Ames, IA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted plumbing code
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
- Permit issuer
- Ames Building Official
- Exempt work
- leak stopping, no piping replaced
- Fee schedule reference
- Appendix U, Ames Municipal Code
- Gas piping cross-reference
- UPC Chapter 12, Sec. 5.100(13)
Summary
In the City of Ames, Iowa, the City has adopted the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, and Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.103 requires a permit from the Building Official before installing, altering or replacing a plumbing system. Only stopping minor leaks or clearing stoppages without replacing pipes, valves or fixtures is exempt under Sec. 5.108.
(12) Plumbing. The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), Sections 101 and 102 and Chapters 2 through 17 of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 4755 E. Philadelphia Street, Ontario, California 91761-2816, are hereby adopted by reference with amendments as the City of Ames Plumbing Code. ... Sec. 5.108. ... PLUMBING PERMITS NOT REQUIRED. No plumbing permit is required: (1) For the stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
Full Breakdown
Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.100(12) adopts Sections 101 and 102 and Chapters 2 through 17 of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as the City of Ames Plumbing Code, with amendments. Sec. 5.103 subjects plumbing work regulated by that code to the general permit requirement: an owner or authorized agent must apply to and obtain a permit from the Building Official before erecting, installing, altering, repairing, removing, converting or replacing a plumbing system, and doing the work first without a permit is a violation.
Sec. 5.108 lists only two narrow exceptions: stopping leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe without replacing concealed piping (replacement of such piping still requires a permit and inspection), and clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, or removing and reinstalling water closets, provided the repair does not involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. Gas piping is separately addressed by Sec. 5.100(13) under Chapter 12 of the same 2021 UPC, deferring to Iowa Administrative Code 661-Chapter 226 where the two conflict. Plumbing permit fees are set under Appendix U per Sec. 5.112(2), and Sec. 5.116 requires plumbing inspections before the work is covered.
Violations & Fines
Performing plumbing work regulated by the adopted Uniform Plumbing Code without first obtaining the Sec. 5.103 permit, beyond the narrow Sec. 5.108 exceptions, is a code violation, and Sec. 5.112(6) authorizes the Building Official to add a penalty fee of up to double the permit fee for plumbing work commenced before permit issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plumbing code does Ames use?
Do I need a permit to fix a leaky faucet in Ames?
Do I need a permit to replace a concealed drain pipe in Ames?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ames
Compare Ames to another location·View the Iowa building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.