St. Joseph County, IN Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

St. Joseph County adopts the Indiana Plumbing Code, Article 16 of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code, by reference under § 151.02(A)(3). No one may install or alter plumbing work anywhere in the unincorporated county without first getting a permit from the building department, per § 151.52(A), and every plumbing contractor must hold an Indiana plumbing license and a valid county registration under § 151.53(A). Owner-occupants installing, altering, or repairing plumbing in their own dwelling are exempt from the licensing and registration requirement under § 151.52(B).

The county limits what specialty permits cover: an excavator can only pull a permit for sewer and water line work from two feet outside a building's foundation to the public way, a fire protection sprinkler contractor only for sprinkler systems, and a water softener dealer only for softening equipment, under § 151.52(C). All permitted plumbing gets inspected three separate times, for underground work, rough-in, and final completion, plus a full line test, and the permit holder must give the plumbing inspector at least 24 hours' notice before each inspection, under § 151.52(D).

The plumbing inspector, appointed by the building commissioner, must hold a valid Indiana plumbing license and have at least five years of plumbing experience, per § 151.51. Registration for excavators, sewer cleaners, and plumbing contractors runs for a one-year term starting January 1 under § 151.53(A)(2).