South Bend, IN Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Section 6-10(a) of the South Bend Building Code bars anyone from performing or causing plumbing work, including installation or alteration, within the city without first obtaining a permit from the Building Department. Section 6-10(b) penalizes skipping that step directly: if a person proceeds without a permit, the applicable permit fee is tripled as a penalty, and paying the tripled fee does not excuse the person from any other penalty or from complying with the rest of the code. The fee schedule in Section 6-10(c) sets a $60 minimum permit and itemizes specific work: $6 for a fixture or trap, $12 to $25 for building sewer or water lines depending on length, $7 for a water heater and vent, $6 for a lawn sprinkler system, and $60 for gas reconnections, with reinspections also billed at $60.

Section 6-10(d) separately requires registration: plumbing contractors, excavators and sewer cleaners must register with the Department for a $125 annual fee, though an owner-occupant installing, altering or repairing their own dwelling's plumbing is exempt from registering. Registered excavators may only pull permits for sewer and water connections to a structure's internal piping; sewer cleaners are limited to repairing existing drainage piping or installing lines from two feet outside a building to the public way; water softener dealers may only permit softening equipment. Any contractor not already covered by a current plumbing license or demolition bond must also post a $10,000 surety bond with the city.

Section 6-10(e) requires three inspections on permitted work, underground, rough-in and final, with 24 hours' advance notice to the plumbing inspector and a $60 reinspection fee for any failed stage.