff. 9-11-1974; 2 Ky.R. 449; eff. 4-14-1976; Recodified from 401 KAR 1:030, 7-5-1978; 5 Ky.R. 160; eff. 10-4-1978; 6 Ky.R. 696; 7 Ky.R. 220; eff. 10-1-1980; 845; eff. 10-7-1981; 9 Ky.R. 832; 1200; eff. 4-6-1983; 13 Ky.R. 958; eff. 12-2-1986; 17 Ky.R. 2880; eff. 5-3-1991; 18 Ky.R. 1231; 1887; eff. 12-8-1991; 19 Ky.R. 2335; eff. 6-7-1993; 21 Ky.R. 1389; eff. 1-9-1995; 27 Ky.R. 3376; eff. 8-15-2001; 32 Ky.R. 2362; 33 Ky.R. 404; eff. 9-1-2006; 36 Ky.R. 1134; 2067-M; eff. 6-4-2010; 41 Ky.R. 167; eff. 9-24-2014; 1202; eff. 3-6-2015; 46 Ky.R. 1651, 2420; eff. 6-2-2020; 48 Ky.R. 629; eff. 3-1-2022.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 198B.040(10), 318.130, 318.134(3)