Chapter 15.20
PLUMBING CODE
Sections:
15.20.020 Enforcement officer – Assistant inspector for plumbing.
15.20.030 Entry powers of town.
15.20.060 Application and issuance.
15.20.070 Inspections and tests.
15.20.080 Certificate of inspection.
15.20.100 Special provisions for homeowners desiring to perform plumbing work in their home.
15.20.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
“Apprentice plumber” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“Contracting” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“Journeyman plumber” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“License” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“Maintenance man” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“Person” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“Plumbing” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2.
“Plumbing contractor” shall have the meaning assigned to it by IC 25-28.5-1-2. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-81. Code 2000 § 210.065].
15.20.020 Enforcement officer – Assistant inspector for plumbing.
(A) There is hereby created the position of assistant inspector for plumbing. The assistant plumbing inspector shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the chief inspector/building commissioner. All references in this chapter to chief inspector, building commissioner or plumbing inspector shall mean the assistant inspector for plumbing.
(B) The assistant inspector for plumbing shall be a licensed plumber, licensed according to the laws and regulations of the state of Indiana.
(1) In appointing an assistant inspector for plumbing, the appointing authority shall make an earnest and reasonable effort to seek an individual who is also a resident of the town who is qualified pursuant to the terms of this section for appointment when possible.
(2) Before any such inspector shall enter upon his duties, such inspector shall be required to take and subscribe an oath of office and shall file an individual surety bond in the sum of $15,000 payable to the state of Indiana, pursuant to IC 5-4-1-10, to be approved by the town clerk-treasurer.
(3) The bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the assistant inspector’s duties, including the duty to comply with IC 35-44.1-1-1 and the duty to account properly for all monies and property received by virtue of the employee’s service in the office or position.
(4) The premium upon said bond shall be paid by the town. Said bond may be executed with any recognized and responsible surety company authorized to do business in the state of Indiana.
(5) The bond and oath shall be filed in the office of the clerk-treasurer of the town, and recorded in the office of the recorder of Lake County, pursuant to IC 5-4-1-5.1.
(C) The assistant inspector for plumbing shall have no direct financial interest in any concern engaged in the business of the installation and maintenance of plumbing or devices, septic systems and devices in the town during his term of office as inspector.
(D) It shall be the duty of the assistant inspector for plumbing to inspect and approve or reject all plans and drawings for the installation or alteration of plumbing connections or equipment, to make septic tank inspections, and to further inspect such plumbing work in all buildings, structures and things in the town required to be inspected by law. The inspector shall have the right, when necessary, to remove any existing obstructions which may prevent a complete inspection of plumbing equipment. He shall have such additional authority as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and procedures of this chapter.
(E) The assistant inspector for plumbing shall have the ex officio power and authority to act in the capacity of the chief inspector at such times as the chief inspector may be absent due to vacation, illness, incapacity, or other legitimate reason; provided, that such ex officio powers shall not be exercised unless the assistant electrical inspector is also unable to act in his ex officio capacity. The exercise of such ex officio powers shall only be made upon the prior approval of the president of the town council or his designate.
(F) All fees collected in conjunction with the duties and powers of the assistant inspector for plumbing shall be paid immediately into the general fund of the town.
(G) The assistant inspector for plumbing shall receive no annual salary but shall be compensated according to the following schedule:
Fee and Payment Schedule
(Effective March 1, 2019)
(1) For each one-unit plumbing examination proctored as provided in HMC 15.20.100: $17.50.
(2) For each inspection performed which includes the following:
(a) Rough inspection: $24.75 each.
(b) Final inspection: $24.75 each.
(c) Underground: $24.75 each.
(d) Sewer tap inspection: $24.75 each.
(e) Water tap inspection: $24.75 each.
(f) Reinspections in consequence of red tagging: $24.75 each.
Fee and Payment Schedule
(Effective July 1, 2020)
(1) For each one-unit plumbing examination proctored as provided in HMC 15.20.100: $18.00.
(2) For each inspection performed which includes the following:
(a) Rough inspection: $25.50 each.
(b) Final inspection: $25.50 each.
(c) Underground: $25.50 each.
(d) Sewer tap inspection: $25.50 each.
(e) Water tap inspection: $25.50 each.
(f) Reinspections in consequence of red tagging: $25.50 each. [Ord. 1636 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1681 § 6, 2018; Ord. 1687 § 10, 2018; Ord. 1719.1691-D § 2, 2020].
15.20.030 Entry powers of town.
Subject to constitutional limitations, the chief inspector and other duly authorized municipal employees or officers bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter upon all properties for the inspection and observation purposes in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-83. Code 2000 § 210.067].
15.20.040 Interpretation.
No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements imposed by the state or county boards of health. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-84. Code 2000 § 210.068].
15.20.050 Permit required.
Before any plumbing work of any kind shall be commenced for any building or structure, or on any lot or premises, or the excavation commenced in any public highways, for any water, waste, sewer, or drainage systems, excepting minor repairs, proper permits shall first be obtained.
“Minor repairs” shall be taken to mean repairing or replacing of an old fixture by a new one to be used for the same purpose, forcing out wastes and repairing leaks in waste pipes. Such repairs or alterations shall not be construed to include additional fixtures, relocating fixtures, connecting storage tanks, heating plants or apparatus to a water system, or running new lines of sewer, water, soil, waste, vent, or leader pipes. No plumbing permit shall be required for sewer work done under public contracts let for the improvement of streets or alleys. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-96; Code 2000 § 210.069].
