Contractors - Residential Plumbing Permits
To receive a permit to install plumbing in Hamilton County (excluding City of Cincinnati and St. Bernard), residential plumbing installers must be bonded and registered with Hamilton County Public Health. In some cases, homeowners may be able to obtain the permit and complete the work themselves.
Hamilton County Public Health requires all plumbing contractors (for both residential and commerical) to have an OCILB license. Licensee listings can be viewed at http://com.state.oh.us/dic/lics/elicense.aspx.
Obtaining a permit
Effective January 1, 2008 you must submit the following items for residential permits:
- Completed Application for Permit to Install Plumbing
- have Ohio Contractor Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) state License (proof of license is required to obtain permit). Call (614) 644-3495 for more information.
You must have a building permit number before a plumbing permit can be issued. Contact your local building department for more information.
Norwood
The Norwood Building Department requires all plumbing contractors doing work in the City of Norwood to have an Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) License. All workers installing plumbing must be a Norwood licensed journeyman plumber. Norwood also requires all plumbing contractors to register with the city. Call (513) 458-4510 for more information.
Inspection process
Once your plumbing permit has been issued and depending on the type of work to be done, a series of inspections will occur as your work progresses.
For same day inspections, contractors must call the Plumbing Division and request an inspection between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. After that time, same day inspections cannot be accommodated.
Lower Rough Inspection
Inspection of all sanitary drainage piping beneath a basement floor or underground. Approved piping must sustain 5 pounds per square inch of air or a 10 foot head of water for 15 minutes.
Upper Rough Inspection
Inspection of piping, sanitary, and water lines inside the house prior to dry wall. Inspection includes all completely installed plumbing excluding fixtures. Approved system must sustain 5 pounds per square inch of air or a 10 foot head of water for 15 minutes.
New Buildings
An MSD or Sewage Disposal permit number is required before an upper rough plumbing inspection will be conducted on new construction. Contact MSD at (513) 244-1332 or the Health District’s Water Quality Division at (513) 946-7862, to obtain a Sewage Disposal permit.
Water Line Inspection
Inspection of the water line from the water meter to the building. Must be inspected prior to final inspection. Line installation, depth, and material must be approved.
Final Plumbing Inspection
Inspection of all set plumbing fixtures: toilet, water heater, sinks, etc. System must pass a final air test.
Air Test
Plug off the sanitary sewer, cap off vent with water in all traps, apply air pressure to the entire drainage and vent systems or equivalent to at least one inch water column. Maintain for fifteen minutes.