Plumbing Permit FAQs

• To schedule a Plumbing inspection please call (313) 224-3118. 
• The Plumbing Division will inspect the property within 48 hours after the request is made. For hazardous/emergency installations every effort will be made to provide inspections the same day if called before 9:00 am.
• The permit holder must have the correct property address (street name ), and the correct permit number.
• If the work installed by the permit holder is approved by the inspector, the permit holder if requested, will receive a Certificate of Acceptance from the plumbing division.
• If there are violations, a notice will be mailed to the permit holder within five (5) Business days.
• A Re-Inspection must be scheduled after all violations have been corrected.
• The permit holder is required to get inspection approval before the permit can be finaled, and a Certificate of Acceptance issued.

• Certificate of Acceptance: Issued by Plumbing Division to holder of permit for work installed that has been approved by the plumbing inspector.
• Certificate of Plumbing Inspection: Issued by Plumbing Division to the owner of the property upon final inspection of any structure newly erected.
• Certificate of Registration: Issued by the Plumbing Division to properly licensed State of Michigan Plumbing Contractor. The current registration and license must be carried on the supervising employee of the company while employed or engaged in the task of supervising or installing plumbing.
• Certificate of Plumbing Re-Inspection: Issued by the Plumbing Division after the structure or premise is found to reasonable comply with the provisions of the plumbing code. The certificate of plumbing re-inspection is associated with the plumbing survey/cross connection control program for industrial/commercial/assembly and other types of buildings.

Please Note: Above Certifications can only be obtained at:

City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave. - Suite 408
Detroit, MI 48226

between the hours of 8:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday through Friday.

Applications are available online (for printing purposes only) or by visiting the:

City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave. - Suite 408
Detroit, MI 48226

between the hours of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Complete all required information on the application.
Plumbing Permit application

If you need assistance FAQs & tutorial videos can be found on the BSEED eLaps webpage.

Plumbing Code Purpose

The purpose of the plumbing code is to ensure the proper installation of systems for furnishing potable water, for sanitary sewage disposal and storm drainage; and to ensure public safety, health, and welfare insofar as affected by the installation of plumbing.

What is the Plumbing Code?

The plumbing code controls the design and installation of plumbing systems, including sanitary and storm drainage, sanitary facilities, water supplies, and stormwater and sewage disposal in buildings. The 2018 Michigan Plumbing Code went into effect. Provisions for one- and two-family dwellings are included in the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Plumbing is the practice, materials, and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances, and plumbing appurtenances in connection with sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems, and public or private water supply systems, within or adjacent to any building or structure.

Plumbing work shall not be started until a permit for such work has been issued by the appropriate enforcing agency.

A permit is not required for repairs that involve only the working parts of a faucet or valve or clearance of stoppages provided alterations are not made in the existing piping or fixtures.

To obtain plumbing permits, an applicant shall be a licensed plumbing contractor or a homeowner installing his/her own plumbing, building sewer, or private sewer. The state or a governmental subdivision shall require the plumbing contractor to record his or her current plumbing contractor license number on the permit application. A licensed plumbing contractor shall designate 1 or more licensed master plumbers employed full-time who directly supervise the installation of plumbing to obtain permits using the license number of the plumbing contractor. The master plumber's license number must also be recorded on the permit application.

Permits for a building sewer/private sewer or water service, only, may be issued to other than licensed contractor/master plumbers. Contact should be made with the enforcing agency to determine any local requirements relating to water services and building sewer installation which may be in effect.

• 2018 Michigan Plumbing Code.
• 2015 Michigan Residential Code.
• 2019 Detroit City Code - Chapter 8, Article V
• State of Michigan Safe Drinking Act PA 399 of 1976
• State of Michigan Act 733 of 2002

Sewers (Outside Storm/ Sanitary Piping)

• Check pitch/slope of pipe for uniform alignment.
• Check code-approved standards listed on pipes/fittings.
• Check proper joint types between piping.
• Check properly size and accessible clean-outs.
• Check water or air test on system. Air Test: 5 psi or Water Test: 10 foot head of pressure. The test shall hold for at least 15 minutes without leaks.
• Installation must be left uncovered and accessible for inspection.
• Check work installed as per approved plan/code (if approved plan is required).
• Installation must be below outside frost depth (building sewer minimum 42" below grade).

