Fort Smith, AR Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Fort Smith City Code §§ 6-238, 6-240
- Adopted code
- 2018 Arkansas State Plumbing Code
- Master plumber bond
- $2,000 filed with city clerk
- Homeowner exception
- May permit own-home plumbing work
Summary
Fort Smith adopts the 2018 state plumbing and fuel gas codes and requires plumbing work to be done by a state-licensed, city-registered master plumber under an automatic permit, or by the homeowner with a permit.
Plumbing in accordance with the above licensing and registration requirements shall be permitted under an automatic permit issued to the supervising master plumber. The homeowner performing his own plumbing shall be required to obtain his permit in advance by appearing in person before the plumbing inspector who shall inquire into the knowledge and capability of the home owner, and issue appropriate advice.(c)Registrations shall be valid for the calendar year in which issued, so that all registrations shall expire on December 31 each calendar year. Registrations may be renewed upon application filed by the licensee 30 days preceding, or 30 days following December 31 of each year. A penalty of $5.00 per month for the late renewals may be assessed.(d)The following fees shall be required under this section: Master plumber: $25.00.
Journeyman plumber: $20.00.
Gas fitters: $20.00.
Supervisor gas fitter: $25.00.
Apprentice registration: $10.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 6-238 adopts the 2018 state plumbing code and fuel gas code as the controlling standard inside Fort Smith. Under § 6-240, no one may perform plumbing work in the city without a state license and city plumbing-inspector registration, and installations must be supervised by a registered master plumber, whose registration carries an automatic permit. A homeowner may do their own plumbing in a home they own and occupy, but must appear in person before the plumbing inspector and obtain a permit in advance. Registered master plumbers must also file a $2,000 bond with the city clerk under § 6-241.
Violations & Fines
Unlicensed or unregistered plumbing work is a misdemeanor under § 6-244, and additional inspections triggered by a plumber's failure to comply carry a $20 penalty per reinspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a homeowner do their own plumbing in Fort Smith?
What plumbing code does Fort Smith enforce?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
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