St. Tammany Parish, LA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required by
- UDC § 300-2.A, Director of Permits
- Commercial fee
- 2% of contract, $140 minimum
- Residential fee
- $140 base plus $1 per fixture
- Exempt work
- Stopping leaks, clearing stoppages, no part swap
- Unpermitted work penalty
- $50/day, capped at $2,000
- Permit expires
- 180 days unstarted, or 2 years unfinished
Summary
St. Tammany Parish requires a permit before anyone installs, alters, or replaces a plumbing system in the unincorporated parish under UDC Section 300-2. Plumbing permit fees run two percent of the contract for commercial work and a $140.00 base plus $1.00 per fixture for residential work under Code of Ordinances Section 2-686.
The following are fees for plumbing permits:(1)Commercial.a.Two percent of the executed plumbing contract;b.Minimum fee $140.00.(2)Residential.a.A $140.00 base plus $1.00 per fixture.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 300-2.A requires an owner or authorized agent to apply for and obtain a permit from the Director of Permits and Inspections before erecting, installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing a plumbing system anywhere in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish. Construction is governed by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, adopted by reference under Section 300-1.C.1. Only narrow plumbing work is exempt from a permit under Section 300-2.B.4: stopping a leak in a drain, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe (unless the concealed pipe needs removal and replacement, which does need a permit), and clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, including reinstalling a water closet, as long as no valve, pipe, or fixture gets replaced or rearranged.
Section 2-686 sets the fee schedule: commercial plumbing work costs two percent of the executed plumbing contract with a $140.00 minimum fee. Residential work costs a $140.00 base fee plus $1.00 per fixture. A re-inspection costs $100.00 under Section 2-688, and registration and renewal for plumbing contractors run $100.00 under Section 2-690; paying by credit card or e-check adds a three percent processing fee under Section 2-675.
A plumbing permit expires if the work does not start within 180 days of issuance, if it is suspended for 180 days after starting, or if it is not finished within two years, per Section 300-2.I, though the Director can grant extensions of up to 90 days on written request with justifiable cause.
Violations & Fines
Plumbing work done without the required permit draws the same mandatory penalty as any unpermitted building work: a non-waivable $50.00 per day late penalty once the inspector posts a citation, capped at $2,000.00 in aggregate, under Section 2-541(g). The citation orders construction to stop until a full permit is issued, and the district attorney's office can still seek an injunction or sue to collect the penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish?
How much does a plumbing permit cost in St. Tammany Parish?
What happens if I do plumbing work without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Tammany Parish
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