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Bethlehem, PA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permits issued only to
Master Plumbers, § 1705.08(b)
Master Plumber license fee
$75 per year, § 1705.05
Journeyman Plumber license fee
$50 per year, § 1705.05
First-offense penalty
$200 fine or 30 days, § 1705.99
Owner-occupant exception
single-family dwellings only, § 1705.04
Appeal path
Board of Appeals under Article 150

Summary

Bethlehem issues plumbing permits only to licensed Master Plumbers. Under Codified Ordinances § 1705.08(b), an application for a plumbing permit must go to the Chief Code Official, who may issue it only to a Master Plumber holding a City license under the adopted International Plumbing Code. Journeyman plumbers may work under a Master Plumber's supervision but cannot pull permits themselves.

(b) Only Master Plumbers may apply for a permit to perform plumbing work in the City. An application for a plumbing permit shall be made to the Chief Code Official, and the Chief Code Official shall issue plumbing permits only to Master Plumbers.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Article 1705 governs who may pull a plumbing permit inside city limits. 08(a) bars anyone from performing plumbing work as a Master Plumber or Journeyman Plumber without a City-issued license, and bars any employer from letting an unlicensed employee or contractor do that work. 01(b)) works under a Master's supervision and cannot apply on their own. The "Code" referenced throughout is the International Plumbing Code as adopted and amended by Article 1701, the City's Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code ordinance. 04, a bona fide owner-occupant of a single-family dwelling may obtain a permit to do the plumbing work personally, provided the owner buys the material and performs the labor.

05). 06 unless it is already on file with the Bureau of Inspections. 07), and a licensee may appeal that decision to the Board of Appeals under Article 150.

Violations & Fines

Violating Article 1705, including performing or permitting unlicensed plumbing work, carries escalating fines under 1705.99: $200 or up to 30 days imprisonment for a first offense, $500 or up to 60 days for a second, and $1,000 or up to 90 days for a third and each subsequent violation. The Director of Community and Economic Development designates the officials empowered to enforce the Article and issue citations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for a plumbing permit in Bethlehem?
Only a licensed Master Plumber can apply. Under Codified Ordinances § 1705.08(b), the Chief Code Official issues plumbing permits solely to Master Plumbers holding a current City license; Journeyman Plumbers may perform the work under a Master's supervision but cannot pull the permit themselves.
Can a homeowner do their own plumbing work?
Yes, but only for a single-family dwelling the owner occupies. Section 1705.04 lets a bona fide owner-occupant obtain the permit and do the work personally, on the condition that the owner buys all the material and performs all the labor.
What does a Master Plumber license cost?
$75 a year for a Master Plumber and $50 a year for a Journeyman Plumber, per the fee schedule at § 1705.05. Applicants must also show proof of workers' compensation and bodily-injury/property-damage insurance under § 1705.06 before a license issues.
What happens if someone does plumbing work without a license?
Fines escalate under § 1705.99: $200 or up to 30 days in jail for a first violation, $500 or up to 60 days for a second, and $1,000 or up to 90 days for a third or later violation, enforced by officials the Director of Community and Economic Development designates.

Sources & Official References

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All Bethlehem rules

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