Huntsville, AL Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2018 International Plumbing Code
- Governing section
- Sec. 7-197
- Amendments
- Sec. 7-198 deletes permit exemptions
- Administered by
- City inspection division
Summary
Huntsville has adopted the 2018 International Plumbing Code by reference and stripped out the code's permit exemptions, so a city permit is required for plumbing work.
there is hereby adopted, and incorporated herein by reference as if set out at length in this section, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations within the city for the construction, alteration, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of buildings or structures, including permits and penalties, a certain code known as the International Plumbing Code, 2018 edition, Chapters 1—11; 15 and appendices "B", "C", "D" and "E", published by the International Code Council, Inc., save and except such portions as are deleted, modified or amended in this division; and the provisions of such code shall be controlling as provided in this section.(b)Any energy-efficient building envelopes and installation of energy-efficient mechanical, lighting and power systems in structures shall meet the Alabama Energy Codes, as deleted, modified or amended in division 11. (Ord. No. 21-1006, § 2, 11-18-2021, eff. 1-1-2022)
Sec. 7-198. - Deletions, modifications and amendments. The International Plumbing Code, 2018 edition, Chapters 1—11; 15 and appendices "B", "C", "D", and "E" as adopted in this division, are deleted, modified and amended as follows:
(1)Amend subsection 101.2 "Scope" to read:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
City ordinance adopts the 2018 International Plumbing Code (Chapters 1-11, 15, and appendices B-E) wholesale for construction, alteration, and use of plumbing systems, including permits and penalties. Huntsville then deleted the model code's own carve-outs: Section 106.1.1 (Annual permit), 106.1.2 (Annual permit records), and 106.2 (Work Exempt from Permit) were each struck in their entirety, closing the loopholes that would otherwise let minor plumbing work skip a permit.
Violations & Fines
Plumbing work done without an inspection division permit violates the adopted International Plumbing Code as amended; the code official can require correction and the standard Ch. 7 building-code penalty provisions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Huntsville require a permit for all plumbing work?
What plumbing code edition does Huntsville use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntsville
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