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Pittsburgh, PA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Issuing agency
Allegheny County Health Department
Adopted code
2003 International Plumbing Code
Governing section
Pittsburgh Code § 1002.02
BBI's role
Does not issue plumbing permits

Summary

Pittsburgh adopts the International Plumbing Code as part of its Uniform Construction Code, but plumbing permits aren't issued by the Bureau of Building Inspection: the Allegheny County Health Department issues and enforces them under Pittsburgh Code § 1002.02.

105.1.2 Required permits not issued by BBI. The following is a list of required permits, which are not issued by BBI, and the enforcement entity responsible for issuing them: ... Plumbing Permits: For work covered under the scope of "The International Plumbing Code" and "The International Residential Code" Part VII; The Allegheny County Health Department.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Pittsburgh Code § 1002.01, the city adopted the 2003 International Plumbing Code and International Residential Code Part VII as part of its Uniform Construction Code, codified at 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-403. Section 1002.02 amends UCC Section 105.1.2 to list the permits the Bureau of Building Inspection does not issue directly: plumbing work covered by the Plumbing Code and Residential Code Part VII requires a permit from the Allegheny County Health Department instead of BBI. Building, electrical, and mechanical permits still go through BBI under Section 105.1.1.

Violations & Fines

Working without a required plumbing permit is enforced as a code violation under UCC Section 113.4, penalized per Act 45 § 903 (35 P.S. § 7210.903), covering fines and stop-work orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the City of Pittsburgh issue plumbing permits?
No. Pittsburgh Code § 1002.02 assigns plumbing permits to the Allegheny County Health Department, not the Bureau of Building Inspection, even though the city adopted the International Plumbing Code as its standard.
What plumbing code applies in Pittsburgh?
The 2003 International Plumbing Code, adopted under Pittsburgh Code § 1002.01 as part of the Uniform Construction Code required statewide by 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-403.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pittsburgh

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsBuilding InspectionsSome RestrictionsElevator MaintenanceSome RestrictionsLead PaintSignificant RestrictionsFire Sprinkler RequirementsSome RestrictionsGreen Building CodeSome RestrictionsChildcare Center RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Pittsburgh rules

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