Allentown, PA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

The City of Allentown has adopted the Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405), which incorporates the International Plumbing Code, as its Building Code under City Code § 225-1, and the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety administers and enforces it per § 225-3. 50 state UCC surcharge. Separately, tradespeople must be licensed: § 270-34 sets the yearly plumber's license fee at $90 for a master plumber and $60 for a journeyman plumber, due January 1 and renewable through January 31, with test fees of $85 (master) and $60 (journeyman) and a $10 license-printing fee.

Late renewal after January 31 adds a $45 surcharge for a master plumber and $30 for a journeyman. The former stand-alone plumbing-and-sewer permit fee section, § 270-35, was repealed by Ordinance No. 16124 on April 16, 2025, folding plumbing permit costs into the general § 270-31 building fee schedule. A permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance or is abandoned for 180 days, and can be valid for no more than five years total.