New Orleans, LA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Safety and Permits
- Adopted code
- International Plumbing Code, 2021 ed.
- Permit required
- Before work begins (§ 105.1)
- No-permit surcharge
- 200% of permit fee (§ 109.2)
- Base permit fee
- $60 + $5/$1,000 value (§ 109.6)
- Stop-work authority
- Director, § 115.1
Summary
New Orleans enforces plumbing work through the International Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, adopted and amended by City Code § 26-15. Any installation, alteration, repair or replacement of a plumbing system needs a Department of Safety and Permits permit under Building Code § 105.1 before work begins.
101.4.4 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewerage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. ... 105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas or mechanical system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Director and obtain the required permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 116 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The city amended and reordained its building code to read as the International Building Code, 2021 Edition, with local amendments, under City Code §§ 26-14 and 26-15. 1, which requires 'any owner or authorized agent' altering, repairing, or replacing a regulated system to first apply to the Director of the Department of Safety and Permits and obtain a permit before work commences. 00 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a plan-checking fee where plans are filed. 1 to firms that regularly employ qualified trade persons, in lieu of a separate permit for every alteration to an already-approved installation.
Violations & Fines
Starting plumbing work before permit issuance draws a 200 percent fee surcharge under § 109.2; starting after filing but before approval draws 100 percent. Under § 114.4, violators are 'subject to penalties as prescribed by law,' and the Director may seek disconnection of utilities or cancellation of a certificate of occupancy until repairs are completed. The Director may also issue a written stop-work order under § 115.1, and continuing work after a stop-work order is posted is a separate violation under § 115.3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater or repipe a house in New Orleans?
What happens if I start plumbing work without pulling a permit first?
Who inspects plumbing work after the permit is issued?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
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