Plumbing & Gas Piping
Basic Information
The Minnesota Plumbing Code is the standard to protect people and the environment from health hazards. The water supply and distribution rules help ensure a safe water supply while the sanitary drainage rules protect our health and environment. The regulations for storm drainage works in conjunction with other entities (like the EPA or DNR) to prevent erosion and to protect our natural waterways. Gas piping rules can be for the gas which is ran to a residential home for the furnace or stove but it could also apply to the MED-Gas used in hospitals or for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). A tracer wire needs to be installed next to buried pipes.
Commercial or Residential Projects
All projects involving piping follow the same code book whether it is a commercial or residential project. The plumbing permit must be taken out by a Plumbing Contractor licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (DOLI), except the owner of a single-family owner-occupied home may take out a permit. If you are interested you can find more information regarding necessary licensing and bonding for contractors.
Plumbing
A Plumbing Permit is needed for plumbing work (water, sewer or stormwater) on private property. Water, sewer & stormwater piping in the right-of-way are addressed by the Engineering Department and may require additional permits. An excavator contractor or other company with a Pipe Layers Card may install piping under the ground from the right-of-way to the building’s exterior. Simple pipe repairs or replacing a simple fixture or faucet does not require a plumbing permit if piping is not touched.
Plumbing Plan Review
Projects that have more than 25 openings or are a food facility require a plumbing plan review. The Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (DOLI) is the responsible party for plumbing plan reviews for certain buildings such as:
- Hospitals, nursing homes, supervised living facilities, or free-standing outpatient surgical centers
- correctional facilities, boarding care homes, residential hospices, or similar state-licensed facilities
- State owned buildings or state agency controlled buildings
- School district or charter school building projects
- Projects of a special nature, including dialysis facilities and other projects for which a department plan review is requested by either the City or the State
For these projects, submit plans for review directly to DOLI. The approved letter & plans should be uploaded when applying for a plumbing permit for one of these types of projects.
Plumbing Inspections
Plumbing Inspections must be requested prior to any work being covered within the walls, ceilings, floors or earth. More information about inspections can be found here. Typical plumbing inspections include rough-in, air test, under floor plumbing, outside water or sewer service, and final inspection.
Gas Piping
Gas Piping Permit are needed for new or replacement gas lines for items such as fireplaces, furnaces, or water heaters, testing of existing gas piping that has been shut off at the meter for more than 6 months, and for underground fuel lines from a residence to an accessory structure. A gas piping permit is not needed when replacing appliances & equipment that has an existing shut off to the appliance/equipment. Gas piping may also be needed for MED-GAS Piping or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling stations.
Gas Piping Plan Review
Gas Piping Review is needed for projects that have underground fuel lines.
The Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (DOLI) is the responsible party for all piping reviews for certain buildings such as:
- Hospitals, nursing homes, supervised living facilities, or free-standing outpatient surgical centers
- correctional facilities, boarding care homes, residential hospices, or similar state-licensed facilities
- State owned buildings or state agency controlled buildings
- School district or charter school building projects
- Projects of a special nature, including dialysis facilities and other projects for which a department plan review is requested by either the City or the State
For these projects, submit plans for review directly to DOLI. The approved letter & plans should be uploaded when applying for a plumbing permit for one of these types of projects.
Buried Fuel Lines/Underground Gas Piping from the principal building to an accessory building on the same site such as running a gas line from your house to your garage) need additional information for the Engineering Department. When applying on ePlace for a gas piping permit, if you check that it is underground, you will be prompted to complete a Buried Fuel Line application from the Engineering Department. This is needed in addition to the Construction Services & Inspections permit as a way to monitor gas usage in the City of Duluth. Once both permits have been applied for, reviewed & paid, the permits will be issued. A tracer wire must be installed next to underground gas lines.
Gas Piping Inspections
Gas inspections must be requested prior to any work being covered within the walls, ceilings, floors or earth. More information about inspections can be found here. MED-GAS piping & storage needs an inspection from the Fire Marshal's office. Call the Fire Marshal & leave the permit number & address when requesting an inspection. Follow the instructions for any inspections by the Engineering Department on their buried gas line permit.