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Davis County, UT Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Adopted plumbing code
1997 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Authority
Rule R156-56-701(1)(c), Utah Admin. Code
Permit gate
issued only after proof of compliance
Fee due
before permit issues, set by Commission
Appeals body
Davis County Board of Appeals
Default penalty
Class B misdemeanor, up to $1,000

Summary

Unincorporated Davis County enforces plumbing work through the 1997 edition of the International Plumbing Code, adopted by reference under Section 14.04.200. A plumbing permit is required the same way any building permit is: the Building Official withholds it until the applicant proves compliance, and building fees are due first under the county's adopted fee schedule.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Davis County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The latest edition of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) specified in Rule R156-56-701(1)(c), Utah Administrative Code, together with any appendices and amendments made to that edition, is adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter in its entirety. The latest edition of the International Plumbing Code specified in that rule is the 1997 ICC edition published and promulgated by the International Code Council... The Enforcement Officer and Building Official shall not issue any permit for the proposed erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or use until proof of full compliance with all the provisions of this chapter has been provided.

Full Breakdown

200 adopts the International Plumbing Code (IPC) "together with any appendices and amendments made to that edition" as the plumbing code for the unincorporated county, specifying the 1997 ICC edition named in Rule R156-56-701(1)(c) of the Utah Administrative Code. 220), all enforced by the same Building Official. 040 must be paid before the county will issue that permit; the County Commission alone can waive them. The Building Official also holds police power to order plumbing or other work stopped mid-job if it violates the adopted code, and any stop order given orally must be confirmed in writing within an hour. 060, which can grant relief only if strict compliance would cause undue hardship and the variance won't harm neighboring property or the public welfare.

Violations & Fines

Installing or altering plumbing without the required permit, or resuming stopped work without the Building Official's written release, is enforced the same way as any other building-code violation: through a written stop-work order and, for a general ordinance violation, a default Class B misdemeanor of up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail under Section 1.08.010, unless the county classifies the offense as a lesser Class C misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plumbing code does Davis County enforce?
The 1997 edition of the International Plumbing Code, adopted by reference under Davis County Code Section 14.04.200, which points to Rule R156-56-701(1)(c) of the Utah Administrative Code. Any appendices and amendments made to that edition are adopted along with it.
Do I need a separate plumbing permit from my building permit?
Plumbing work is issued through the same building-permit process. Section 14.04.020 bars the Building Official from issuing any permit for construction or alteration, including plumbing, until you prove compliance with the adopted codes, and Section 14.04.040 requires the building fee to be paid first.
Can I get a variance from a plumbing code requirement?
Yes, through the Davis County Board of Appeals under Section 14.04.060. The Board can grant a variance only if it finds strict compliance would cause undue hardship for you and that granting it won't be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to neighboring property.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Davis County

All Davis County rules

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