Chicopee, MA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Section 122-1(A)(4) of the Code of the City of Chicopee adopts the State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Code, set forth at 248 CMR et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments or deletions. The stated purpose is governing public health, safety and welfare as affected by all construction, alteration, repairs and maintenance of plumbing and gas fittings, and securing safety to life and property. The code is adopted and incorporated "as fully as if set out at length herein," a copy is kept on file in the City Clerk's office, and its provisions are controlling within the limits of the City of Chicopee.

The money side is in § 122-2(L), the schedule of plumbing and gas fees, amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19 and 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 16-85. Residential plumbing for new work and renovations costs $60 plus $5 per fixture. A water heater and replacement fixtures cost $40 plus $5 per fixture. Residential gas work for new work and renovations costs $60 plus $5 per appliance, and a water heater and replacement appliance costs $40 plus $5 per appliance.

Commercial work is priced higher. Commercial plumbing for new work and renovations is $90 plus $10 per fixture, and a water heater and replacement fixtures are $45 plus $5 per fixture. Commercial gas for new work and renovations is $90 plus $10 per appliance, and a water heater and replacement appliance is $45 plus $5 per appliance. Reinspection is $30 for either paper or online permits. The schedule's note states that online permit fees are discounted by $20.

A plumbing permit fee stands apart from the building permit fee. Section 122-1(D)(2) says that paying the fee for construction, alteration, removal or demolition does not relieve the applicant or permit holder from other fees prescribed by law or ordinance, and it names electrical and plumbing permits in that list. Section 122-1(D)(1) also bars issuing a permit to begin work until the prescribed fees have been paid.

The ordinance leaves the technical rules, such as pipe sizing and appliance venting, to 248 CMR as adopted, while the City Code itself controls the fee amounts.