Waco, TX Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Chapter 6, Article IV governs plumbing, gas, and mechanical work. Sec. 6-216 bars anyone from engaging in the business of plumbing as a master plumber without a license from the state board of plumbing examiners on file with the building official, and Sec. 6-217 requires a journeyman plumber's license for anyone doing plumbing or gas-fitting work, with out-of-city journeymen required to register their license number locally. Sec. 6-236, the core permit requirement, states that no one may do any plumbing work, install or connect a fixture, repair plumbing, or extend, alter, or relocate fixtures, except as the division provides, until obtaining a permit from the building official, and the city will not issue a permit unless the applicant holds a Sec.

6-216 master plumber's license. No permit is required for minor repairs such as fixing pipe or trap leaks, opening waste or supply lines, or replacing a broken fixture, and no further permits issue to anyone with uncorrected violations of the article. Sec. 6-218 exempts a homeowner performing plumbing work with his own hands in his own home, and appliance dealers or their employees doing appliance installation and service, from the licensing requirement, though both groups still need the permit, inspection, and fee that otherwise apply.

Sec. 00 surety bond, or under Sec. 00 property-damage coverage, before any plumbing permit issues. Sec. 6-237 makes it unlawful for anyone other than the permit holder, or the permit holder's employee, to work under that permit.