Bloomington, IL Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Chapter 34 of the Bloomington City Code adopts the Illinois State Plumbing Code, current edition, as the controlling standard for materials, construction, alteration, and inspection of plumbing citywide and within the area of Lake Bloomington and other areas under City jurisdiction, under Section 34-101; the Director of Economic & Community Development or a representative serves as the Code's "administrative authority" within Bloomington. Section 34-301 requires a permit from the Plumbing Inspector before any plumbing is installed, altered, or changed in a building, structure, or manufactured or mobile home, with an emergency exception that still requires the Inspector to be notified and a permit obtained as soon afterward as possible.

A permit is issued to a registered plumbing contractor, though an owner-occupant of a single-family residence can obtain a permit directly after submitting proof of residency. Separate permits are required for work connecting to the storm drainage system under Section 34-302, or to the public sewer or water system under Section 34-303, each also requiring approval from the Director of Public Works. Plumbing contractors must additionally register annually with the City Clerk under Section 34-201, submitting their current Illinois plumbing contractor registration and paying the required fee before January 1 each year; failing to do so by February 1 blocks new permits until the paperwork is filed.

Work performed without the required permit, or a contractor's repeated failure to obtain one before starting work, can result in suspension or revocation of the contractor's business license by the Building Board of Appeals under Section 34-202. A permit expires if work has not begun within six months of issuance.