Westminster, CO Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Section 11-9-8 adopts "the Colorado Plumbing Code (as required by C.R.S. Title 12 Article 155 and the Colorado State Plumbing Board) and the International Plumbing Code, 2021 edition, and appendices therein contained" as the plumbing code of the City. Section 11-9-3(A)(1) folds plumbing work into the general permit rule, making it unlawful to "construct, install, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, replace, convert, demolish, equip, or change the occupancy of any ... plumbing system" without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Official.

The exempt-work list at Section 11-9-3(A)(2) covers only "the stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained," plus clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not require replacing or rearranging valves, pipes, or fixtures. Locally amended sections of the 2021 IPC also set specific technical standards: Section 305.4 requires exterior water supply piping at least 42 inches below grade to prevent freezing, and Section 305.4.1 requires building sewers connecting to septic systems to sit at least 42 inches below finished grade. As with other building permits, only a City-registered contractor may generally pull a plumbing permit, except an owner permitting work on their own single-family detached home.