Vestavia Hills, AL Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2021 International Plumbing Code
- Sewer depth minimum
- 6 inches below grade, § 305.4.1
- Underslab drain pipe
- PVC schedule 40 or better
- Unpermitted work penalty
- $100.00 plus doubled permit fee
- Enforcing office
- Department of Building Safety
- Latest amending ordinance
- Ord. No. 3067, 12-20-21
Summary
Vestavia Hills adopted the 2021 International Plumbing Code, with Appendix Chapters B through E, as its plumbing code, and every plumbing system in the city must comply with it. The Department of Building Safety issues plumbing permits, collects fees, and enforces local amendments such as a 6-inch minimum sewer depth at septic tank connections.
(a)A certain document, ... being marked and designated as the International Plumbing Code, 2021 edition, ... be and is hereby adopted as the plumbing code of the City of Vestavia Hills, in the State of Alabama, regulating and governing the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor ... with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in subsection (b). ... 305.4.1 Sewer Depth. Building sewers that connect to private sewage disposal systems shall be a minimum of 6 inches below finished grade at the point of septic tank connection. Building sewers shall be a minimum of 6 inches below grade.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
Code of Ordinances § 5-111(a) adopts the International Plumbing Code, 2021 edition, including Appendix Chapters B, C, D and E, as the plumbing code of the City of Vestavia Hills, governing the design, construction, quality of materials, installation, alteration, repair and maintenance of plumbing systems, and providing for permits and fees. Subsection (b) then locally amends and adds sections. 1 Sewer Depth requires building sewers that connect to private sewage disposal systems to sit a minimum of 6 inches below finished grade at the septic tank connection, and building sewers generally to run at least 6 inches below grade.
1. 1. The plumbing code and its local sections were adopted by Ord. No. 2329 (3-22-10) and most recently updated by Ord. No. 3067 (12-20-21).
Violations & Fines
Plumbing work done without the required permit or contrary to the adopted code can be stopped under § 5-3's stop-work order authority, and continued work after that order draws penalties prescribed by law. Separately, § 5-51(g) fines anyone who starts plumbing work before obtaining a permit $100.00 plus a doubled permit fee, a penalty that applies across every division of the Department of Building Safety, and re-inspection or cancellation fees under § 5-51 apply if a scheduled plumbing inspection is not properly canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plumbing code applies in Vestavia Hills?
How deep must a sewer line be at the septic tank connection?
What happens if I do plumbing work without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vestavia Hills
Compare Vestavia Hills to another location·View the Alabama building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle plumbing permits.