Abington, PA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition
- Governing sections
- § 121-15; amendments in § 121-16
- Sewer depth minimum
- 18 inches below grade
- Roof vent clearance minimum
- 12 inches
- Code violation fine
- Up to $1,000 or 30 days
- Master plumber registration fee
- $75 per year
Summary
Abington Township adopted the 2006 International Plumbing Code as its own Plumbing Code under Code § 121-15, and § 121-16 amends its permit-fee, refund and violation sections for local use. All plumbing work in the township needs a permit and a licensed plumber; violating the adopted code is a summary offense punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail.
That document known as the International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition, including appendixes B, C, D, E, F and G, as published by the International Code Council, three copies of which are on file in the office of the Township Secretary of the Township of Abington, shall be and hereby is adopted as the Plumbing Code of the Township of Abington, regulating and governing the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; ... with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 121-16 of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Township Code § 121-15, added by Ordinance No. 1977 in 2009, adopts "the International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition, including appendixes B, C, D, E, F and G" as "the Plumbing Code of the Township of Abington," governing the design, construction, installation, alteration, repair and maintenance of plumbing systems and providing for permits and fees. Section 121-16 then rewrites several of the adopted code's sections for local use: it renames the code the "International Plumbing Code of the Township of Abington," directs the Code Official to authorize refunds of erroneously paid fees or, when no work has been done under an issued permit, up to 10% of the permit fee, and sets a minimum 18-inch burial depth for building sewers connecting to septic systems, per Montgomery County Department of Health standards, and a minimum 12-inch roof clearance for vent pipe terminations.
Separately, Chapter 121's original Article I still requires anyone working at the plumbing or house-drainage business in the township to hold a license or registration from the Township Department of Health, renewed annually before December 31, with master plumbers paying $75 and journeymen paying $25 per registration under § 121-3A.
Violations & Fines
Violating the adopted plumbing code itself, or working plumbing work without approved documents or a required permit, is punished under § 121-16's revised § 108.4 by a summary-offense fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both, with each day a violation continues after notice counting as a separate offense. A stop-work order issued under § 108.5 can additionally expose a person who keeps working to a fine of $200 to $1,000. Failing to hold the underlying plumbing license or registration required by Chapter 121's Article I is separately punished under § 121-9 by a first-offense fine of $50 to $100 per day, rising to $100 to $500 per day for a second offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plumbing code applies in Abington Township?
Did Abington Township change any part of the 2006 International Plumbing Code it adopted?
What is the penalty for violating Abington's plumbing code?
Do I need a license to do plumbing work in Abington Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Abington
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