815 KAR 20:050. Installation permits

      Section 1. Issuance of Permits. (1) A permit to construct, install, or alter plumbing, sewerage, or drainage shall be issued only to a licensed master plumber except as established in subsection (3) of this section.

      (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.

      (3) A permit to construct, install, or alter plumbing, sewerage, or drainage shall be issued to a homeowner desiring to install plumbing in a home occupied by the homeowner or constructed by the homeowner for the homeowner’s own personal residential use, if:

      (a) Application is made for the permit prior to the beginning of the work;

      (b) The homeowner files with the application an affidavit stating that the homeowner shall abide by the terms of this section;

      (c) All work shall be performed in compliance with the state plumbing code, 815 KAR Chapter 20;

      (d) All the work shall be personally performed by the homeowner; and

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

      (4) A permit shall not be required for:

      (a) The repairing of:

      1. Leaks;

      2. Cocks; or

      3. Valves; or

      (b) Cleaning out waste or sewer pipes.

 

      Section 2. Conditions Under which a Permit Shall be Required. A plumbing installation permit shall be required for:

      (1) A new plumbing installation;

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

      (3) Each individual unit of a multistory building if there is more than one (1) unit;

      (4) A building that is considered separate if:

      (a) The connection between the building and another building is not a necessary part of the structure of either building; or

      (b) The building’s roof is not part of the roof of another building;

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

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

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

      (8) A new water heater installation or a water heater installation that is to be replaced; or

      (9) Taking over a plumbing installation originally permitted to another master plumber or assuming responsibility to correct and test an installation made by someone else.

 

      Section 3. Plumbing Installation Permit Fees. (1) The base fee for each plumbing installation permit for residential, one (1) and two      (2) family units, shall be forty-five (45) dollars plus seven (7) dollars for each:

      (a) Plumbing fixture or appliance or plumbing fixture opening or appliance opening left in the soil or waste pipe system including openings left for future fixtures or appliances;

      (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 installation permit for other than residential, one (1) and two (2) family units, shall be forty-five (45) dollars plus fifteen (15) dollars for each:

      (a) Plumbing fixture or appliance or plumbing fixture opening or appliance opening left in the soil or waste pipe system including openings left for future fixtures or appliances;

      (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 installation permit shall be forty-five (45) dollars.

      (b) If more than one (1) water heater is replaced within a building, a permit shall be required pursuant to Sections 1 or 2 of this administrative regulation.

      (4) If the application for permit does not include any new installation but is to make corrections to or to provide testing for an installation made by someone else, the permit fee shall be limited to the base fee of forty-five (45) dollars only.

 

      Section 4. Inspection Fees. (1) A person with a plumbing permit shall be entitled to five (5) plumbing inspections at no additional cost.

      (2) Each plumbing inspection in excess of five (5) shall be charged at the rate of fifty (50) dollars per inspection and shall be paid prior to the final inspection.

(3) Inspection fees shall not apply if the cost of the permit exceeds $200.

 

      Section 5. Expiration of Permits. (1) Except as established in subsection (2) of this section, all plumbing installations permits issued pursuant to this administrative regulation shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance.

      (2)(a) Except as established in paragraph (b) of this subsection, if construction is begun within one (1) year after the date the permit is issued, the permit shall remain effective until completion of the planned plumbing inspection.

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

 

      Section 6. Plumbing Inspection Fees for Public Buildings. The schedule of fees for inspection of the construction, installation, or alteration of plumbing in public buildings shall be the same as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation. (Recodified from 401 KAR 1:030, 7-5-1978; Am. 5 Ky.R. 160; eff. 10-4-78; 6 Ky.R. 696; 7 Ky.R. 220; eff. 10-1-80; 845; eff. 10-7-81; 9 Ky.R. 832; 1200; eff. 4-6-83; 13 Ky.R. 958; eff. 12-2-86; 17 Ky.R. 2880; eff. 5-3-91; 18 Ky.R. 1231; 1887; eff. 12-8-91; 19 Ky.R. 2335; eff. 6-7-93; 21 Ky.R. 1389; eff. 1-9-95; 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.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 318.030, 318.134, 318.160

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 318.130, 318.134(3)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: 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. KRS 318.130 authorizes the department to promulgate a reasonable rule or administrative regulation to administer the provisions of KRS Chapter 318. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements, fees, and charges for plumbing installation permits and inspections in Kentucky.