Storm Drains ( inside Building)

• Check pitch/slope of pipe for uniform alignment.
• Check code-approved standards listed on pipes/fittings.
• Check work installed as per approved plan/code (if approved plan is required).
• Check proper joint types between piping.
• Check properly size and accessible cleanouts.
• Check water or air test on system. Air Test: 5 psi or Water Test: 10 foot head of pressure. The test shall hold for at least 15 minutes without leaks.
• Installation must be left uncovered and accessible for inspection.
• Install trap when storm drains are connected to a sanitary system.
• Check proper hangers and supports for storm drains.

Rough Plumbing ( above and underground)

• Check proper fixture spacing.
• Check work installed as per approved plan/code. If an approved plan is required, it must be left at the job site for inspector review.
• Check backing support for fixtures that are to be attached to wall(s).
• Check water or air test on system. Air Test: 5 psi or Water Test: 10 foot head of pressure. The test shall hold for at least 15 minutes without leaks.
• Installation must be left uncovered and accessible for inspection.
• Building permit must be posted (if applicable for installation)
• Check for proper hangers and supports.

Water Distribution

• Check code-approved standards listed on pipes/fittings.
• Check proper joint types between piping.
• Check water or air test on system. Water test not less than the water working pressure of the system. Air test for piping systems other than plastic, not less than 50 psi. The test shall be held for not less than 15 minutes without leaks.
• Check for proper hangers and supports.
• Check for leaks.
• Check for proper water supply pressure at fixtures.

Final

• All equipment, fixtures, appliances, appurtenances, etc., must be in operating condition.
• All equipment, fixtures, appliances, appurtenances, etc., shall not be defective, damaged, or dirty.
• All equipment, fixtures, appliances, appurtenances, etc., waste and water connections shall be free of leaks.
• Fixtures shall have proper spacing.

Information

The purpose of the Information Inspection (permit) is to have the plumbing contractor meet with an inspector at the job site to review a proposed installation, which may not be in conformance with the code. The proposal to deviate from the code is submitted in duplicate, in writing, or with legible drawings, and states the reason for deviation. The proposal may be considered and approved if it meets the intent of the plumbing code.

Cross Connection Control

Cross-connection plumbing inspections are required according to the 2018 Michigan Plumbing Code Section 608, and the Department of Environmental Quality, Safe Drinking Water Act 1976 PA 399 Part 14. The purpose of this program is to identify and order eliminated any cross-connections found in the water distribution system of buildings in the City of Detroit. A cross-connection is any physical connection between two otherwise separate piping systems, one piping system which contains potable (drinking) water and the other nonpotable water, chemical, gas, etc. Buildings that are in violation and no progress made to correct the violation will receive a court notice. Buildings that are in compliance will receive a certificate of plumbing re-inspection. The certificate must be posted and maintained in a conspicuous place within the building or premises.

Complaints may be in writing or relayed by phone (313) 224-3118 or other means, and should include the following information:

• Name, Address, and Phone Number of Complainant.
• Job location (if different from complainant's address).
• Name and address of the company that the complaint is against.
• Name(s) of individual(s) contacted at the company.
• License number of contractor (if known).
• Indicate the task (i.e., install/repair specific equipment/plumbing) that the contractor was hired to perform.
• Indicate those aspects of the job that are not correct.
• Indicate whether permits were secured and inspections performed.
• Attach copies of any substantiating documents (i.e., contract, proposal, invoice, etc.)
• Upon receipt of the complaint, the plumbing division reviews the documentation to determine if an investigation is to be initiated, or if additional information is required.

Note: The Plumbing Division does not have the authority to intervene in monetary or contractual disputes.