Plumbing Permit in Rochester, New York

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a plumbing permit in Rochester?

Rochester requires a plumbing permit for plumbing work as defined by Chapter 40 of the City Code, and City Code Section 39-308A states that no regulated plumbing work may be performed by anyone without first obtaining a permit. Permits must be applied for by a City of Rochester registered and licensed master plumber, except that an owner occupant of a single-family dwelling doing their own work inside the dwelling may apply. The published exempt list is narrow: replacement of existing fixtures that do not disturb fixed piping, faucet, trap or minor repairs where mechanical connections exist, and repair or replacement of an existing water heater with a like-kind unit of the same type, size and venting. Plumbing permits are applied for online through the permit portal. Always confirm with the City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, Bureau of Zoning and Permitting (Building Permit Office); inspections and code enforcement by the Bureau of Buildings and Compliance before starting.

How much does a plumbing permit cost in Rochester?

The fee page states "Base fee for all plumbing permits $100 in addition to base plumbing permit fees as below." Line items include fixtures installed, removed or capped at $20.00 each residential (3 units or less) and $25.00 each commercial; backflow prevention devices $25.00 under 2 inches and $50.00 over 2 inches; water service renewal under 2 inches without street work $135.00; water main services within the property line of 3/4 inch to 2 inches $55.00 each; reinspection $100.00. The fee page carries the notice "Fees for licenses, building, electrical, and plumbing permits, as well as for certificates of occupancy, will change effective July 1, 2026.". See the official fee schedule for current amounts.

Where do you apply for a plumbing permit in Rochester?

You can apply through the Rochester permit portal or contact the City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, Bureau of Zoning and Permitting (Building Permit Office); inspections and code enforcement by the Bureau of Buildings and Compliance directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a plumbing permit themselves in Rochester?

Under New York law (Inside New York City: NYC Admin. Code 28-104.1, 28-105.1, 28-105.4, 28-105.5.1, 28-401.3 (definition of "general contractor"). Outside New York City: N.Y. Exec. Law 381(2); 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1).): New York State sets no owner-builder rule at all outside New York City. Executive Law 381(2) puts administration and enforcement in the hands of each local government, and 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1) only requires each authority having jurisdiction to make building permits mandatory for work that must conform to the codes, leaving who may apply to local law. The state licenses no general contractors and imposes no owner-builder affidavit, disclosure form or post-permit sale restriction of the kind Florida uses, so whether a homeowner may pull the permit is a question for the specific city, town, village or county. New York City is the genuine outlier. Administrative Code 28-105.1 makes the work itself unlawful without a written permit, and Administrative Code 28-104.1 bars the department from issuing that permit until it approves the required construction documents, which must be prepared by or under the supervision of a registered design professional, meaning a licensed architect or engineer, as required by the code. A homeowner therefore cannot self-prepare and file the plans for permit-requiring work in New York City even though Administrative Code 28-105.5.1 defines the permit applicant as the person who performs the work or retains a subcontractor, and even though the general contractor registration definition in Administrative Code 28-401.3 expressly excludes an individual who constructs a residential structure of no more than three dwelling units for his or her own occupancy. Note that Administrative Code 28-105.4 exempts minor alterations and ordinary repairs from the permit requirement entirely, so the design professional bottleneck applies only to work that needs a permit in the first place. Confirm how Rochester applies this before you apply.