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LaPorte County, IN Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Adopted code: State Plumbing Code, 675 I.A.C. 16-1.3
Permit trigger: new plumbing, § 151.20(A)
Prerequisite: valid septic permit, § 151.21(B)(3)
Water heater permit fee: $15, § 151.27(N)
General alteration rate: $0.43/sq ft, $50 minimum
Unpermitted work penalty: fee tripled

Summary

LaPorte County requires a permit before installing new plumbing in the unincorporated county under § 151.20(A), and adopts the state Plumbing Code at 675 I.A.C. 16-1.3-1 et seq., including the Sanitary Engineer Standards, by reference under § 151.05(E) as the installation standard the Building Commissioner enforces.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of LaPorte County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(E) 675 I.A.C. 16-1.3-1 et seq., Plumbing Code: (1) State Plumbing Code; and (2) Sanitary Engineer Standards.

View official code

Full Breakdown

C. into the county code as the State Plumbing Code and Sanitary Engineer Standards, together with later amendments published in the Indiana Register or Indiana Administrative Code, governing plumbing installation, alteration, use, and occupancy in the unincorporated county. 21(B)(3). C. 21(A)(2). 27(D). 23, and the contractor is responsible for requesting an inspection, which the office aims to perform within 48 hours of notice.

Violations & Fines

Plumbing work performed without the required permit triggers the same penalty as any other unpermitted work under § 151.26(C): the fee is tripled once the violation is discovered, and paying the tripled fee does not excuse the responsible party from further penalties. The Building Commissioner may issue a written stop order under § 151.23(E) for non-compliant plumbing work, and anyone who continues after being served, whether contractor, subcontractor, or property owner, is subject to the fines and remedies at §§ 150.15 through 150.21.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plumbing code applies in LaPorte County?

The county adopts the State Plumbing Code and Sanitary Engineer Standards at 675 I.A.C. 16-1.3-1 et seq. by reference under § 151.05(E), including later amendments published in the Indiana Register. The Building Commissioner enforces that state code rather than a locally written plumbing ordinance.

Do I need a septic permit before a plumbing permit in LaPorte County?

Yes. Section 151.21(B)(3) requires the Building Commissioner's office to confirm the applicant holds a valid septic permit as part of reviewing any building permit application, which covers plumbing work tied to a septic system in the unincorporated county.

How much does a water heater permit cost in LaPorte County?

A water heater installation is priced separately on the fee schedule at $15 under § 151.27(N). Plumbing installed as part of a broader remodel or addition instead falls under the general alteration fee of $0.43 per square foot, with a $50 minimum, under § 151.27(D).

Sources & Official References

[1]LaPorte County Code of Ordinances § 151.05(E)

Other rules in LaPorte County

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All LaPorte County rules

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