Free Plumbing Information Sessions
The Plumbing unit is providing free informational sessions to help people with the plumbing filing process. Department experts will explain the necessary documentation for a project’s successful signoff.
All 
information sessions will be at the Buildings Department headquarters in Manhattan at 280 Broadway, in the 6th floor conference room.
Installing Outdoor Gas Heaters for Sidewalk Cafés
About the Plumbing Division
Plumbing work is defined by the NYC Building Code as “the installation, maintenance, repair, modification, extension or alteration of any waste, domestic water, gas or fire standpipes in any building or piping system.”
The Department of Buildings Plumbing Division has offices in all five boroughs. The Plumbing Division is charged with enforcing the City's plumbing code to make sure that drinking water is kept safe from contamination and that gas lines and appliances are installed and maintained in a safe manner.
Application and Permit Information
Simple repairs or direct replacement of existing faucets or fixtures such as toilets and sinks are considered cosmetic work and do not require a permit. Direct replacement involves work that does not alter or change the fixture's hot and cold water shutoff valves or fixture trap.
Work involving the alteration, rearrangement, relocation or permanent removal of any piping must be supervised by a licensed master plumber or fire suppression piping contractor. The licensed master plumber or fire suppression piping contractor must obtain permits from the Department and arrange for necessary tests and inspections of completed work by a Department inspector.
To find a licensed master plumber or fire suppression piping contractor, you may contact these trade organizations:
You may contact the Licensing Unit to verify that someone is a licensed master plumber or fire suppression piping contractor. You can also search for licensees using the Buildings Information System (BISWeb). To learn more about how to use this search function, click here.
For more information on plumbing applications and permits, see the Buildings Knowledge Series, Plumbing Work: Plumbing Applications and Permits.
For more information on Fire Suppression installation, see the Buildings Knowledge Series, Fire Suppression Work: The Guide to Fire Pump Installation and Testing.
- Complaints
- To report unprofessional conduct by a licensed master plumber or a fire suppression piping contractor, contact the Buildings Special Investigations Unit (BSIU).
- To report an unlicensed plumber or fire suppression piping contractor, contact the Office of Internal Audits and Discipline (IAD).
- Non-emergency complaints can be made by dialing 311.
PIPES Update
The Plumbing Inspection Portable Entry System (PIPES) was implemented on February 2, 2004 to integrate portable information technologies into the Plumbing Division's appointment scheduling, notification, routing, and inspection processes. PIPES provides automated support for scheduling, geographic routing, field inspections, results tracking, and job sign-off. After the implementation of PIPES:
- Inspectors are using handheld devices to record inspection results and upload results daily, which are automatically directed to BISWeb.
- Inspection notifications are processed the same day, if submitted before 2:30 pm and acceptance/rejections are transmitted to the permit holder.
- Acceptance notifications can be viewed on BISWeb.
- To view rejected applications, see OP-98 Rejections.
Learn more about PIPES.
If you'd like to join the Department of Buildings team as an inspector or other staff member, please see Career Opportunities.
