For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings defined herein:
CONDUCTOR Any inside roof drainpipe draining a roof or that part of any outside roof drainpipe permanently connected with the sewer system.
FACTORY-CERTIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN A person employed by a factory or plant which manufactures equipment, devices, fixtures, components, assemblies, controls, and other similar parts for the electrical, elevators, fuel devices or
plumbing trades, who has the working knowledge of the trade manufactured for and of the equipment, etc., manufactured by such factory, and has been trained and certified by such manufacturer as being knowledgeable and capable of installing and servicing the equipment and components, etc., in the field wherever it is installed.
[Added 7-20-2004, effective 8-2-2004]
MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL For a commercial building, one of the following categories:
[Added 7-20-2004, effective 8-2-2004]
A. The individual property owner (or owners), who is capable and has a working knowledge of repairs and replacements in-kind in the fields of work called for in properly maintaining his/her building and site.
B. Any employee(s) in the direct employ of the owner(s), not as a contractor or subcontractor, but as an actual employee, whose job it is to maintain the property and who is capable and has a working knowledge of repairs and replacements in-kind in the fields of work called for in properly maintaining the building and site that he/she has been employed by the owner to maintain.
PLUMBING FIXTURES Includes any receptacle or conduit carrying or discharging waste or water, or both, connected directly or indirectly with the plumbing system, including the hot- or cold-water lines or hot-water tanks or heaters, and which is connected directly or indirectly with the City water or sewer services. Repair parts added to or replaced on any fixture shall not be considered as a fixture in the charging of fees herein.
REINSPECTION An additional inspection where it is found by the Division of New Construction that the work has not been done in a satisfactory manner or not in compliance with this article, the rules and regulations for the registration of plumbers and installation of plumbing and drainage in the City of Buffalo and other applicable ordinances of the City of Buffalo.
[Added 7-20-2004, effective 8-2-2004]
A. All work, materials, parts, elements, components, finishes, equipment and/or fixtures, assemblies and systems shall comply with the requirements of the Plumbing Code of New York State irrespective of the requirement for a plumbing permit or payment of plumbing permit fees.
B. All work shall comply with the provisions of the codes and ordinances of this Charter irrespective of requirement for a plumbing permit or payment of plumbing permit fees.
C. All work is subject to all other applicable approvals and reviews and their attendant fees irrespective of requirement for a plumbing permit or payment of plumbing permit fees.
D. The owner of a building, structure or lot is the primary responsible party in building permit and building permit fee matters. The use or employment of any agent, a licensed design professional, or a licensed contractor does not obviate the owner's responsibilities.
[Amended 12-9-2003, effective 12-19-2003]
Plumbing work shall not be commenced until a permit for such work has been issued by the Commissioner. A plumbing permit shall only be issued to a City of Buffalo Licensed Master Plumber. A plumbing permit is not transferable. A plumbing permit may be issued to an individual resident owner, who has proven to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Permit and Inspection Services that they are personally qualified to perform such plumbing work within their own home.
[Amended 12-9-2003, effective 12-19-2003; 7-20-2004, effective 8-2-2004]
A. Repairs to existing plumbing installations in existing one- and two-family dwellings which are limited to:
(1) The repair in part or whole of any faucet, or supply tubes and fixture stops attached to said faucet;
(2) The unblocking of stoppages of drains, which does not entail cutting out any section of drain past the fixture trap;
(3) The repair of tubular drain assemblies and their connection to any sink or bathtub;
(4) The repair of water closet stop valves, supply tubes, and flushing mechanisms;
(5) The repair of any existing plumbing fixture, excluding hot water tanks; and
(6) The repair of sections of piping for the water distribution system to repair leaks, provided the piping is located aboveground or above the floor in a basement or cellar, and the repair does not encompass more than 20 lineal feet of piping.
