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

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Adopted code: Indiana Plumbing Code, 675 IAC Art. 16
Permit required: Before any plumbing installation or alteration
Owner exemption: Owner-occupants of their own dwelling
Inspections: 3 required: underground, rough-in, final
Registration term: 1 year, starting January 1
Inspector qualification: 5 years' experience, Indiana license

Summary

St. Joseph County adopts the Indiana Plumbing Code and requires a building department permit before any plumbing installation or alteration, plus a licensed or county-registered contractor, except for owner-occupants working on their own homes.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

§ 151.02(A) Pursuant to IC 22-13-2-3(b), the rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission as set out in the following Articles of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code are hereby incorporated by reference in this code... (3) Article 16 - Indiana Plumbing Code. ... § 151.52(A) No person shall perform or cause to be performed the installation or alteration of any plumbing work on or within the county without obtaining, in advance, a permit from the department as specified in sections 150.15—150.30. (B) All persons performing plumbing services within the county shall be a licensed contractor or registered contractor; provided, however, that the owner-occupant of a dwelling shall not be required to be licensed or registered when he or she is installing, altering or repairing the plumbing of that dwelling.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).

Full Breakdown

St. 02(A)(3). 53(A). 52(B). 52(C). 52(D). 51. 53(A)(2).

Violations & Fines

Performing plumbing work without the required county permit, or without holding an Indiana plumbing license and county registration under §§ 151.52 and 151.53, violates this chapter and is subject to the general penalty in § 10.99 under § 151.99(A). Skipping any of the three mandatory inspections, or failing to give the plumbing inspector 24 hours' notice before work is covered up, is likewise a violation of § 151.52(D), and each failed inspection triggers a separate re-inspection fee under § 150.19.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do my own plumbing work on my house?

Yes. Section 151.52(B) exempts an owner-occupant from the licensing and registration requirement when installing, altering, or repairing the plumbing in the dwelling they live in. You still need a permit from the building department under § 151.52(A) before starting the work, and the same three inspections apply.

How many times does the county inspect plumbing work?

Three times under § 151.52(D): once for underground work, once for rough-in, and once for final completion, plus a full line test supervised by the plumbing inspector. You must give the inspector at least 24 hours' notice before each one, and a failed inspection means a re-inspection fee before the county looks again.

Does an excavator need a full plumbing contractor license?

No, but the county limits the scope. Section 151.52(C)(1) lets an excavator pull a permit only for sewer and water line work between two feet outside a building's foundation and the public way; separate limited permits exist for fire sprinkler contractors, lawn sprinkler contractors, sewer cleaners, and water softener dealers.

Sources & Official References

[1]St. Joseph County, Indiana Code of Ordinances

Other rules in St. Joseph County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Building PermitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Electrical PermitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsHeavy Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight Restrictions

All St. Joseph County rules

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