Harrisburg, PA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Chapter 8-105 is the Plumbing Code of the City of Harrisburg. Section 8-105.2 adopts the International Plumbing Code, 2003 Edition, and its appendixes, except where they conflict with Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry regulations under the Uniform Construction Code, and § 8-105.3 has the Bureau of Codes Enforcement administer it.

Section 8-105.13 requires a plumbing permit from the Bureau of Codes Enforcement before any plumbing work, and it applies to an owner-occupant as well. No journeyman or apprentice plumber can obtain a permit. A residential property owner or owner-occupant cannot obtain a permit to work on gas pipe systems. If a permit does issue to an owner-occupant or a residential property owner, that person must actually perform all of the work in accordance with the code.

The permit comes only after the fee is paid and plans and specifications showing the proposed work in reasonable detail are submitted, and the agency decides from those plans that the work will conform with the code. A denial comes in writing, and the applicant can submit revised plans. A change from the approved plans requires amended plans and a supplemental permit, issued on payment of any additional fees.

Under amended section 106.6.2 in § 8-105.4, residential plumbing work costs a nonrefundable $75 application fee plus $8 per $1,000 of estimated cost, and commercial, industrial or nonresidential work costs a nonrefundable $100 application fee plus $10 per $1,000. Each fee also includes the then current Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code fee. A job that fails an initial test or inspection must be corrected and resubmitted, and the permit holder pays a $40 reinspection fee under section 107.3.3.

The trade itself is licensed. Section 8-105.14 requires anyone in the plumbing business to employ only licensed plumbers, and § 8-105.17 requires a master plumber to deposit a $1,000 bond with the Department of Building and Housing Development.