Wayne County, MI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- International Plumbing Code, 1996 edition
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Services Buildings Division
- Permit trigger
- Construction, remodeling, or alteration work
- Local carve-out
- Cities with own code dept exempt
Summary
Wayne County adopted the 1996 International Plumbing Code as Chapter 233's plumbing standard and requires Buildings Division plan review and approval before any plumbing work begins, unless your city runs its own certified building department.
The International Plumbing Code, 1996 edition, is adopted as the plumbing code of the county. ... It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or agency to commence construction, demolition, remodeling or alteration of any building, facility or structure without first submitting plans and specifications to the buildings division for review and approval under the codes adopted herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 233 of the Wayne County Code of Ordinances adopts the International Plumbing Code, 1996 edition, as the county's plumbing code (§ 233-5), part of a package with the county's building, fire, electrical and mechanical codes (Ord. No. 97-35). Section 233-7(b) makes it unlawful to start construction, demolition, remodeling or alteration of any building or facility - plumbing included - without first submitting plans and specifications to the Department of Public Services Buildings Division for review and approval. Section 233-7(d) preserves local authority: cities and townships that administer their own certified building department under the state Construction Code Act enforce their own plumbing permits instead of the county's.
Violations & Fines
Section 233-7(b) makes starting plumbing work without Buildings Division plan approval unlawful; the chapter sets no separate civil-fine schedule for it, so it is enforced as a code violation by the Department of Public Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wayne County require a permit for plumbing work?
Which plumbing code does Wayne County use?
Does the county or my city issue the plumbing permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wayne County
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