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York County, VA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

New residential plumbing fee
$130 (first 3 fixtures) + $2/fixture
New commercial plumbing fee
$130 + $10/fixture
Alterations/repairs (flat fee)
$90
Water/sewer connection
$90, +$45 if septic abandoned
Contractor requirement
state-certified master plumber

Summary

York County, Virginia requires a plumbing permit for any fixture, water-supply or sewer-connection work, including manufactured-home hookups, under County Code § 7.1-8(b). New residential plumbing carries a $130 base fee covering the first three fixtures, plus $2 for each additional fixture.

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

(b)Plumbing Permits. A plumbing permit shall be required for any work which includes but is not limited to the installation or alteration of plumbing fixtures or water supply systems, and connections to any building drain, public or private sanitary sewage system or manufactured (mobile) home hook up.(1)New residential use groups, per dwelling unit—Base fee: $130. Base fee includes first three fixtures plus $2 for each fixture thereafter.

Full Breakdown

The plumbing fee schedule scales with the scope of work: additions to an existing residence run a $90 base fee plus $10 per fixture, new commercial plumbing (including additions) runs $130 plus $10 per fixture, and alterations or repairs across all use groups carry a flat $90 fee. Connecting to water or sewer service costs $90, with an extra $45 tacked on if a septic tank is abandoned as part of the job. Any plumbing scope not covered by the listed categories is billed at 1% of the retail or market value of the work, with a $90 minimum, under § 7.1-8(b)(7).

The chapter's general lead-in to § 7.1-8 also controls who may legally do the work: it is unlawful for an owner, lessee or agent to knowingly hire anyone to perform plumbing work unless that person is a certified master plumber or qualifies for an exemption under the Virginia Board for Contractors' Tradesman Certification Rules, and unlawful for a contracting firm to take on plumbing work unless it is a state-registered contractor employing a certified master in that trade.

Violations & Fines

Performing plumbing work without the required permit, or hiring an uncertified tradesperson to do it, violates Chapter 7.1. Section 7.1-59 makes such violations unlawful and subject to a fine up to the maximum permitted by § 36-106 of the Code of Virginia, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense, and the building code official may serve a notice of violation under § 7.1-58 before summonsing the responsible party to general district court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a plumbing permit for a new house in York County?
Under § 7.1-8(b)(1), a new residential dwelling unit carries a $130 base fee that covers the first three fixtures, plus $2 for each fixture beyond that.
Do I need a permit to replace a fixture or water heater in York County?
Yes. Alterations and repairs to plumbing in any use group carry a flat $90 permit fee under § 7.1-8(b)(4), and the work must be performed by a Virginia certified master plumber or an exempt tradesperson under the chapter's general permit provisions.
Is a permit required to abandon a septic tank when connecting to county sewer?
Yes. County Code § 7.1-8(b)(5) sets the water/sewer connection fee at $90, plus an additional $45 if a septic tank is abandoned as part of the connection work.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in York County

All York County rules

Compare York County to another location·View the Virginia building safety overview

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