Midland, TX Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2018 International Plumbing Code, Appendices B-E
- Plumber license
- State license plus $300,000 insurance required
- Homeowner work
- Still needs a permit and must pay fees
- No-permit repair
- Routine under-slab leak repair is permit-exempt
- Sewer depth
- Building sewer minimum 12 inches below grade
- Appeal path
- Appeals go to the Board of Appeals
Summary
Midland requires a plumbing permit under Chapter 4-3 of the Code of Ordinances, which adopts the 2018 International Plumbing Code with Appendices B, C, D and E for all plumbing and piping installed, replaced, maintained or repaired inside the city. A plumber must hold a state license and $300,000 of insurance, and even a homeowner working on his own home still needs a permit and must pay the fee.
The specifications, rules and regulations entitled 2018 International Plumbing Code, together with appendices B, C, D, and E, as promulgated and published by the International Code Council, Inc., are hereby adopted as the Plumbing Code as fully as if copied at length in this Chapter and are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 4-3 covers 'the safe installation of plumbing and piping in the City' (Sec. 4-3-1) and adopts the 2018 IPC 'as fully as if copied at length' (Sec. 4-3-2). Sec. 1(A)). 1(B)). 2). 1). 3). 1 footnote). A permit applicant or building owner aggrieved by a Plumbing Inspector or Building Official decision may appeal to the Board of Appeals under the same rules used for Building Code appeals (Sec. 4-3-4).
Violations & Fines
Midland deleted the Plumbing Code's own violation-penalty section (§ 108.4) and instead enforces plumbing offenses through the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-3-1: a fine up to $500.00 for each day a violation continues. Work that continues after the code official issues a written stop-work order is a separate violation subject to penalties 'as prescribed by law' under amended § 108.5, and the code official does not need to give written notice before stopping work in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Midland homeowner need a permit to fix their own plumbing?
Is there an exception for a slab leak repair?
What license does a plumbing contractor need to work in Midland?
Can an irrigation installer connect to the water supply without a plumber's license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Midland to another location·View the Texas building safety overview
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