Cranston, RI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Written application to public works director
- Installer
- Duly licensed plumber or drain layer only
- Issued by
- Building inspector, after DPW approval
- Code adopted
- 1975 BOCA Plumbing Code, Art. 15 (modified)
- Local inspector
- City's own Inspector of Plumbing (Dept. of Inspections)
Summary
Connecting a building's plumbing to Cranston's public sewer requires a written permit application approved by public works; the building inspector then issues the permit only to a duly licensed plumber, under a plumbing code built on the state code and a modified 1975 BOCA Plumbing Code.
No sanitary connection of private property or public property with the public sewer system shall be made until the owner of the land, or his or her duly authorized agent, has submitted an application in writing to the city for permission to make the same, and has been granted such permission.
A. There shall be two classes of building sewer permits:
1. For residential and commercial service; and 2. For service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his or her agent shall submit an application on a form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications or other information considered pertinent in the judgement of the city or its duly authorized representative. A permit and inspection fee shall be paid according to current fee schedules and cost estimate format established by the city.
B. Upon approval of the application by the city, the public works director shall authorize the building inspector to issue a permit for such installation to a duly licensed plumber or drain layer.
1. Each and every month the public works director shall submit a list of names and addresses or all approved connections within the city of Cranston. This list shall be for notification/informational purposes only (not to ratify or reject).
C. Permits (or separate contracts) issued to establishments producing industrial wastes will include, as a minimum:
1.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
The sewer-connection ordinance splits permits into two classes, residential/commercial service and industrial-waste service, each requiring a written application, plans, and a permit-and-inspection fee set by the city's current fee schedule. Only after the public works director approves the application may the building inspector issue the installation permit, and only to a duly licensed plumber or drain layer. Cranston's own Department of Inspections includes an Inspector of Plumbing and Deputy Inspector of Plumbing alongside the building inspector. The chapter incorporates the State Building Code, Article 17, and the 1975 BOCA Plumbing Code, Article 15, with local modifications, and the applicant must notify the building inspector so the building drain and lateral installation can be inspected before the street connection is made.
Violations & Fines
Connecting without an approved permit, or without using a duly licensed plumber, falls under the code's general penalty: a fine up to $200.00 or up to 30 days' imprisonment (Cranston Code § 1.08.010), since Chapter 13.08 sets no separate fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to connect plumbing to Cranston's sewer system?
What plumbing code applies in Cranston?
Who inspects the work before the sewer connection is made?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle plumbing permits.