| Resident homeowners and appropriately licensed plumbing contractors may make such repairs to existing installations, consistent with the definition of "repairs," without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. However, even when plumbing permits are not required, all installations, materials, parts, elements, components, fixtures, fittings, assemblies or systems used in such Repairs must conform to current plumbing code requirements, as well as current BCNYS Building and Energy Code requirements and City Charter, codes and ordinances. |
| No other plumbing repairs may be made in existing one- and two-family dwellings without first obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. |
B. Repairs to existing plumbing installations in existing commercial buildings which are limited to:
(1) The repair in part or whole of any faucet or supply tubes and fixture stops attached to said faucet;
(2) The unblocking of stoppages of drains, which does not entail cutting out any section of drain past the fixture trap;
(3) The repair of tubular drain assemblies and their connection to any sink or bathtub;
(4) The repair of water closet stop valves, supply tubes, and flushing mechanisms; and
(5) The repair of urinal flush valve systems.
| Maintenance personnel and appropriately licensed plumbing contractors may make such repairs to existing installations, consistent with the definition of "repairs," without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. However, even when plumbing permits are not required, installations, all materials, parts, elements, components, fixtures, fittings, assemblies or systems used in such repairs must conform to current plumbing code requirements, as well as current BCNYS Building and Energy Code requirements and City Charter, codes and ordinances. |
| No other plumbing repairs may be made in existing commercial buildings without first obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. |
C. Replacements in-kind to existing plumbing installations at existing one and two family dwellings which are limited to:
(1) The replacement in-kind in part or whole of any faucet, or supply tubes and fixture stops attached to said faucet;
(2) The unblocking of stoppages of drains, which does not entail cutting out any section of drain past the fixture trap;
(3) The replacement in-kind of tubular drain assemblies and their connection to any sink or bathtub;
(4) The replacement in-kind of water closet stop valves, supply tubes, and flushing mechanisms;
(5) The replacement in-kind of any existing plumbing fixture, excluding hot water tanks; and
(6) The replacement in-kind of sections of piping for the water distribution system to repair leaks provided the piping is located aboveground or above the floor in a basement or cellar, and the repair does not encompass more than 20 lineal feet of piping.
| Resident homeowners and appropriately licensed plumbing contractors may make such replacements in-kind to existing installations, consistent with the definition of "replacements in-kind," without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. However, even when plumbing permits are not required, all installations, materials, parts, elements, components, fixtures, fittings, assemblies or systems used in such replacements in-kind must conform to current plumbing code requirements, as well as current BCNYS Building and Energy Code requirements and City Charter, codes and ordinances. |
| No other replacements in-kind of plumbing parts, elements, components, fixtures, fittings, assemblies or systems may be made in existing one and two family dwellings without first obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. |
D. Replacements in-kind to plumbing installations at existing commercial buildings which are limited to:
(1) The replacement in-kind in part or whole of any faucet, or supply tubes and fixture stops attached to said faucet;
(2) The unblocking of stoppages of drains, which does not entail cutting out any section of drain past the fixture trap;
(3) The replacement in-kind of tubular drain assemblies and their connection to any sink or bathtub;
(4) The replacement in-kind of water closet stop valves, supply tubes, and flushing mechanisms; and
(5) The replacement in-kind of urinal flush valve systems.
| Maintenance personnel and appropriately licensed plumbing contractors may make such replacements in-kind to existing installations, consistent with the definition of "replacements in-kind," without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. However, even when Plumbing Permits are not required, all installations, materials, parts, devices, assemblies, systems and fixtures used in such Replacements in-kind must conform to current plumbing code requirements, as well as current BCNYS Building and Energy Code requirements and City Charter, codes and ordinances. |
| No other replacements in-kind of plumbing parts, elements, components, fixtures, fittings, assemblies or systems may be made in existing commercial buildings without first obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. |
E. Service work to existing plumbing installations at existing one- and two-family dwellings which is limited to:
(4) Pumps.
