When do I need a permit for plumbing work?

A plumbing permit is required to:

• Install, repair, or alter any water, sanitary sewer, or storm sewer piping (including rain or footing drain).
• Install new or used fixtures. This would include repairing frozen pipes exceeding three feet, water heaters, sump pumps, tubs, showers, etc.

A plumbing permit is not required:

• When a property owner performs ordinary minor repairs to plumbing systems on his or her own property. "Ordinary minor repairs" means plumbing work that doesn’t involve alterations to an existing plumbing system. "Ordinary minor repairs" includes repair, or maintenance of existing fixtures, parts, and appliances and their related water and drain attachments.
• When a property owner or a licensed plumber performs emergency repairs to, or replacement of, freeze-damaged or leaking concealed piping, provided new piping doesn’t exceed three feet.

If you are not sure you need a permit call the City of Salem Permit Application Center at (503) 588-6256.

Safety first

This page will not tell you how to do the plumbing work. For the safety of you and your family - as well as those who may occupy the home in the future - and to avoid costly mistakes, do not attempt any plumbing work beyond your abilities or skills.

Where do I get a permit for plumbing work?

Permits are issued at the City of Salem Permit Application Center, 555 Liberty Street, Room 320, Salem, Oregon. You’ll complete an application form, pay permit fees, and in most cases get your permit issued at application. If a plumbing contractor is performing the work, it is the contractor’s responsibility to get the permit and ensure that required inspections are performed. The plumbing permit will be issued in the name of the party performing the work. See provided page links to application forms.

• For new homes, the plumbing permit is separate from the structural dwelling permit and must be applied for separately; the fees are based on the number of bathrooms and kitchens and includes 100 feet each of water, sewer, and storm lines (which includes rain, footing, and trench drains; and leach lines).
• A plan is not usually required for a plumbing permit for a dwelling.
• For other construction types or an existing plumbing system, you should be prepared to provide information such as number of fixtures, size, and length of pipes.
• If all the necessary information is available, we may be able to issue the permit at that time.
• Plumbing permit fees are paid when the permit is issued.

How do I get an inspection?

All plumbing work that requires a permit must be inspected by a Certified Plumbing Inspector.

If a plumbing contractor is performing the work, the contractor is required to notify the City of Salem when the work is ready to be inspected. If you are doing your own work, you can call the City of Salem to request an inspection. If you have installed water piping, the work must be operational for inspection. Inspectors may require that drainage piping be plugged and filled with water for inspection.

You may call the Permit Application Center at (503) 588-6256 to schedule an inspection. Calls received prior to 7:30 a.m. may be inspected the same day. Calls received after 7:30 a.m. will automatically be scheduled the following work day. When you call, you will be asked for the type of inspection requested, address where work was done, permit number, your name and phone number (or alternate contact), and whether the property is residential or commercial. Be prepared to furnish detailed directions to the job site. A copy of your plumbing permit must be displayed on the job site. Remember: addresses must be displayed on job site.

You may also requests inspections online.

Unless all of the work is outside and accessible, an adult needs to be at the site to provide access for the inspector.

Planning to do plumbing work on your one- or two-family dwelling?

As the property owner of a one- or two-family dwelling, you can hire a licensed plumbing contractor, or do the plumbing work yourself without a license. A friend, neighbor, tenant, general contractor or other person cannot legally do the plumbing work unless he or she is a licensed plumber working on behalf of a licensed plumbing contractor.

All materials, including pipe, pipe fittings, fixtures, and other devices used in plumbing systems, must be listed and approved for their specific uses. This is especially important when installing materials that come into contact with drinking water.

If you hire a plumbing contractor to perform plumbing work, ask for his or her business registration, and ask for the license number of any journeyman plumber performing work. Plumbing contractors must also be registered with the Construction Contractors Board (503) 378-4621 or (503) 365-7484.

Lawn sprinklers may be installed only by licensed landscape contractors. Permits are required to connect lawn sprinklers to your building’s water supply.

If you have questions concerning your eligibility to work on a building, call the Building Codes Division at (503) 378-4133 or review the Online READ-ONLY Version of the Plumbing Code.