Plumbing Permits & Inspections
To receive a permit to install plumbing in Hamilton County (excluding the City of Cincinnati), commercial plumbing installers must:
- have Ohio Contractor Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) state license (proof of license is required to obtain permit). Call (614) 644-3495 for more information; and
- be bonded and registered with Hamilton County Public Health (see registration details below).
Workers installing plumbing in Norwood must be a licensed journeyman plumber. Norwood also requires all plumbing contractors to register with the city. Call (513) 458-4510.
Permit Requirements:
- New Building – Residential
- Building permit number (accessible here)
- Isometric drawing of sanitary waste and vent system drawing (click here for an example)
- New Building – Commercial
- Building permit number (accessible here)
- Sealed blueprint of the sanitary waste and vent system
- Full set of blueprints
- New Building – Commercial Restaurant/Food Service/Retail Food Establishment
- Building permit number (http://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov)
- Sealed blueprint of the sanitary waste and vent system
- Full set of blueprints
- Contact Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) concerning installation of grease interceptor and sewer credit ability
- Completed requirements for a food establishments (For buildings located in the city limits of Cincinnati, Norwood and Springdale, refer to the appropriate health department for guidance.)
- New Building – Commercial: Oil Interceptor Installation
- Contact Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) concerning installation
- Homeowners Permit
- Own and live in a single family residence where work will be completed
- Continue to live in single family residence for one year after work is completed
- Complete the work yourself (any “helpers” must be bonded and registered)
- Live in Hamilton County (outside City of Cincinnati)
Providing a copy of the building permit will greatly reduce the processing time. Contractors may submit plumbing permits online.
Inspection process:
Once your plumbing permit has been issued, you will be required to have a series of inspections as your work progresses.
Same Day Inspections
- Contractors must call the Plumbing Division and request an inspection between 7:30-9:00 a.m. (After that time, same day inspections cannot be accommodated.)
- Lower Rough
- Inspection of all sanitary drainage piping beneath a basement floor or underground. When permitted by the manufacturer of the piping products, approved piping must sustain 5 pounds per square inch of air or a 10 foot head of water for 15 minutes. System must pass an approved plumbing test listed in Section 312 of the Ohio Plumbing Code.
- Upper Rough
- Inspection of piping, sanitary, and water lines inside the house prior to dry wall. Inspection includes all completely installed plumbing (excluding fixtures). When permitted by the manufacturer of the piping, approved system must sustain 5 pounds per square inch of air and a 10 foot head of water for 15 minutes. System must pass a approved plumbing test listed in Section 312 of the Ohio Plumbing Code.
- 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) 244-1330 or the Health District’s Water Quality Division at (513) 946-7966, to obtain a Sewage Disposal permit.
- Water Lines
- 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 Inspections
- Inspection of all set plumbing fixtures: toilet, water heater, sinks, etc. System must pass a approved final plumbing test listed in Section 312 of the Ohio Plumbing Code.
