Saint Paul, MN Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Install, alter, repair or replace plumbing/gas piping
- Adopted standard
- Minnesota State Plumbing Code per § 34.07
- Base fixture fee
- $92 base plus $36 per fixture
- Sewer permit fee
- $85 flat building sewer permit
- Per-structure rule
- Separate permit required for each building
Summary
No one may install, remove, alter, repair or replace plumbing, gas or drainage piping, a standpipe or sprinkler system, or water heating/treating equipment in Saint Paul without a permit from the building official under Legislative Code § 33.03(b), which enforces the Minnesota State Plumbing Code as adopted into Chapter 33 under § 34.07's definition.
(b)Plumbing. No person shall install, remove, alter, repair, or replace or cause to be installed, removed, altered, repaired or replaced any plumbing, gas or drainage piping work, standpipe system, sprinkler system, or any fixture or water heating or treating equipment in a building or premises without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the building official. A separate permit shall be obtained for each building or structure. [Sec. 34.07 Definitions] Plumbing code. The Minnesota State Plumbing Code, as adopted by the city under Chapter 33 of the Legislative Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
03(b) covers plumbing work broadly: installing, removing, altering, repairing or replacing plumbing, gas or drainage piping, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems, or any fixture, water heater or water-treating equipment in a building or premises all require a permit from the building official first, and a separate permit is required for each building or structure. 07 as the Minnesota State Plumbing Code, as adopted by the city under Chapter 33 of the Legislative Code, so DSI inspects new plumbing against the state plumbing code, not a home-grown local standard.
04(g)(7): a $92 base fee for drain-waste-vent, water supply and fixture permits, plus $36 per fixture set, roughed-in or replaced and $6 per water-supply fixture; a flat $85 building sewer permit fee; $257 for each private waste treatment system; and gas-appliance permits starting at $85 for the first device up to 100,000 BTUs, $34 for each additional device, and a scaled fee above 100,000 BTUs capped at $1,007. Radon mitigation system permits are a flat $150. 04(g)(8) and (11). 03(e).
Violations & Fines
Plumbing, gas piping or fixture work done without the § 33.03(b) permit is a misdemeanor under § 33.09, and DSI adds a penalty fee equal to the standard permit fee for work started before permitting. The citywide misdemeanor cap under § 1.05 is a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Water and sewer connections must also conform to water utility standards and the state plumbing code under separate chapter 95 requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Saint Paul?
What plumbing code does the city enforce?
How much does a basic plumbing permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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