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Louisville, KY Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License required
KY Master Plumber License
ID fee
$150 per year
ID period
March 1 – Feb 29
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Codes and Regulations

Summary

Plumbing work in Louisville Metro requires an identified contractor holding a Kentucky Master Plumber License, and no permit issues without that identification.

Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of installation or repair of plumbing systems or equipment shall be identified with the Department. Each identified plumbing contractor shall have and maintain a Commonwealth of Kentucky Master Plumber License. ... No person, firm, partnership or corporation shall obtain a permit unless they are an identified or licensed contractor or property owner.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government requires anyone installing or repairing plumbing systems or equipment to be identified with the Department of Codes and Regulations and to hold a Commonwealth of Kentucky Master Plumber License. Identification runs March 1 through the following February 29 and costs $150 a year. Separately, no contractor may obtain a building permit, plumbing included, unless they are an identified or licensed contractor or the property owner, and permits require proof of workers' compensation, unemployment, and general liability insurance first. This applies Metro-wide except in the handful of home rule cities inside Jefferson County that run their own building-inspection programs.

Violations & Fines

Practicing plumbing work without Department identification, or obtaining a permit while unidentified, is a code violation enforceable under the general Chapter 150 penalty provision (§ 150.999); identification/license revocation or suspension can follow repeated permit or inspection failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Louisville Metro require plumbers to be licensed?
Yes. Any person or firm installing or repairing plumbing must be identified with the Department and hold a Commonwealth of Kentucky Master Plumber License.
Can a homeowner pull their own plumbing permit?
The code requires permits to go to an identified/licensed contractor or the property owner: the property owner is the stated exception to the contractor-identification rule.

Sources & Official References

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All Louisville rules

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