| Resident homeowners, factory-certified service technicians, and appropriately licensed plumbing contractors may perform periodic service work on such installations without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. However, even when Plumbing Permits are not required, all installations, materials, parts, devices, assemblies, systems and fixtures used in such service work must conform to current plumbing code requirements, as well as current BCNYS Building and Energy Code requirements and City Charter, codes and ordinances. |
F. Service work to existing plumbing installations at existing commercial buildings which is limited to:
(4) Pumps.
| Factory-certified service technicians, maintenance personnel, and appropriately licensed plumbing contractors may perform periodic service work on such installations without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees. However, even when plumbing permits are not required, all installations, materials, parts, devices, assemblies, systems and fixtures used in such service work must conform to current plumbing code requirements, as well as current BCNYS Building and Energy Code requirements and City Charter, codes and ordinances. |
| A City licensed Master Plumber or Journeyman Plumber who is supervised by a Master Plumber, both of whom are licensed by the City of Buffalo, may, as an employee of a factory or plant, perform plumbing work in such factory or plant. |
G. Installation of listed portable plumbing equipment and appliances at existing one- and two-family dwellings. Homeowners and appropriately licensed handymen and plumbing contractors may make such plumbing replacements in-kind, consistent with the definition of "replacement in-kind," or installations without applying for and obtaining a plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees.
H. Installation of listed portable plumbing equipment and appliances at existing commercial buildings. Maintenance personnel and appropriately licensed handymen, plumbing contractors, and construction managers may make such plumbing replacements in-kind, consistent with the definition of "replacement in-kind," or installations without applying for and obtaining an plumbing permit and paying plumbing permit fees.
I. All other plumbing work must be performed by a plumbing contractor, licensed by the City of Buffalo.
J. All other plumbing work requires a plumbing permit and the payment of a plumbing permit fee. See Flat Fee and Area-Calculated Fee Schedules.
Application for a permit for plumbing work shall be made on forms prepared and provided by the Commissioner and shall be accompanied by an adequate description of the proposed plumbing work.
If a permit is denied, written notice of the reasons for denial shall be provided to the applicant who may submit such revised plans and specifications as are necessary to obtain approval.
Every permit issued by the Commissioner under the provisions of this article shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one year from the date of issuance of such permit or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one year. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be obtained.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the Commissioner from issuing a permit for the installation of part of a plumbing system before the entire plans and specifications of said plumbing system have been submitted or approved, if adequate information and detailed statements have been presented for the same and have been found to comply with this article.
A permit to begin work for new construction or alteration shall not be issued until the fees prescribed have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit necessitating an additional fee because of the additional work involved be approved until the additional fee shall have been paid.
The Commissioner shall condemn any used plumbing material or equipment which is so worn, damaged, defective or constructed as to constitute a sanitary or safety hazard, and such condemned material or equipment shall not be reused for plumbing purposes.
Written notice of any violation of this article shall be given any violators thereof, and upon his failure to remove the violation within a reasonable time but not more than seven days, prosecution for violation of this article shall be commenced against him.
Permits shall be issued in duplicate, one copy to be given to the applicant and one copy to remain on record in the office of the Division of New Construction, upon the applicant's compliance with this article and upon the payment of the fees as provided in Chapter
175, Fees.
[Amended 7-20-2004, effective 8-2-2004]
Whenever the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that work on any building, structure, or lot is being performed in violation of the provisions of the applicable building laws, ordinances or regulations or not in conformity with the provisions of the accepted permit application, plans or specifications and revisions thereof or in an unsafe and dangerous manner or without a required permit, the Commissioner shall notify the owner of the property or the owner's agent to suspend all work, and any such persons shall forthwith stop work and suspend all building activities until the stop-work order has been rescinded. Such order and notice shall be in writing, shall state the conditions under which the work may be resumed and may be served either by delivering it personally or by posting it conspicuously where the work is being performed and sending a copy of it by mail to the address set forth in the permit application.