Flint, MI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, before work begins
- Fee source
- Set by City Council resolution
- No-permit penalty
- Fee may be doubled
- Enforcing official
- City Building Official
- Technical code
- State Plumbing Code, locally enforced
Summary
Flint requires a permit and inspection for plumbing work under the BOCA Basic National Plumbing Code, with fees set by City Council resolution and doubled fees for starting work first.
(e) BOCA Basic National Plumbing Code. The schedule of fees to be charged for permits and inspections required by the BOCA Basic National Plumbing Code currently administered by the City of Flint, shall be established from time to time by resolution of the City Council... (2) If work is started prior to obtaining a permit, the City may: a. Double the fee. b. Stop the work until a permit is obtained. c. Issue an appearance ticket requiring the contractor or owner to appear in District Court, where a fine and/or jail sentence may be imposed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2016 Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 3821, passed 3-1-2012).
Full Breakdown
The City of Flint charges permit and inspection fees for plumbing work under the BOCA Basic National Plumbing Code, set from time to time by City Council resolution and kept on file in Appendix A of the City Code (Flint Code of Ordinances § 26-4(e)). If work starts before a permit is obtained, the City may double the fee, stop the job, issue a District Court appearance ticket, or refer the matter for prosecution. Separately, § 36-1 designates the City's Building Official as the enforcing agency for the State of Michigan Plumbing Code (Act 230 of 1972, MCL §§ 125.1501 et seq.): the technical plumbing standards themselves are state-set, not local.
Violations & Fines
Starting plumbing work before a permit issues lets the City double the fee, stop the job, issue a District Court appearance ticket, or refer the case for prosecution under § 26-4(e)(2).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in Flint?
What if I start plumbing work without a permit in Flint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
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