Pawtucket, RI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Pawtucket doesn't issue its own trade license for plumbers: § 306-4 makes it unlawful to carry on the plumbing business in the city, or to connect to the city water system, without a license from the State of Rhode Island. The general standard in § 306-1 requires all plumbing work in the city to be done "in the best manner to protect the public against injury" and to satisfy both state and local requirements. Separately, § 306-5 formally adopts, by reference, "the Plumbing Code currently in effect in the City of Pawtucket" to govern the design and installation of sanitary and storm drainage, sanitary facilities, water supplies, and stormwater and sewage disposal in buildings citywide, with a copy kept on file in the Office of the Director of Zoning and Code Enforcement.

Section 306-6 defines that code's "administrative authority" as the Director of the Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement or a designated representative, meaning plumbing permits and inspections in Pawtucket run through that Division rather than a standalone plumbing board. The Director of Public Works also has a specific remedy for bad street-level work: under § 306-2, if plumbing work in a city street or public place is unsatisfactory, the Director can order it repaired within one year, after giving the original plumber one day's notice, and then bill that plumber for the repair cost.