Penalty, see HMC 15.05.030.
15.20.060 Application and issuance.
Applicants for a plumbing permit shall apply to the office of the clerk-treasurer for an application blank for such job of plumbing or drainage, describing explicitly the kind of work to be installed or performed, with a complete legal description of the premises where the work is to be done. This application, when properly filled out, shall at once be filed with the office of the clerk-treasurer. The chief inspector shall then issue a permit authorizing the person to do all work for which the permit is granted, on condition that the same shall be in accordance with the provisions, rules and regulations of this chapter and state law. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-97. Code 2000 § 210.070].
15.20.070 Inspections and tests.
(A) No water, soil waste, vent, inside conductor, building drain pipe, septic tank, field absorption tile or other plumbing shall be covered or concealed from view until the work has been inspected, tested and approved by the chief inspector.
(B) Except for the septic tank system, two inspections shall be made by the chief inspector, as follows:
(1) The first inspection shall be made before water, soil, waste, vent, inside conductor, building drain pipes, septic tank, field absorption tile or other plumbing are covered up. This inspection shall be known as the “roughing-in” inspection. The plumber shall notify the inspector when the work is ready for inspection and shall have the whole septic tank system prepared for inspection. A separate inspection of the exposed septic tank and field absorption tile shall be made by the chief inspector. The plumber shall notify the inspector when the work is ready for inspection and shall have the entire septic tank system prepared for inspection.
(2) The second or final inspection shall be made upon the completion of the work, after the water has been turned on and the traps have been filled. The plumber shall notify the inspector when the work is ready for inspection and testing, at which time the plumber shall have the entire plumbing system prepared for the inspector, as follows:
(a) Having filled pipes with water to the highest point;
(b) By air pressure of not less than five pounds to the square inch which pressure shall remain constant for a minimum of 15 minutes without any further addition of water;
(c) By the known peppermint test.
(C) Upon notice that rough or finished work is ready for inspection, the inspector shall make the inspection within 48 hours. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-98. Code 2000 § 210.071].
15.20.080 Certificate of inspection.
After all plumbing has been installed in the building and completed, tested, inspected and approved in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the chief inspector shall issue to the plumber a certificate of inspection, with duplicate copies which shall be furnished one to the owner and one to the building inspector. [Ord. 670, 1973. Code 1983 § 5-99. Code 2000 § 210.072].
15.20.090 Fees.
(A) The applicant for a plumbing permit shall pay (see HMC 15.05.020) to the clerk-treasurer for issuing a permit, and (see HMC 15.05.020) for each sink, closet, lavatory, bathtub, shower, drinking fountain, urinal, laundry tub, floor drain, dishwasher, garbage disposal, clothes washer, air conditioner, sump pump, refrigerator, shower, water heater, or other fixtures to be installed which will discharge into a sewer or septic tank, with a minimum fee (see HMC 15.05.020) for issuing any permit for work requiring inspection. For a septic tank system, the applicant shall pay to the clerk-treasurer a fee (see HMC 15.05.020) for issuing the permit and an additional fee (see HMC 15.05.020) as an inspection fee. For each and every additional trip beyond the two that are made by the chief inspector/plumbing inspector, which are caused by improper information, improper work, or other reasons, a fee (see HMC 15.05.020) shall be paid, prior to the extra inspection, to the clerk-treasurer. All fees shall be credited to the general fund.
(B) In addition, the following sums for inspection fees shall be paid by the applicant when the permit is issued for the following:
(1) Lawn sprinkler system: see HMC 15.05.020.
(2) Fire sprinkler system: see HMC 15.05.020.
(3) Septic tank: see HMC 15.05.020.
(4) Septic tank bypass: see HMC 15.05.020.
(C) The town of Highland, including its executive departments, nor any church or public or parochial school shall be required to pay any plumbing permit filing fees normally required under this section. This exemption applies only to permit filing fees. It does not apply to any inspection or other fees payable by the municipality or its executive departments, or any church, public school or parochial school as otherwise required by this code. [Ord. 670, 1973; Ord. 717, 1976; Ord. 724, 1976; Ord. 724A, 1981; Ord. 926B, 1989; Ord. 988, 1993; Ord. 1025, 1995; Ord. 1333 § 3, 2006. Code 1983 § 5-100. Code 2000 § 210.073].
15.20.100 Special provisions for homeowners desiring to perform plumbing work in their home.
(A) Except for licensed plumbers, any person desiring to perform plumbing work in that person’s home or residence must register with the plumbing inspector before doing any plumbing. Such a person will be required to successfully complete a one-unit plumbing examination and pay an examination fee as shown in the schedule below. Upon passing the examination, the person shall be required to apply for a one-unit plumbing permit prior to the start of any plumbing work contemplated.
(B) If the applicant fails to pass the examination, the applicant will not be permitted to take another examination for 90 days, and the fee will not be refunded.
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Examination Fee Schedule (Effective March 1, 2019) |
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Examination Fee: |
$45.50 |
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Examination Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2020) |
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Examination Fee: |
$52.25 |
[Ord. 1687 § 11, 2018].